Back to School

I'm teaching two studio art classes at the University of Memphis this semester and I'm having a great time pouring over old syllabi and looking over some of the project ideas I've come across in the past couple of years. I L O V E* teaching these classes because I get introduced to the newest of new ideas and the most surprising surprises every time we have a critique. Only in Foundations classes am I introduced to disposable camera tasers, spray-tanned inflatable girlfriends, professional drum kits made of professional kitchen supplies, ten-foot tall ping-pong paddles, and any number of surreal photoshop montages.

I'm introducing a new tool to my arsenal this semester--a (hand-me-down) iPod touch. My original plan was to use it just to take attendance, but then I found this great article: 30 Best iPhone Apps for Art Teachers! I'm especially curious about the Life Strips application because the Memphis Reads book this year is a graphic novel, Persepolis.

I'm also planning on bringing in some lo-fi Wallace Stevens jars. To place. In Tennessee.

*did you know that in German, instead of using bold, italics or underlining for emphasis, a space is added between the letters of important words. That means that the word love up there is emphasized in English and G e r m a n and (if you click the hyperlink) Digital-Nativish?