Through the lens of artistic development, the new book, Art and Technology: Innovative K–12 Digital Lessons by Art and Art Education alumni Sheyda Ardalan and Cheryl Adler Iozzo offers over sixty technology-based art lessons for educators. The authors’ pedagogical approach begins with inquiry-based exploratory activities, which are followed by more in-depth digital art lessons that relate to students’ interests and experiences. Each lesson plan includes a description of the art activity, the learning level, the lesson objective, a developmental rationale, a list of materials, and suggested questions to motivate and engage students through dialogue.
As Sheyda Ardalan and Cheryl Adler Iozzo explain:
“Digital technologies provide new ways for youngsters to create meaning and represent their thinking. Either alone or combined with traditional materials, these new means of expression offer the ever-evolving creative mind a broader spectrum of possibilities for visual content. Our experience and observations make it clear that engagement during the digital art making process is enhanced when teachers consider students’ personal experiences and developmental phases when planning technology-based lessons.“
“Our book provides opportunities for educators to learn planning strategies for using technology in their art classrooms, facilitating the development of unique K-12 art lessons based on their unique dynamic classroom settings and the needs of the students. It aims to foster confidence in teachers of all levels to use technology in the creation of lessons that are distinctively their own, are based on the resources available, involve the interests of their students, and include their local culture. Prior to introducing new media, we suggest a strong foundation in the exploration of traditional art materials and using dialogue to promote creative thinking. Included in the book are over sixty lessons that focus on a few digital tools at one time, build on previous knowledge, connect students to their surrounding culture as they navigate through learning challenges, promote individual development, and provide a solid foundation in art making.”
Learn more about the book here.