Learning about Fine Art on the Web

Project:
The second grade level at Hughes Elementary in Syracuse NY will learn how to navigate a variety of art websites using the internet.

Project Team:
Nicole Kissel – fulltime art teacher at Hughes Elementary, enrolled Syracuse University student in the IDDE class

Rakeem Christmas – fulltime graduate student at Syracuse University

Support Second grade staff at Hughes:  Ms. Pawelek, Ms. Addai, & Mr. Marzullo

Needs Assessment: 

• Hughes elementary is an inner city school with limited technology resources. The current art class does not include any web based lessons. Because digital learning and media is such a part of our youths culture, there is a need to integrate the use of technology into the art classroom to stay relevant.

• Based on the NYS and National Standards, specifically Standard 3, responding to and analyzing works of art, and Standard 4, understanding the cultural dimensions and contributions of the arts.

• Nicole Kissel is the current art teacher at Hughes Elementary. At this time there is no web driven lessons. It is the teams desire to teach the children how they can learn about art on the internet.

Goals and objectives of the project:

• The first goal of the team is for the second grade students to learn how to navigate the art websites independently.  The second is to show growth in their web ability as well as show growth in their art knowledge.

• Objectives:  Students will be able to show their teacher how to find the web sites on their own. They will also be able to explain how to navigate through the websites without help. They will have significant growth in their assessments of their fine art/museum knowledge after this unit is completed

Target Audience:

• Second grade at Hughes Elementary, Syracuse NY
• 3 classes
• Approximately 63 students

Technology or technologies to be used (what, how, why use):

• The technology room at Hughes Elementary School
• Internet access with specific age appropriate Art websites
• Smartboard

What the final product will include:

• Pre assessment based on the websites to give the team a starting point.  Instructional materials for each specific web sites that the team introduces to the group. Post assessment at the end of the unit to measure the growth from the unit

• Each website has learning activities such as virtual tours, games, videos, etc. They follow the NewYork State  & Syracuse City School District Curriculum as well as the state standards

The Arts Standards

Standard 1

Creating, Performing, and Participating in The Arts

Standard 2

Knowing and Using Arts Materials and Resources

Standard 3

Responding To and Analyzing Works of Art

Standard 4

Understanding The Cultural Dimensions and Contributions of The Arts

Tentative timetable for project completion (list weekly dates, major tasks to be done each week and what you will need to do that task):

The anticipated unit will run four weeks. Each group will be seen for a 40 minute block once a week.  The schedule will be Tuesday & Wednesday of each week. The unit will be started as soon as all team members are cleared for volunteer work in schools

1. Week one –team introduction, the pre assessment given, basic intro on web navigation. We will teach the students what web sites we will be using and how to use them correctly.
2. Week two-review of web navigation rules. Students this week will be given a variety of web sites to choose from. The team will help navigate and monitor the students as they explore the websites.  Each week the class will be given an age appropriate evaluation sheet to fill out as their “ticket out the door”  It will give the team insight and gauge what and how the students are learning.
3. Week three-a repetition of week two. By now the students should understand what they are required to do.  
4. Week four-administer post assessment and wrap up activities.

Challenges to be faced (organizational, attitudinal, physical plant, technical, etc.)

• The students at Hughes Elementary have never used direct technology as a learning tool in art.  It will be interesting to see how they respond to the idea of working on the computer versus physically making art.

• There has never been an emphasis on fine art and museum knowledge in this school. The team will have to be very creative with how we present it to the students in order to get them invested into the unit.

Expected results:

• The students will learn that they can create and learn art on the computer.  

• Their knowledge of fine art, museums and art websites will increase. It will be the norm for students to go to the technology room for art class. Technology integration will be standard.

• There will be significant student growth with regard to New York State Standards 3 & 4 based on their activities in class.

• The art teacher will integrate technology on a more regular basis.

Demonstration: 

• The final report will have a sample of the pre and post assessment. The data from the assessments will be included. Any information on the blog will be transferred to the final report, along with an overall evaluation.