Module 4: Utilizing Technology in the Art Classroom

Advantages

There are many advantageous ways to utilize and incorporate technology into art classrooms:

·         Accessing Art Examples- Being able to show art students images at the click of a mouse is priceless! Google Images is my go-to since it’s fast, simple and can be accessed from any device connected to the internet. Other sites allow students to interact with, see and learn about art (& works of art) it in a fun kid-friendly way. e.g.:  MoMA Learning , NGAkids: ARTZONE, smARTkids, and ARTSEDGE: The Kennedy Center  “Faculty who are web savvy can create interactive websites to help students learn color theory, design theory and photography techniques.” (Doering & Roblyer, 2013, p.367) Teachers can also utilize Microsoft Powerpoint or Zoho Docs to create presentations for classes.

 

MoMa Learning Video:

 

·         Digital Projects Created by Students- By letting your students use digital cameras, video cameras, scanners, online tools, apps or computer software, they can create video, digital photography or graphic arts projects. Some schools even let their students come up with school advertisements, calendars, notes, banners, tshirt designs etc.- it is a great idea, it empowers students in a positive way and it cuts down on costs! Some resources the book mentions: Photoshop Elements, iMovie, Movie Maker, GarageBand & Gimp. One downside is that the materials are very expensive!

 

·         Virtual Field Trips- “Through virtual tours available at many sites, students can “visit” museums and see great works of art that serve as illustrations of artists’ work and models for their own work.” (Doering & Roblyer, 2013, p.358) Most children in American will probably never get to visit the Louvre in Paris and see Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa; the N.G.A. in Washington or MoMA in NYC. If we can’t do it in person, do it online! Many major museums are making strides to improve Virtual Visits! “Some museum sites even make their server available for students to post their own creations…” (Doering & Roblyer, 2013, p.369). NGA Virtual Tour

Disadvantages

“Many arts educators have resisted pressure to use computers and other instructional technologies, complaining about the contradiction inherent in blending impersonal machines with traditionally humanistic endeavors.” (Doering & Roblyer, 2013, p.354)

 

·         No matter how many fantastic art websites you direct your students to, this does not replace making art with their own hands. While I believe integrating technology into art classrooms is important, I also believe in turning off the technology & creating something!

·         Materials for digital projects are EXPENSIVE! Digital cameras, video cameras, printers, ink, paper, scanners, software and the computers needed to make all this work- cost a lot! Sadly, art funding isn’t a huge priority. L

·         Even though Virtual Field Trips are a great solution in some situations, there is  no substitute for getting students out there to let them see first-hand just how thick Van Gogh applied paint and how small the Mona Lisa really is!

Virtual Museums- Good or Bad?