Introduction

The ArtsConnectEd High School Class is an Art History/Art Survey course that actively engages students in their education. This is a class where students learn by researching topics with teacher guidance, rather than passively listening to lectures.

The ArtsConnectEd High School Class is set up so that any art instructor can use the ideas and resources contained within this curriculum to design their own ArtsConnectEd class. This curriculum outlines a class that is rigorous, yet fun and interesting for students. It is a class that utilizes the latest interactive learning technology to engage students and bring a sense of ownership to their education.

The class focuses on using the ArtsConnectEd web site to create “collections” of artwork that relate to the topic of discussion or the time period being learned about. It is a computer and internet based class where students save their work online without cluttering up computer disk or network server space. Because it is Internet based, Macintosh and PC computer platforms will perform equally well and there is no need to purchase additional software.

Guest teacher lectures (where the ArtsConnectEd instructor and another teacher team-teach lessons) are scheduled . This may allow a district to offer ArtsConnectEd as an elective credit in Art, History/Social studies, English, or Science.

At the completion of this class students will have gained valuable communication and technology skills as well as a thorough knowledge of history through art. Students also will:

*Know how to effectively research topics on the internet.
*How to use HTML programing code to manipulate web pages.
*How to write and present ideas effectively.
*How ethnicity, culture, and geography influence art.
*Processes and techniques used to create artwork.
*Scientific principles related to art and vision.
*Scientific principals related to art and archaeology
*Socioeconomic factors effecting people throughout history.
*How art has been an integral part of people’s lives throughout history.

A large part of the ArtsConnectEd class revolves around using the Art Collector feature on the ArtsConnectEd site. Students will need instruction on how to create their own collections and add images from other web sites. Printed instructions are included in Appendices C-F. It is also recommended that teachers review the list of pre-made collections, Appendix A. These are meant to be a starting point. It is recommended that teachers create collections based on the interests of their students and the information they wish to cover in the class.

And finally, because the vast majority of works seen in this class are from the collections of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and Walker Art Center, a field trip is encouraged for schools who are close enough to arrange such a trip. The experience of seeing the works of art in real space is invaluable to the artistic education of the students. Teachers may wish to have students print out a collection of their favorite works, check if they are currently on view, and find those works in the museums.

It is hoped that the following materials will ultimately help students grow in their knowledge of the arts through an enjoyable and rewarding classroom experience.

Special thanks to Craig Farmer, Kevan Nitzberg, Kris Wetterlund and my wife, Karen Kulzer for their help, thoughts, and ideas.

Gerard Kulzer,
ArtsConnectEd trainer
ArtsConnectEd High School Class Curriculum Writer
Art Instructor
gerry_kulzer@litchfield.k12.mn.us