Nina+Hazelton

Tessellation Exploration, Tom Snyder Productions 1. The purpose of this software program is to have the students explore geometric patterns (tessellations) and learn rules governing shapes, it connects art and math for grades 4-8. 2. The category this falls into is problem solving, it uses reasoning, connections and representation of base shapes. 3. A Scenario where I could use this would be during a period for integrated teaching involving art and math. I could use this program with any grade from the above mentioned. The program allows them to take their base shape and manipulate it into a work of art. The students add whatever they want to the shapes to personalize their creation to turn it into an art project. 4. The strengths of this program are that it has won two awards directed for education, it is easy to use, and gives a easy way to learn more that if the students had to cut out each shape and arrange from there. Its weaknesses are that if the program is introduced at an earlier grade, the students might be tired or use to it by a later grade and would not get great results after a few classes. 5. The cost of this program is$79 for one computer, $250 for 5 computers, and goes up from there. It can be purchased from [|www.tomsnyder.com]. The requirements are MAC OS 7.5-8.1, Windows 08 95/98/2000, and 32 MB RAM.

__Creating Patterns From Shapes__, Sunburst Technology. 1. The purpose of this program is for students to strengthen their understanding of radiating and tilting patterns giving a multimedia, hands0on approach, for grade levels 1 to 2. 2. The category this program fall into is drill and practice and problem solving. 3. A scenario where this program could be useful is in a lesson containing Native American basket weaving and Japanese fish print themes. The program has different patterns and ways to manipulate them, teaching ways to complete a pattern for an object. This could be used in with grade, also it is good for integrated teaching with other subjects. 4. A strength of this program is its capability to take a project and break it down to an understandable pattern for the children to understand. A weakness is that it might not help with the entire lesson, only the project part. 5. The cost of this program is $59.95 for the school version and $159.95 for the LAB 10 program. It can be purchased at [|http://store.sunburst.com]. The system requirements are MAC or Windows.

__JumpStart Art__, Knowledge Adventure 1. The purpose of this program is to introduce the fundamentals of art by exploring artists, genres and animation features. It gives students the ability to design their own work and is designed for grade levels K-3. 2. The category this program falls into is tutorials and simulation. 3. This program would be good for an art class learning about different artists from around the world. It would enhance a book lecture by giving pictures and interactive displays to help the students put the names with the faces and art. This could be used repeatedly through the mentioned grades depending on the lesson of the day. 4. The strengths of this program are that it includes printable activities, idea starters, easy-to-use design tools and animation to show a developing visulation. Its weakness is that it is limited to the third grade. 5. The cost of this program is $60, and can be purchased at [|www.knowledgeadventure.com]. COmputer requirements are Windows 98/ME/2000/XP and MAC OS 8.6 or newer and 63 MB RAM.

Artworks Basic 1.9, Fine Art Composition Software for Artists, Artellmedia. 1. This program is more for enhancing and manipulating digital photography, it would be directed more for high school. 2. The category this would fall into would be drill and practice, tutorial and problem solving. 3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> This program would be great in a high school photography class, the students could load their digital photos and enhance them however they wanted or according to an assignment. It allows for experimentation with color effects such as lighting and different color techniques. This would be useful with their art projects, but they could also take pictures, enhance them and add them to projects for many other classes, for reports or something of the same effect. 4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> A strength of this program is that it allows students to manipulate their photos on the computer instead of with different cameras and film, it would save money in the long run. A downfall to this is that they don’t get the experience with different photo techniques if it is not incorporated into the class, the program does most of the work. 5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The cost of the program is $46 and can be ordered at [|www.artellmedia.com]. It is compatible with Windows 98,ME, 2000 Pro, XP and VIsta.

__Crayola Art Studio__. Core Learning. 1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> This program introduces students to realistic art brushes and painting tools, it helps edit and transform digital images for ages 4 and up. 2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> This program falls into the drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, and problem solving categories. 3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> This would be a good program to introduce art techniques to kindergardeners, because they will get a lot of general knowledge without a big mess. This program can be used for art and enhancing other projects from other subjects. 4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> This program is easy to use, it inspires creativity, and has been partnered with Core learning ideas. This program isn’t as good for older children since they will be expecting to use actual materials. 5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The cost of this program is $24.95, and can be purchases [|www.core-learning.com]. The program is compatiable with PC (IBM or Compatible), Windown 98 and up, 128 MB RAM.

_ April Knudsen: Creating Patterns from Shapes

I can see how this software would be useful for integration with social studies. The examples about patterns in other cutlers us used, might be useful when studying other cultures and patters that are important to them.

I do wonder about a weakness being that this software would only help with part of a lesson rather than the whole, in regards to math. Because of this, it would seem that Creating Patters from Shapes would be highly ineffective in the math room. If a school is going to spend money on a software, I believe it should work on many levels, and have a strong link to much of the curriculum.

Nina, Thank you for sharing your software reviews. It is crazy how pricey some of the software can be. It seems that award winning technology is especially up there in price but I guess that it has good results. I think it would be interesting to use the Tessellation software for a geometry class to help them discover how different shpes can fit in or around other shapes. - Jackie Parry

Nina, I think these are excellent reviews. Art is a wonderful aspect of learning and it is sad that not many schools have art programs any longer. I like how you seemed to integrate art in with regular learning. That is an execllent idea. I was never really interested in art when I was growing up, however, I have a child who loves to draw, paint, etc. They do not really have an art program at his school, however, the teachers seem to integrate it within their lessons which I think is wonderful. The middle and high school levels are going to be more diverse in the art program. Espcially since they have entire class periods just for art. Great job on your reviews. - Karin Pruett

The Art Work Basics, seems to jump out at me, because students are more willing to assignments like this if it is their pictures. I know if I had a class like this I would love to take it. This program reminds me of a Web Design class I had in high school, we would have to do assignments to learn new things we could put on our website. While learning the certain concept we would all be doing the same thing, but when we wanted to use the concept on our page we could personalize it!! This sounds like a really good software. Stephanie Zelones

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Lacey Harrison: I dont think I would like the Crayola Art studio for my child. It is probably a fun program, however hands on activites are very important. This might be mess free which is great! but this is one part of where I disagree with technology. Are you in the art department? I saw an art trend with all of your programs :)