Marcia Shannon

Shannon’s innovative teaching idea, “Potters’ Plus,” is focused on using technology and community outreach to create a blended learning environment where students will learn pottery skills, vocabulary and art history through a combination of channels and with an element of control over their own time and pace. Through this program, face-to-face classroom methods are combined with computer-mediated activities and instructional videos for students to learn about techniques and terminology related to pottery. Shannon says students will use tablets to access the Internet and school servers for teacher- and student-developed information.  Students will videotape themselves using the pottery wheel for individual, peer and teacher review. They also will photograph projects using their tablets to create digital portfolios and online galleries to share with classmates and parents, as well as for assessment. After learning various construction skills, students will share and reinforce these skills by hosting classroom visitors and community pottery events, including a fundraiser.