I am currently working on a paper for one of my classes in Educational Adminstration on the use of technology in education, specifically within the Art Program. As I am writing, I began to think about how lucky I am as not only an educator, but as an art educator. I could not ask for a more perfect subject matter than art to fulfill this wish. Art lends itself to the world of technology, in my opinion, more than any other subject. Students who are creative and talented are always looking for ways to push the bar in their work.
Why should I not do the same? My students deserve to use all this knowledge that they have and incorporate it into their talents. We have gamers, photographers, and multi-media artists. Why should we not find ways to incorporate their knowledge of these computer systems, use of mp3's and I-Pods, even cell phones into the curriculum. Whether students are asked to blog on an artist, download how to video off of u-Tube, learn the aspects of creating programs for interactive video, or take quizzes using the Internet on their cell phone...the limits are endless. The hard part is taking the time to implement these things and realize that change can be good.
Yes, this involves a lot of study time on a teacher's behalf, but as far as I can tell...well worth it. And yes, it means I may even have to learn to text on my cell...right now it isn't pretty. But I am sure with practice I too could text with it in my pocket with the best of them!
To get students to love and appreciate what I teach is the most important goal I have... If that means that I need to push the envelope when I teach...then that is what I will do.
