Article Critique #1
Emily C. Moser
SLM 521
February 2004
Mathews,
Jonathan C. (1997). Computers and Art Education. Clearinghouse, SO028525. Retrieved
Art can be a very
active, hands-on approach to creating and learning, and artists revel in the
tools and materials of their craft. That
is the reason that I, as an art educator, was doubtful of how and when to
implement computer use in the art classroom.
The article I found was the best antidote to my hesitation. It is a very direct delineation of the myriad
excellent reasons to integrate art and computers.
First, the author
introduces the topic of the initial alienation between computers and the arts,
and how, due to advances in technology, computers are now easier to use and more sophisticated in application, becoming a
better tool for the arts. After all, the
computer world is now a world full of imagery.
Icons and computer graphics make it easy to turn the cursor into a paint
brush or other art tool. There is versatility too, for both the new and
advanced student to create rewarding images. Indeed, there are creative challenges, not possible in
any other art medium. It is highly experimental, allowing a student to
explore many possibilities without losing the original sketch, or to integrate multimedia. Finally, all children show interest in using the computer, so a
teacher might reach an otherwise unresponsive learner, and give them an edge in
commercial employment.
There are
advantages for the art teacher as well.
The internet opens up vast resources
for lessons, collaboration, and access to art archives. Being savvy with the computer encourages
professional development, interdisciplinary collaboration, while raising the status of the arts in the school and community.
It sounds like a
win/win situation and this article certainly convinced me. It provided many ideas and reasons I had not
thought of. I will try to implement them
in my own career and classroom.