Tuesday, January 25, 2005 1:42 PM CST
Denver students go digital with new graphics lab
By Clara Hudson, Insider Correspondent
The first days of the new semester at Denver High School found art instructor Diane Johnson and her communication images class exploring the new graphics lab, which was installed in August 2004.
A year ago, Johnson, seeking ways to bring more experiences with digital technology into her art curriculum, did some educational research, developed a rationale and specified goals and standards for the creation and use of a graphics lab which she could use in her art classes, primarily communication images.
Armed with the results of her groundwork, Johnson made a Heidemann Fund proposal to the Denver school board in February 2004. The proposal was approved, and she was granted funds for the $30,000 lab in March.
The Heidemann Fund is the result of investments made by the district after the late Albert Heidemann, a Denver area resident, bequeathed his house, 13 acres and some of his investments to the school. The Heidemann estate has been used to fund student and teacher projects as well as scholarships since the early 1980s.
In June, with the help of Superintendent Kathy Waldo-Gilbert and Jason Evans of the Starken Group (who do the technology work at Denver schools), Johnson completed the order for the graphics lab equipment, including two G5 and 11 G4 Apple computers, an LCD projector, an analog-to-digital converter, a color laser printer, 12 Olympus digital cameras, two digital video cameras, two scanners and Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop and Illustrator programs for all the computers.
An old math room with a connecting door to the art room was refurbished with electrical work, and computer tables and a large projection screen were installed in August.
"It's great to have that connecting door," Johnson said "If another teacher isn't signed up for it, I can just move from the classroom to the lab and back when I'm teaching a class."
Although the anticipated second-semester Communication Images class was not available in August, the lab was not idle. Math instructor Tom Stevens used the lab to teach Web page design; elementary students used it to create and illustrate books. It also has been used for speech work, as well as other teacher and student presentations. Robin Loy, an elementary teacher, is planning to produce a video and a news program with her students.
"It's another opportunity for the school system to use the LCD projector, searchers and other creative ways to enhance instruction for Denver students," Johnson said.
Waldo-Gilbert, who credits Johnson with suggesting a Heidemann proposal and encouraged her in the process, agreed.
"I think it's a great opportunity for Denver," she said, "It's probably the only (lab) in the state. Macintosh is good with graphics, and a lot of schools are going to PCs."
Enrollment in the Communication Images class is limited to 12 students. Each student can then have his/her own computer, and the instructor has one as well. Because of the enrollment limit, the class ends up being a junior/senior class, Johnson said. Freshmen are pretty much excluded, since Art I is a prerequisite.
"Students are excited to get digital cameras in their hands," Johnson said. "They want to learn to take better pictures and how to manipulate those pictures."
Students will learn to manipulate digital photos with the use of the Adobe Photoshop program and the Illustrator program. They then will be able to create layouts, brochures, books, illustrations and drawings more efficiently and transfer their skills to out-of-school projects as well.
"Many of these kids have the programs at home," Johnson said. "It's just such a wonderful opportunity for students to learn to use technology in the professional world. These programs are standard out there."
Johnson will be hosting a tour of the lab and an idea-sharing session next month for art teachers from AEA 267
