Access to the Arts w/ Technology

A topic on many arts educators mind: what is the role of new media in teaching and learning today in arts classrooms?

Photo taken from Christine Mason Miller's blog

Periodically arts educators ask me questions very similar to the questions in the article recently published in the Harvard Education Letter. What does it mean to be an arts specialist in the digital age? How and when should new media be used? Are the old disciplines blurring? When I was recently interviewed by undergraduate art education students at Montclair State University I was asked a similar question. My response is that we need to embrace new media, incorporate it into our practices, and view it as another tool to add to our bag of teaching techniques in vpa classrooms. I am not suggesting that we eliminate our traditional media but think of this as another or new media. I believe if we don’t we’re missing the boat for our students and jeopardizing arts education programs. Students and the world are different than they were 5 or 10 years ago. They are revolving at a rapid rate and we don’t know what jobs will exist in the future and what skills they will need but I am confident the use of technology and critical thinking will be necessary. Check out the article at the link below.

Schools merge digital tools with arts education
Some schools are using technology to increase students’ access to the arts. A statewide distance-learning program in Alabama is helping students in rural districts fulfill a state requirement that they complete an arts survey course that incorporates dance, music, theater and visual arts. In Arizona, students use computer software to compose original operas and teachers work with visual artists to bring technology-based — as well as traditional — art projects into the classroom. Harvard Education Letter (May/June 2011)