Bridges

    So I was thinking about the connection between Art and art some more. And then relating both back to education. The images we have looked at for our second week discussion are simple exercises on design principles. I was actually a photography major in college and spend countless nights working things like this out for my own projects (usually to have my 'theories' on human attention torn apart in critique the next day). I have also already started the two photos project. I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge of making a good photo and a less than one.
     But back to linking it to education. I think my group (group 2) had a great discussion going about educational material and how students see it. What catches their eye versus what would catch an adults eye. We were talking about how people are trained to read left to right. And this is very important for young students who are just starting to read. I substituted a kindergarten class the other day and was reading a book out loud for them that had many different pictures and word captions all over the page. Reading upside down (so they could see the pictures) I often found myself missing or going out of order. The little 5 year olds were better at staying left to right and top to bottom and would correct me. But the flow of the book to me was different.
     I think it is very important when designing educational material to know your target audience (what grade/reading level you are aiming for) and see art through their eyes.
    Thats all for today I am off to play in the snow with my puppy (it has finally snowed here in Michigan!)
   - Carolyn