Virtual Learning Network

Kia ora, this is ‘Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori’, the theme this year is ‘Te Kupu o Te Wiki’ - The Word of the Week. Follow this link to explore the language further: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/maori-language-week/100-maori-words

A reminder that the Creative Industries pathway is now published, see link below for the post where documents are attached if you haven't seen them yet in your school. I'd really like to hear what you all think.

I attended the ANZAAE Conference last week, and came away inspired, as I’m sure many others did. The conference organising committee did an amazing job, thank-you to each of you for the many hours of work that you put in for us, on top of your busy lives. I find myself reflecting on the challenges and questions that were presented around inclusion, assessment, creativity, technology, and community. The summary that follows encompasses three weeks, including the holidays. I trust everyone had a chance to rest before plunging into this busy and critical term.

A reminder about folio deadlines for courier pick-up:

• Level 1: Wednesday 22nd October
• Level 2: Wednesday 29th October
• Level 3 and Scholarship: Thursday 6th November

30th June - 6th July 2014

Graphic Design Terms:

• Mike expressed his concern about the sidelining of visual arts to the more narrow fine arts, and the hijacking of the teaching of visual literacy, design aesthetic, and terminology by the Design and Visual Communication subject. He wondered what art associations were doing about this. Jon supported Mike’s thoughts.

• Rene also viewed the terminology cross-over as confusing for students, and focused on the need to inform students and parents, and seek clarification from the NCEA website. 

• Motu responded that he believed DVC focused on Spatial Design and Product Design, and that fundamental to both visual arts and DVC are shared terminology, principles and elements. He felt the differences between well-delivered DVC and Art Design programmes meant that both are valid. Diane agreed with Motu, and felt that DVC and Art Design complement each other.

• Rowena sees no threat, and used the example of using mathematical terms in teaching about the geometry of kowhaiwhai, and that we can capitalise on cross-over to unify student learning rather than isolate it.

• Simon challenged the idea that students become confused, and felt that students at his school understood that design principles and processes can be applied in a range of contexts.

• Suzie supported Simon’s thoughts about student’s learning and applying concepts, terminology and techniques to different contexts. She encouraged professional conversations between DVC and Art Design teachers within schools, working with similarities and differences, and strengthening student understanding through teaching, citing her own examples of conversations initiated in her own setting between teachers and students, for the benefit and inspiration of Art Design students.

• Suzy wondered about the challenges that technology has had in recent years, and noted that the inspiring advisor employed by the technology advisory was previously an art teacher.

• Sudhir felt that this discussion owes much to Bauhaus philosophy, and wondered if art and technology needed to be in a single faculty. He noted that career pathways are based on business models. He pointed out that even the title ‘visual arts’ can be limiting.

Appropriated Imagery in Design:

• John sought suggestions, thoughts and clarification on the use and appropriation of imagery available to design students through Pinterest etc in assignments. His advice to students was to use their own imagery or ensure appropriate manipulation for regeneration. He found Fashion a particular challenge. He referred to the clarifications information saying that appropriated imagery can be a barrier to achievement, but wondered if it was reasonable to expect students to do their own photo shoots for everything.

• Jon responded by saying he had no room for appropriation unless it would be impossible for students to create themselves. He expressed frustration with NZQA for accepting obvious appropriation as he believes this undermines students who produce original work. He suggested looking at fashion brands that sell clothing through cat walk images, and contemporary fashion shots that have a strong street wear feel using everyday folk shot on an average camera, emphasising that its what students do with the image that is important.

Creative Industries Vocational Pathway Launched:

• Copies of the Creative Industry Vocational Pathway, both digital and hard copy, should now be in your schools. You’ll find them attached to this post.

Graduating Teacher Portfolio:

• Candice is half way through her teacher training and looking for suggestions on professional e-portfolios. Jack suggested Weebly, and Tom suggested using Myportfolio.

Photoshop Alternatives:

• Ben is seeking suggestions for alternatives as his school has decided not to pay for photoshop as a subscription, and is aware of GIMP. Rowena suggested pixlr.com for basic editing, and has had some success with year 13 students getting adobe suit themselves on their devices. Rebekah suggested Photoshop Elements.

Top Art in Hamilton - 28th July to 8th August:

• Dawn has asked for RSVPs to her by 28th July (a week’s time) for group visits to Top Art, Block X at Wintec, please add your contact details, number of students, if parking is required, and whether you’d like a tour of the Media Arts facilities including new painting and sculpture studio spaces: dawn.tuffery@wintec.ac.nz  There is also a teachers discussion event Thursday 31st July, at Wintec in Block X, which everyone is invited to.

News From Massey - Application Information:

• Massey College of Creative Arts in Wellington has made changes to 2014 applications to study art or design, see this link to the post for more details related to atomic entry and fast-tracking portfolio assessment.

ASATA - Papercuts Auckland Art Teachers Exhibition:

• September 2nd to 21st at Lake House Arts Centre in Takapuna. Paper is the staring point, an end point, anywhere in between or not at all. Follow this link to register interest: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NNrdpBHwIIu0zN1zBTawdBJVB58kjWxKM5YcD9KQYGM/viewform?usp=send_form

Wallace Exhibbit Secondary School Art Awards:

• Now open for entries, free to enter - illustration, painting, photography and printmaking. Online entry form tsbbankwallaceartscentre.org.nz then click on the ‘Education’ tab. Review this post for further details.

Arts Online Update:

• The arts online website is currently being entirely updated. The decision has been made to discontinue the NCEA Interactive Unit Planner (IUP) service - please make sure you re-save any work into an alternative location if you wish to keep it. The general Arts Interactive Unit Planner will be retained.

7th July - 13th July 2014

Communication Design Portfolio Evening at AUT (South):

• Thursday 31st July, 6-8pm, at AUT South Campus. Any questions, contact David Sinfield (09) 921 9303.

Art Room Renovations:

• This conversation links back to Verity’s request for ideas in late June. 
• Elda is interested in hearing form those who’ve had recent renovations, particularly in regard to ‘modern learning environments’ with innovative spaces and work stations. Tama shared ideas on renovations done at Naenae College and welcomed a visit. Sophie at Scots College also mentioned the new art rooms there. 

Not-Achieved Folio request:

• Sudhir is interested is seeing pics of folios that did not achieve due to lack of evidence of artist models (any discipline).

14th July - 20th July 2014

Google Street Art:

• Rob shared a link to how Google is helping us view street art.

ANZAAE Conference:

• Donna thanked everyone for their support of the ANZAAE Conference at AUT during last week, and has kept all the planning that went into making the conference happen. She is happy to pass this on to the the next region to take on the conference to make the job easier. Carla expressed her thanks to Donna with a word - BRILLIANT.

• Delegates will soon be able to access a Dropbox link to download presentations, once permission has been sought. An email with survey and Dropbox links will be sent out soon. A You Tube channel will also be set up to view video footage of keynotes and featured speakers. Some papers may also be published in the ANZAAe Journal.

• Vicky is keen to receive comments and feedback from audience members at either of Max Gimblett’s two ANZAAE presentations (live or recorded). She would like to pass a summary of personal voices on to him to thanks him for his generous contribution: VMoore-Allen@pukekohehigh.school.nz

• Sally would also like comments she can pass on to Billy Apple, Ngarino Ellis and Robin Woodward, who were all please to be asked to speak at the conference: s.waanders@rosehillcollege.school.nz

• Britt shared her experiences from the conference, and is feeling so excited and inspired she wants to move into secondary art education (currently working in an intermediate school).

• Esther posted a copy of the farewell / closing address to read. If you mail her a black t-shirt and stamped self-addressed envelope by Friday 25th July, she’ll print the conference logo onto it for free. She also has 2 slim fit size 20 Tees left over, first in with $10, first served. Esther’s email is ehansen@pukekohehigh.school.nz

• Bree shared her enthusiasm for the conference, and how much she felt she’d gained from attending. She felt that every sent spent was well worth it. She recommends all art teachers attend the next one!

• Di expressed her thanks to Donna and the organising committee, and Ron and AUT, expressing this I’m sure for all of those who attended.

Pinterest

• I started a ‘Visual Arts Online Community’ Pinterest page, following teachers around New Zealand (and a few other pinners) who pin for their visual arts classes or departments. If you are thinking about setting up a department Pinterest account to support your teaching, you may find this a useful starting point, or use it directly with your classes. Please let me know if we need to be following you. The hours of work that teachers have put into their Pinterest boards is really impressive, with Esther taking the award so far for the most pins - over 17,000! Since Friday evening last week, we have 71 followers (including some students by the look of the boards), and are following 93. Please let me know if you spot any boards that aren’t suitable for classes and let me know so I can unfollow them, I wasn’t quite expecting so much interest and I won’t be able to check over all pins on every board! Visit us: http://www.pinterest.com/visartsonline/following/