As a Digital Media teacher and a total fangirl of Adobe, I often get so excited to introduce my students to Adobe, but feel that this amazing introduction fizzles when students move out of my introduction class and no longer use the tools in other classes. Some move on to upper level classes, but many do not. What is the point of gaining skills and competencies that will soon be forgotten due to disuse? How do we get those creative skills to translate into other classes more seamlessly so students can continue to grow on their path toward digital citizenship? How do we allow for a more integrated approach to digital creative learning for students while still providing experience with high end "grown up" software that prepares students with 21st Century Skills? In a conversation with one of the Principal Product Managers at Adobe, Tom Nguyen, we talked a lot about what is currently happening in my Digital Media class at New Tech High. He asked all the great "empathy" questions to get a better understanding of his end-users' pains and likes. I answered from the teacher's perspective, but in reality, I know it's so much more powerful to get the students to give their input and thoughts about becoming new Adobe Creative Cloud users. Based on our conversation, my understanding of Tom's inquiry question is in alignment with my own questions as a Digital Media teacher. "How do we get Adobe tools into the hands of students so that they can continue to deepen their creative skills and their understanding of core concepts in all other curriculum? How do we eliminate the obstacles that currently exist in getting students access to Adobe software? What are essentials and what are the extra fun things needed in order to draw students in?
So, I propose that we bring in the students and open up the conversation. I've invited my students to comment on this blog post and answer a few of the questions I've got for them. And if you are not one of my Digital Media students but have something to say, you are welcome to join in on the conversation! Please leave your comments!
If we want to move ahead and truly prepare our students for the future, we need to provide access to the tools needed to succeed, and not just in an isolated computer lab. What do YOU think? How can we get there? What would you like to see in the education world? What would be ideal? Where can we integrate Adobe knowledge with other Common Core and STEM knowledge?
24 Comments
Maria Comstock
5/11/2016 08:08:23 am
1 I think the biggest "must have" tools are: The selection tool, The move tool, The clone stamp, and the Hand tool.
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Mrs. G.
5/11/2016 08:34:31 am
Maria,
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2/7/2017 10:55:41 am
Oh my goodness, I didn't see your reply until just now. If you still want the answer, my brother had the account (I think he got it for your class) and I just used his log in details. The funny thing is that it expired on his computer the end of last year, but mine still works. 5/11/2016 08:16:11 am
Which tools in Photoshop would you consider to be an absolute "must-have" when first learning Photoshop?
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5/11/2016 08:20:03 am
1.Which tools in Photoshop would you consider to be an absolute "must-have" when first learning Photoshop?
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5/11/2016 08:20:51 am
Which tools in Photoshop would you consider to be an absolute "must-have" when first learning Photoshop?
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Makenzie Troedson
5/11/2016 08:39:59 am
Which tools in Photoshop would you consider being an absolute "must-have" when first learning Photoshop?
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5/11/2016 08:47:51 am
I think students need examples, how are we to know how to apply any of these tools without inspiration. How could I use Adobe to my advantage in an English presentation? Here are my thoughts on the questions given:
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Cesar Castro
5/11/2016 09:30:01 am
1) The tools that are a must have are the quick selection tool, gradient tool, selection tool, and the liquefy tool for fun!
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Bee Healy
5/11/2016 12:35:29 pm
Which tools in Photoshop would you consider to be an absolute "must-have" when first learning Photoshop?
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Alex Saslow
5/11/2016 04:57:03 pm
For a completely different viewpoint: I have next to no experience with Photoshop.
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Lisa
5/11/2016 06:35:40 pm
Yes!
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Cole Hawkins
5/11/2016 08:53:56 pm
1. Definitively the selection tool. You can't even do beginner Photoshop without the selection tool.
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Mackenzie Cole
5/12/2016 10:36:36 am
1)Which tools in Photoshop would you consider to be an absolute "must-have" when first learning Photoshop?
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Meghan Morrison
5/12/2016 06:46:38 pm
Honestly, it's been quite some time since I touched photoshop last year, and I don't even really remember what tools I used most frequently. I mean, I definitely remember that transparency was a big deal, and being able to edit things really nicely.
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Daisy Farella
5/13/2016 08:26:18 am
1. The selection tool is a must have when first learning Photoshop. It is easy to use and can create some great work when you get more comfortable.
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Grant Hall
5/13/2016 11:30:45 am
1. I feel the absolute must have tools in Photoshop are the things like the selection tool, crop tool, edit tool, layer (tools), lasso tools, erase tools, and other simple tools seen in other programs.
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Stephanie Sabre
5/13/2016 12:18:19 pm
Which tools in Photoshop would you consider to be an absolute "must-have" when first learning Photoshop?
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5/13/2016 12:20:05 pm
1) I consider that the selection tool is the absolute must have when first learning Photoshop. It is easy to use and it is very useful for manipulating photos.
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Martin Alvarez
5/17/2016 07:02:54 pm
1. Which tools in Photoshop would you consider to be an absolute "must-have" when first learning Photoshop?I consider the biggest must have tools are the selection tool, the fill tool, and the shape tools.
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Adriana Solorio
5/26/2016 02:35:03 pm
1. Which tools in Photoshop would you consider to be an absolute "must-have" when first learning Photoshop? In photoshop a absolute must have for me would be the selection tool. When I first got to work in photoshop that was definitely the tool I used the most.
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5/27/2016 09:05:08 am
1. Which tools in Photoshop would you consider to be an absolute "must-have" when first learning Photoshop?
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Jennifer Borges
5/27/2016 11:42:32 am
1. I think a "must have" for me would be the selection tool because I believe it is an easy tool to use if you are a beginner like me.
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Arthur L. Wallis
5/27/2016 11:45:47 am
1. The quick selection tool, the zoom tool and the clone stamp tool.
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AuthorLisa Gottfried is a CTE teacher with 20 years experience as CEO of her own Video and Motion Graphics Production house. She currently teaches Digital Design at New Technology High School and at Touro University in the Masters of Innovative Learning program. She loves her job and her students! Archives
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