Tidbits in Tech: Integration in Education/Promoting Student Artwork Through Virtual Exhibits

Introduction

Definition

A virtual exhibit is a display of artwork on the internet. Virtual exhibits are a great way for art teachers to show their students' work in elementary school, middle school, and high school. There are many ways for teachers to set up a virtual art exhibit. Virtual art exhibits are a product of the integration of technology into schools. For the core subjects (math, science, social studies, and language arts), teachers can easily incorporate technology into their lessons. For art teachers, this can become a challenge because art class is filled with hands-on experiences that technology cannot replace. A virtual exhibit is a refreshing way for art teachers to display their students' work.

Ways to Create a Virtual Art Exhibit

Create a sub page off of the school's website
Make a class website
Create a class blog
Submit work on a media sharing website such as Youtube or Photobucket
Join an online program designed to display student artwork such as Artsonia

How Student Work is Added to a Virtual Art Exhibit

The instructor takes pictures of student artwork. If the teacher is using a digital camera, the teacher then transfers the photos onto a computer. If the teacher isn’t using a digital camera, the teacher then develops the film and scans the images using a scanner. Then, the teacher can adjust the size, resolution, and color of the images. The teacher can also crop out empty space in the picture so the focus is on the piece of art. Finally, the images are uploaded to the internet.

History of Student Art Exhibits

Before technology was integrated into the classroom, art exhibits were set up by hand. Art exhibits take a lot of hard work and a lot of collaboration. In the past, these were the steps needed to put on a successful art exhibit:

Create a theme for the exhibit
Create a name for the exhibit
Create artwork to display in the exhibit
Secure a gallery space
Secure a time to have the exhibit
Promote the art show via advertisements
Judge the art show and choose a winner
Organize artwork into appropriate media
Hang-up and display artwork
Create and display name plaques
Put on art show
Take down the art show

As you can see, putting together an art exhibit is not an easy task. It takes a lot of time, money, and management which a lot of teachers may not always have.

Advantages

Increases Students' Confidence

Effort is a main component of art class. Students feel a heightened sense of accomplishment when they see their finished work on display. Virtual art exhibits encourage students to take pride in their work. Also, the virtual exhibit can act as a journal for the students, marking their progress throughout the year. They can reflect on their performance and identify strong areas as well as areas that need improvement.

Fosters Parental Involvement

Not all parents have time to physically come to school and appreciate their child's artwork. In todays society, many homes have a computer with internet access which makes it possible to interact with the students. Parents as well as other family members that do not live near the student can access the virtual art exhibit.

Supports School Art Programs

Some virtual exhibit programs offer fund raisers. Artsonia, a virtual student art gallery, sells keepsakes of student work and "15% of the revenue is commissioned back to the school art program. Depending on the amount of promotion the teacher invests and the demographic of family members, this support could range from hundreds to thousands of dollars for additional equipment / art supplies for the classroom." Also, art teachers can use the virtual exhibit when introducing a new assignment to the class. The students can see past examples of the assignment and find inspiration for how they will complete the project.

Creates everlasting artwork

Not every piece of art that students make within the classroom is going to be permanent. Some projects may include natural materials found outside or materials like snow for instance which is not able to be kept for long periods of time. With the online art exhibit, students are able to take pictures of their nature based artwork and cherish it forever even when it is not still around.

Creates Space Within The Art Room

Unlike regular education classrooms, homework is not able to be packed away in folders it needs to be stored to dry in the classroom. With utilizing an online art exhibit, students are able to take pictures of their projects and then recycle the materials to make space in the classroom for future projects. With recycling of materials, students and teachers can save materials and money.

Integrate Technology into the Classroom

With the growing interest in technology, teachers are likely to get passed up by their own students which may lead to boredom and lack of interest within the classroom. Online art exhibits are a way to get the students involved with the exhibit process and promote responsibility.

Disadvantages

Compromises the Experience of Art Appreciation

For certain projects, a photo will not be able to portray the quality of the artwork. For example, a three-dimensional sculpture must be experienced in person in order get the full effect. The viewer can move around and feel the texture of the piece. But, a viewer of a virtual exhibit will not be able to move around a computer screen image or feel the texture.

Presents a Privacy Concern

Parents may not approve of having their child's work put on the internet. Jeffrey Branzburg, author of "Posting Student Work on the Web", mentions that while online exhibits serve a positive purpose, teachers need to ask for parental permission before putting any student work online. Branzburg also reminds teachers that students' last names and addresses should never be posted on the internet as doing so could risk the students' safety.

Lack of Internet Access

Students and parents may not necessarily have access to a computer or the internet. Although it is possible to go to a local library or use a friends computer, some parents/family members may not be willing to go through the hassle.

The Future of Virtual Art Exhibits

Children are gaining technological experience at very young ages. As virtual art exhibits gain popularity in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools, the students will be able to create and manage the exhibits on their own rather than the instructor doing it. Also, as advancements in technology continue to be made, image quality will increase. This will overall improve the experience for visitors of virtual art exhibits. Usually, the art department is the first to be affected by school budget cuts. Virtual exhibits can be created with little to no costs and, with fund raising opportunities, can actual make money to support art programs.

Conclusion

Art exhibits have been being put together for many years and will continue for many years to come. As long as art is around to be exhibited, art shows will continue to thrive. Whether it be professional artists or student artists, art work will always need to be shown;because after all what is art without people to enjoy it? With the compliment of technology in the classroom student art exhibits are easier than ever.

References

Artsonia: Benefits. (2010). Retrieved November 29, 2010, from http://www.artsonia.com/teachers/docs/

Branzburg, J. (2001). Posting Student Work on the Web. Retrieved November 30, 2010, from http://www.techlearning.com/article/18068

Clayton, M. (2002). Displaying Student Work. Retrieved November 30, 2010, from http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/newsletter/14_4nl_1.html