Blog Post #13

How can you integrate technology and art into your classroom?

Read Integrating the Arts with Technology: Inspiring Creativity and present your findings from this article. Then give your thoughts about technology and art and provide any websites you find.

Including the arts into your classroom daily can be hard to do but the reward is outstanding! It benefits everyone in the classroom and raises class morale. The arts provide an opportunity for self expression and personal reflection. Children with disabilities can use art as a way to get away from their disability and be creative. Art can sometimes become boring to students. Integrating technology into art is a fun way to get students involved and motivated. With technology it is easy to bring artists to life and make them fun to learn about. Students with learning disabilities can try out different learning methods through computers with graphics that are eye-catching and memorable. Art websites create a new world for creativity and learning. Combining art and technology can break down barriers and jump-start learning.

As with all teaching techniques, it is important to be well versed in the technology you are using. Most websites have tutorials to help you out. Make sure to browse through the entire site and learn ways to accommodate for disabled students. Search for helpful websites with new ideas. Websites like JamStudio, ArtWeaver, and Art Partners were suggested by this article.

I think that art is very important in a classroom, especially in elementary where I am wanting to teach. With children growing up in an age of technology it only makes sense to combine art and technology to expand their learning. I hope to have iPads and a SmartBoard in my classroom. The possibilities would be endless! I believe art should be hands-on but integrating technology could open a new world for all students. One great site for both learning about an artist and creating art is JacksonPollock.org.