So I have been thinking lately about how to incorporate technology into our lessons. Some subjects seem to lend themselves well to technology while I tend to think that visual arts and technology really don't go together at all. Of course I'm wrong (that darned fixed mindset!). I know that technology doesn't have to mean "plugged in"...after all, tools and materials are a form of technology too, but the technology I'm thinking of moves beyond the hands-on to the pixels on a computer screen...how can we use computers to support visual arts education?
In my art/Internet adventures, I came upon a pretty cool website by SD 71 here in BC. Here, they offer lesson plans for using computers and Internet to teach visual arts--all linked to BC IRPs and for multiple grade levels! They provide the PLOs, websites for students to access, and software for students to use to create their art projects. Not only do students study the lives and works of great artists like Monet, Picasso, and Van Gogh (and more!), but they hone their research and computer skills as well as have the opportunity to create interesting famous-artist-inspired artwork of their own.
Now...my only question left is this: what do you do with the computer generated art piece? It seems like it might cost a small fortune in printer ink if we were to create hard copies for each student! Hmmm...what about taking the computer-art connection a step further and creating a class blog where they could post computer-generated art? Now where oh where did I get the idea for an art blog from??
Check out this excellent BC resource!
http://www.sd71.bc.ca/sd71/edulinks/art/art.pdf
This looks like a great resource - I am looking forward to exploring it further and sharing it with future classes. Thanks for sharing! Art does not have to hang on a wall, although digital art can, with a digital photo frame. I had hoped that the blogs would help you see that technology has made the arts and arts lessons so much more accessible. Technology can be used to create, store, and share art so easily and in so many ways...have fun exploring!
ReplyDelete