An Exploratory Study of Apache Middle School Students' Computer Animation.

Autor/inn/en	Stokrocki, Mary; Buckpitt, Marcia
Titel	An Exploratory Study of Apache Middle School Students' Computer Animation.
Quelle	(2000), (26 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Monographie
Schlagwörter	American Indian Education; Apache; Art Education; Computer Attitudes; Computer Games; Computer Graphics; Indigenous Populations; Middle School Students; Middle Schools; Participant Observation; Sex Differences; Technology; Arizona + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Arts; Education; Art in Education; Kunst; Bildung; Erziehung; Computer game; Computerspiel; Computerspiele; Computergrafik; Sinti und Roma; Middle school; Middle schools; Student; Students; Mittelschule; Mittelstufenschule; Schüler; Schülerin; Teilnehmende Beobachtung; Sex difference; Geschlechtsunterschied; Technologie
Abstract	The paper describes a participant observation study of a 3 week summer art program for Apache middle school students on the White Mountain Reservation. Computer art skills, specifically animation using a menu-driven computer paint program, were the focus of the investigation. Because it was in the context of a summer program, instruction was laissez-faire on the whole. A number of themes and issues emerged, although conclusions are tentative since this is an exploratory study. One issue addressed is a traditional respect for land and animals versus an attraction to popular culture. Another issue is a lack of time and serious attitudes toward art which resulted in a tension between computer play versus computer thinking. A third issue is lack of invention; students seemed resistant to creating their own artwork. Younger students seemed less reliant on such tricks, and there was evidence of more accomplished results from younger students than older ones. Gender and social differences arose, such as boys trying more advanced effects but with less perseverance than girls. Themes of nature versus free drawing seemed to contradict Gardner's "free drawing" theory and support Wilson's assertion that cultural environment has an effect on content. The most significant theme that emerged is that Apache students create stories as life-affirming relationships instead of emphasizing on plot development and intense activity. The paper closes with recommendations about a more hands-on instructional approach to teaching computer animation, a call for more research on teaching computer animation, and greater use of computer programs among minority populations. (Contains 33 references.) (KC)
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC