Art and Technology

Learn how to use digital technologies to provide a rich new entry-point for art students to make meaning, express their thoughts, and visualize their ideas. Through the lens of artistic development, this book offers a wide-ranging scope and sequence of over 50 technology-based art lessons. Each lesson plan includes the art activity, learning level, lesson objective, developmental rationale, list of materials, and suggested questions to motivate and engage students. The text also includes images of student work, students at work, and the environment of the classroom (many in full color). The authors’ pedagogical approach begins with inquiry-based exploratory activities followed by more in-depth digital art lessons that relate to students’ interests and experiences. With knowledge of how technology can be used in educationally sound ways, educators are better equipped to advocate for the technological resources they need. By incorporating technology into the art classroom—as a stand-alone art medium or in conjunction with traditional studio materials—teachers and students remain on top of 21st-century learning with increased opportunities for innovation.

Book Features:

• Guidance for technology use in the K–12 art curriculum, including specifics for adopting sequential strategies in each grade.
• Cost-effective strategies that place teachers and students in a position to explore and learn from one another.
• Developmental theories to help art teachers and curriculum designers successfully incorporate new media.
• Engaging digital art lessons that acknowledge the role technologies play in the lives of today’s young people.
• Novel approaches to art education, such as distance learning, animation, 3D printing, and virtual reality.

Sheyda Ardalan is a professional fine artist, an art teacher at Greenwich High School in Greenwich, CT, and a former adjunct professor of art and art education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Cheryl Adler Iozzo is an art teacher at North Street Elementary School in Greenwich, CT. She was named Greenwich Teacher of the Year in 2014 and was a 2015 CT Teacher of the Year Semifinalist. Cheryl is also a practicing artist.

“Here, we see how two gifted teachers negotiate a network of digital sources, selecting, reflecting, and translating them into learning challenges that support creative development. The copious lesson plans included here not only promote individual development but do so by engaging with the digital media in collaborative learning and by connecting young people to their surrounding culture.”
—From the Foreword by Judith M. Burton, Macy Professor of Education, Teachers College, Columbia University

“Excellent concepts and ideas for K–12 art teachers interested in applying new media and digital art to their art curriculum! The book offers an ideal structure and scope to introduce digital art in the art classroom, including age-appropriate lesson plans, legal issues, and foundations of children’s artistic development, as well as diverse and rich media resources. Your students will love the many hybrid concepts and projects and exploring famous artists and their works as an extension of art history. One of the book's strengths is that all projects and lessons are developed and presented as applicable and time-tested in the art classrooms by two seasoned art educators.”
—Ryan Shin, professor, art and visual culture education, University of Arizona School of Art

“Based on solid theories, Art and Technology: Innovative K–12 Digital Lessons is a comprehensive book for using technology in art rooms. From basic digital technology to advanced virtual reality, this book covers K–12 art education. With clear and creative lesson plans, everyone will be able to develop fun and meaningful digital art lessons—no matter the teacher’s fluency with technology.”
—Sandrine Han, associate professor, The University of British Columbia

“This book presents a variety of practical digital media-based lessons that are well-suited to contemporary K–12 art classrooms. The authors speak to the conceptual problem-solving opportunities that digital technologies can provide, as well as to the potential challenges related to the use of digital tools in K–12 settings.”
—Robert W. Sweeny, professor and coordinator of art education, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Contents

Foreword  by Judith M. Burton  v

Preface vii

Acknowledgments viii

Introduction 1

1  Technology, the Student, and the Teacher 3
Comparing Traditional Art Material to Technology 3
Experiencing Technology in the Art Classroom 3
Planning and Teaching Digital-Art Lessons 6

2  Understanding Artistic Development 8
Philosophies of Artistic Development 8
Elementary Students: Artistic Development 9
Secondary Students: Artistic Development 13

3  Planning Digital Art Lessons 18
Inquiry-Based Learning 19
Standards and Assessment 21
Policy and Legal Issues 22
Getting Help and Finding Resources 23
Understanding the Lesson Plan Format 23

4  Innovative Digital Art Lessons for Elementary Students 24
Kindergarten Lessons 25
First-Grade Lessons 29
Second-Grade Lessons 33
Third-Grade Lessons 36
Fourth-Grade Lessons 39
Fourth- and Fifth-Grade Lessons 43
Fifth-Grade Lessons 48

5  Innovative Digital Art Lessons for Secondary Students 51
Introductory Lessons 52
Intermediate Lessons 64
Advanced Lessons 80

6  Conclusion: Digital Art and Distance Learning 97

Appendix A. Cost-Effective Technology Resources for the Art Room 100

Appendix B. Implementing Virtual Reality 101

Appendix C. Thoughts on 3-D Printing 103

Resources 105
References Cited 105
Suggested Readings 106

Index 109

About the Authors 112