Tools to Create By

For this weeks tech play, I wanted to stick with the idea of using hand held devices for creating content. I focused on using the iPad as the platform and started by searching the App Store for educational art apps. There is no shortage of apps that will let you draw on the iPad. I knew this before opening the app store but still wanted to see what other types of art apps I could find that would be useful in the classroom.

I found quite a few apps of interest, some published for use in a museum, others used to curate a virtual museum on the iPad. Though these apps where useful for viewing art, they did not help a person create art so I put these on my list of apps to explore later. After viewing several drawing apps, I came across one called DrawCast which allows you to using your finger to draw a picture.

As I mentioned before, there are several drawing apps available in the App Store and each one allows you create a picture to some extent. The reason I would suggest DrawCast to my students is it allows you to use the function and technique of layering to make images. The brush controls are very fine in this app, allowing for the building up of colors like when using paints. Also, as you work, you can make different layers, like in Photoshop for more content creation control.

The real selling point of DrawCast is the attached online community. You have to create an account, which is free, but this allows you to follow other people and comment on their artwork as well as they commenting on your work. This function can be useful in that critique can happen in this space. While testing out this app, I didn't see any honest critique happening as most comments where the default 'You're Awesome!' and 'Wow! So cool!', but because students can find each other by username, you can have students leave feedback that would help the artist grow as they continue to make art.

Another really useful feature of this app is the ability to watch the artist create the image you are viewing. If you tap the image, a video streams to your device and you can see the steps taken to make the piece right before your eyes. This is extremely useful in that the students can see view the process the artist used to make the piece. This can be useful pedagogically in that students can see how the steps of creation is not some magical process that happens behind closed doors but a step by step technique based on the foundations we talk about in class. The only drawback to this video feature is the lack of controls for video playback. There is no pause or rewind feature, once you start to watch a piece being created you have to watch through to the end.

An advantage to using this app over physical paints or drawing materials in class is students can practice the technique of layering and building up colors on a canvas without having to buy painting supplies first. Does using this app on the iPad replace painting or drawing on canvas? No, but it does help to give students a real tangible experience before venturing into painting or drawing.

The others apps I played with were, Pixlr Express+, this is a photography app that lets you apply color correction to your photos along with different effects and overlays. Snapseed, another photography app but more like Photoshop in it's function than say Instagram. ArtSite, this app lets you make gallery exhibits in a virtual museum and share that museum with others. This one requires a years subscription ($10) for the teacher and is free for the students. I think once in my class I will use this app with my students. Cropped, is a shortened history of Graphic Design. It's pretty neat information but only information, no content creation is available.