I can't seem to find the orginal post about this but someone was using this online art program and loved it.

I did visit the site but still have a few questions if someone has the time.

Can I use this on multiple computers or just on the computer the program is downloaded on? I'm thinking this would be a good program to do at grandma's or the babysitter's, etc but I don't want to download it everywhere.

Do we really need each child have their own account? (I know they prefer you get a license and account for each child but is it really necessary?) I'm not too worried about the grade tracking, I can do that separately.

Also, are you doing any off-the-computer art? I think I would like to add a small project to go along with each unit that is more "hands on" art. (we like to dig in and get messy around here). So any thoughts or suggestions on that would be appreciated too.

Thanks in Advance,

Char

I have just used lesson 1, and we were able to use it on multiple computers.  The entire program is online, so you log in with your ID and access the entire thing.  My DS did part of the lesson on my computer and then the independent drawing on his own computer.  I am  not sure if you have to download the Corel program or not as I already have that particular program on my program.  But, the Corel paint program is only used in the independent activity section, not for the lessons.

The program asks the child questions and tracks their answers, giving them a "score" and rewards in the form of artists cards and puzzle pieces if they answer correctly.  So if you only have one license you are only going to be able to track one child's performance, only get one set of rewards, etc.  My 6 y.o. is our registered student and my 3 y.o. just watches the lessons.  They can both use the painting program, answer questions or whatever, but my 6 y.o. is the one who gets "credit" for anything that is done. 

Here's a blog that has information about the discount:

http://sbees.blogspot.com/2007/05/geeart-alert.html

We signed up now to get a full year's access for @ $27.

We actually use FIAR off and on here, and that curriculum has art as a component as well.  I have tons of craft and hands-on art books for the kids (but I'm not a hands-on kind of gal so they don't get used much).  As far as doing art, we have crayons, stencils, pens, pencils,  paper and other materials that aren't messy available all the time.  The paints and modelling clay I don't get out often as I have a not quite 2 y.o. underfoot.  We also work with various manipulatives- magnetic pattern blocks, tangrams, Legos, and other materials.  The Gee Art for our family is more for art appreciation.  There are plenty of free craft ideas online for doing basic hands-on stuff. ;-) 

There are some really good art books from Usborne that work well. We're current;y using two for our art lessons. They have several series of books that give step-by-step directions for painting, drawing, crafts, etc. Great for those of us who are creativity-challenged.  I especially like some of the Usborne kid kits. I have one here that is a butterfly shrinky dinks mobile kit. It includes EVERYTHING needed to complete the project, really - evererything - including stapler and scissors. (When I say "I have one here" I don't mean that in the "on my bookshelf for someone to swap" way, sorry. It's on my Usborne bookshelf as books I can't fathom giving away and one day I will actually get it out and do the project with my kids!) :-)

I used to be (and maybe will again sometime in the future once I have no more babies at my feet!) an Usborne books consultant, so I still  have lots of contacts if you want to find the books outside of PBS. Send me a PM and I'll be happy to connect ya.