BP5_2009102_Researching and Blogging about Web 2.0

There is so much out there for the web 2.0 tools that is difficult to figure out which ones I want to talk about. But let me start off with one that am somewhat familiar with. Google SketchUp. http://sketchup.google.com/ I use this tool in my Drawing and Architectural Drafting classes to help me teach the students about different topics. This tool helps in different ways in regards with my Drawing class. When I am teaching 1 point and 2-point perspective, I often will start off by teaching the students on the whiteboard to try to get the basics of the techniques. Afterward I begin to use other method to show examples and this is where SketchUp helps in the demonstrations. SketchUp allows you to create a building in a 2-point perspective and the ability to apply texture to the buildings and also control the sun’s location to create shadows determined by the time of day. With the aide of this tool, I am able to demonstrate, texture, perspective, light and shadow.

The next site is one that my students often use and allows me to take a look at some of the art that they are creating on their own and posting onto the internet so that others can see and comment on its called deviantART. Its more of a tool to allow student to share their work, I would almost picture it as an online art gallery that anyone has the ability to post artwork. Students like to see what other kids their age are creating and also figure out what types of programs are they using to create the art. I hope to incorporate this website into the class so that every student has to have an account and must post their artwork. This could make it easier for me to take a look at their artwork for grading if needed. http://www.deviantart.com/

The last web 2.0 tool I have found and haven’t had the time to play with it too much, but the time I have spent with it, I have really enjoyed it and hope to get a chance to explore the possibilities. Its called Pencil. Located at http://www.pencil-animation.org/index.php?id=Home This s a great website that anyone can download the animation program to create traditional animation cartoons using bitmap and vector graphics similar to Flash, but free. The website has a forum to communicate with the other members, user manuals and a gallery. I think this will be a great asset to my graphic art classes.