Visual Language

Expanding the Hybrid Model

Last semester I taught VL1 which was composed of both traditional and virtual-learning elements (hybrid). The course had a website, and although we had weekly face-to-face class sessions/critiques, many assignments and communication with the instructor (me) took place by email (online), or through interactive blogging and enhanced podcasting.

Here's a list of links for the virtual-learning elements:

Course Web Site
2D Web Gallery
Visual Language Blog (with links to student blogs)

Below you will find the link to the podcast we created that consists of 4 student presentations that include audio and slideshows of their first assignments. To subscribe to the podcast:

1. Launch iTunes
2. Go to the Advanced menu and choose Subscribe to Podcast
3. Enter this link: http://portal.nettrice.us/podcast.xml
4. Click OK

Here's a few of the supplemental web sites explored by students in class:

VCEART
Color Worqx
Art: 21

A few students were directed to online tutorials, or articles that addressed all or most of the 2D concepts with technical applications based on their interests. For example, I provided this link to a student interested fashion illustration and needing to learn Photoshop/Adobe CS:

Computer Arts: Create a stylish fashion illustration

These resources combined addressed multiple learning styles and challenged most of the students to apply what they learned in new and interesting ways. At most, two assignments dealt directly with Photoshop and students were encouraged to explore traditional printmaking, collage, assemblage, photography, grafitti, and painting. Using the blog and in-class presentations I was able to reiterate the concepts from the required text, "Launching the Imagination".

posted by Nettrice @ 7:13 AM