For this blog post I am going to concentrate on how technology has made an impact within art education, and to consider the positive and negative effects on encouraging creativity. Art and Design as a subject, lends itself to learning through experimentation, making mistakes, visual references and experiences. Students are often encouraging to take control of the learning process and gain knowledge through active engagement. So can information and communication technology improve creative learning?
The internet has definitely revolutionised how information can be accessed and increased communication channels for social and business purposes. I found this quote by M.Selinger describing his view of The Web, he states 'The Internet is the world’s largest library, but it is also a huge junkyard, and has been described as a library where all the books have been thrown on the floor' (Selinger, 1999). It's an interesting view and one that I would agree with, though this resource can be beneficial for learning, it might not always be positive. Teachers have to be mindful that students gain knowledge from a wide variety of options and not just solely relying on the internet.
In the context of art education, The Web has become an integral resource and provides an opportunity for students to access 'a rich and diverse range of material' (Ash, 2000). Students are often encouraging to keep sketchbooks and diaries as a way of gathering and recording findings, and ideas. This process can help to promote creative thinking skills and also provide an opportunity for the teacher to assess their groups understanding of a brief or project. The ICT resource has become a great place for conducting research and is easily accessed on a variety of digital devices.
It has been interesting to see how technology has been implemented within the Foundation Art and Design course, where I am currently completing my teaching placement. The students who have selected visual communication for their specialist subject, have created some fantastic projects that combine photography, video, sound, graphic design and music. The learners have really grasped technology and used the resources to be creative and individual. Other areas of the art department including 3D, fine art and fashion/ textiles use computers, photocopies and phones for researching, creating digital illustrations, posters and repeat patterns. It is really exciting to see how technology can be used in a creative and innovative way.
Art will always be led by discovery, whether that be through some practical mediums such as painting, performance or clothing design or through working with interactive possibilities such as wearable tech, videos or digital installations. The possibilities are endless and there is no right or wrong, art can be whatever it wants to be. Technology certainly opens up opportunities, especially for teachers to 'support creative thinking, promote critical thinking, foster problem solving and enhance understanding' (McDougall et al, 2010, p. 51). Technology has without doubt changed how lessons can be taught, how information can be reached and open up an abundance of opportunities for learners to engage with. But I do also feel that students benefit so much from direct experiences, and become more empowered with opportunities 'to be active in the creative process of art making' (Ash, 2000).
With Technology progressing at such a rapid rate, it will be interesting to see how Art and Design education responds to this, and whether more emphasis for the integration of IT modules will be including within the curriculum.
Selinger, M. (1999) ICT and classroom management, in Hickman, R (eds) Art education 11-18: meeting, purpose and direction. London: Continuum, p. 84.
Ash, A. (2000) Bite the ICT Bullet: Using the World Wide Web in Art Education, in Hickman, R (eds) Art education 11-18: meeting, purpose and direction. London: Continuum, p. 93.
McDougall, A, Murnane, J, Jones, A and Reynolds, N. (2010) Researching IT in Education: The theory, practice and future directions. Abingdon: Routledge.
Ash, A. (2000) Bite the ICT Bullet: Using the World Wide Web in Art Education, in Hickman, R (eds) Art education 11-18: meeting, purpose and direction. London: Continuum, p. 86.
Life zone - interactive audio visual art exhibition
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