Power Point as an Instructional Tool

           This assignment was very enjoyable and beneficial because I can take what I learned in Power Point and about the Corel Painter with me to my classroom.  I have created many power points before, but I have never really had to focus on using it to instruct on its own, so I had to use a slightly different mindset.  It was interesting, and I see how that could really help students get the idea down.  

I had never used Corel Painter before nor had I ever heard of it, but I enjoyed that program very much. I am not artistic really at all, but I always have enjoyed trying and playing with pictures.  This program was so much fun, and I love that you have so many choices with just a click.  The only problem I encountered was an error in the software on my computer I believe because it did not like it when I tried to use the pen to try to draw or paint.  I had to just use the mouse, but it still worked great with selecting and drawing.  I think that Corel can be such a great tool to have in the classroom.  It is a fun way to incorporate art into subject areas as well as incorporating technology also.  I think it could be very useful for the students to create pictures to go along with a story they are reading or even a story they are writing as well. The pattern pen in particular could add different elements to their picture, and it could help the children see the different effects in the Corel Painter while they play with the various colors and designs.  I want to work in the younger elementary grades, and when this is introduced it can be an effective way to get the students to appreciate and use art.  They can use Corel to create a picture to predict an ending of a book, or the teacher can have them tell a part of the story through pictures to assess their understanding.  It would be a great to get the students using technology and interested in technology, and it will get them interested in different elements of art at a young age.  I felt very comfortable using Corel, and it was fun even to explore the areas I was unfamiliar with to see what I could find.