The Argument for Art
Unlock student creativity and retention by linking lessons to images.
By Matthew Spinogatti
Our society is currently in the midst of the digital age. This is marked by a dramatic shift into a realm of technology and information that was previously un-imaginable. According to a study conducted by Columbia University, “All that digital stimulation is actually changing the way kids' brains biologically evolve—and that, in turn, is changing the way kids are developing social skills, acquiring language and learning to read.” As educators, we have been equipped with a number of tools with which to do our jobs, but with the dramatic shifts that we are seeing in modern society, do we still have the correct tools to perform our jobs effectively?
There are two sides to every coin. While some believe that this inoculation into a world so deeply intertwined with technology will have detrimental effects on the learning abilities of students, others believe it will enhance certain cognitive aptitudes. Regardless of personal beliefs, it is evident that learning is happening differently than in previous generations. This does not mean we throw out the toolboxes of the past, but perhaps we also acquire a new set of skills that will enhance the atmosphere of the contemporary classroom.
Language of Images in the Digital Age
As a society, we are plugged in. According to Columbia's study, “The average American kid between 8 and 18-years-old spends eight-and-a-half hours a day on a computer, listening to an iPod, watching TV, or paying attention to some form of digital technology.” There is no shortage of gadgets that can be incorporated into the 21st century classroom. Students work with laptops, iPads, or even their own cell phones, in an attempt to further incorporate technology into the learning environment. However, one aspect of this digital age that cannot be ignored is the fierce dedication to visual images. Today’s youth are exposed to such an intense multitude of images that it could be argued that images are a new form of language. The accessibility of visuals has increased so rabidly that for some friends, pictures are exchanged more readily than words.
Accessible Images in the Digital Age: The Great News
Nowadays images are easily accessible, at no extra cost to school or instructor, and they can have huge effects on the learning environment. Incorporating the use of images in the classroom is a learning tool that can be integrated immediately and without training. Here are some resources to help you get started:
This is both the address and the website for The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a website dedicated to exposing the willing viewer to a wide array of art and culture. This resource has recorded a great number of its curators discussing their favorite museum pieces in detail. This allows the viewer to be immersed in a piece of artwork from anywhere with an Internet connection.
With the ever-increasing diversity of our population, it is now more important than ever to attempt to provide background information throughout classroom lessons. This provides the students a base on which to build knowledge. By showing a collection of images on any given topic, students can visualize and imagine the subject being discussed. With the increase in the number of visual learners, this small step should never be ignored. Spark interest and incite conversation by introducing thought-provoking images.
A collection of interactive galleries that include museums, zoos, and art galleries, this resource provides a wealth of digital information. Any viewer is able to participate in and enjoy a varied collection of exhibitions that are brought into the classroom through the use of technology.
Accelerate Learning in the Digital Age: Incorporate Images
Incorporating art and other forms of artistic expression into one's lesson can have a monumental effect on student understanding and retention. Being immersed in the digital age means understanding that today’s youth is better equipped to process information when is tied to meaningful images. It also means understanding that the tools to assist with these connections are readily available and can be used to engage learners in almost every subject.
How do you incorporate art into the classroom? Share your ideas and practices with the Lesson Planet Community.
Related Resources:
Exploration in the Language Arts Classroom, Learning Through Art Exploration, Understand Inference Through Art, Understanding Art Through Creative Writing