Poster Proceedings »
17 Deepening Knowledge through Visual Arts and Technology
In many cases, instruction of the arts has unfortunately been pushed to the back-burner. Issues such as time constraints, funding, and the push for more emphasis in the core areas are some of reasons why the arts is not common place in some of our schools. Also, in some opinions, the arts is seen as just something fun for students to do when time permits and they don’t really see the connection with learning. However, research has shown that VAPA instruction in the classroom improves students’ overall academic performance, creativity, confidence, motor skills, and focus. It also teaches the students about perseverance and collaboration. These are some skills that are required to be 21st century learners and help our students grow in ways in which they will be able to compete in the global market one day.
The premises behind my presentation is to share the project that I have been working on in my District to show how there doesn’t have to be a disconnect between visual arts and deepening knowledge across multiple content areas. Through an interactive technology platform, students are exposed to a master artist. They learn about the artist’s history and contribution to the art world. They explore what techniques or style made that artist memorable. Throughout the interactive experience, students engage with Dr. Sandra Kaplan’s Prompts of Depth and Complexity and Content Imperatives to provide more depth and complexity to what they are learning. Throughout this journey, there is also a link to one or more content areas besides just the VAPA standards. For example, Georgia O’Keeffe is known for her close up paintings of flowers so there is a shown connection to science and parts of a flower. M.C. Escher is known for his tessellations which have mathematical ties as his idea behind metamorphosis is science based.
Upon completion of the interactive presentation, students must complete a frame, which is another instructional tool for Gifted and Talented students. This is where they synthesize their understanding of the “big idea” of the interactive presentation by answering final questions tied around the various content areas, information about the artist and make connections through use of the Prompts of Depth and Complexity, Content Imperatives, Math Icons, etc. This presentation will hopefully enable attendees to see that there is indeed various skills associated with teaching visual arts that overall help the students become more knowledgeable and well rounded.