Thirty is too little to list the things that make me happy. Waking up with warm sunshine on my cheeks, a cool light breeze, trees, and chirping birds make me happy. The smell of coffee, the sight of my sleepy puppy next to me, random baby and kids’ pictures, pictures of my kids, their phone calls, my husband’s massages, and caring and loving gestures. Bachata music and dancing makes me happy too. Road trips, wind blowing on my face as we go down a hill.. blasting music of Pink playlist, butterflies, sight of Bisons in the distance. Sleeping in on weekends and walks to the parks, best friend’s visit, decent tasting red wine and the smell of rain.
“Keep your eyes on the finish line and not on the turmoil around you.”
Rihanna
Summer semester went way too quickly. It was overwhelming at the beginning of the course. There was a lot of content to learn. Now that the semester is almost over, it is time to look back and reflect on what we have learned together in this course. I am grateful to Dr. Katia and to everyone for being part of my educational journey.
Developing a course prototype was a painful process. However, it helped me greatly in advancing my knowledge and skills in online and blended course. I did not know where and how to begin. I had one focus: teaching art! I had to figure out my way and fit my steps in the outline provided. This opportunity allows me to adapt to an ever-changing education and grow as an educator. Much has changed in my ADDIE format since I first shared it in my blog. I can say that the template makes more sense now and has a direction. I have included aspects of accessibility, assessment, and online collaborative learning. I have added my colleagues’ suggestions on the assessment part. The themes or contents that I wanted to include in the course are clear and aligned to the learning objectives, assessment, and teaching practices. Finally, I can produce the course prototype. It may not be the best in the class, but I am proud of my learning and accomplishment.
I am pondering taking on teaching advanced credit in art. I taught art history as an elective this past semester for grade 12 students. The students learned the historical part of art but did not have much time practicing their skills in the studio. They asked if I could teach them again in the coming school year for more studio practice.
Advanced Placement (AP) Art is a course intended for highly motivated high school students who are not able to attend a regular secondary program (i.e., pregnancy, physical and psychological health reasons, economic, etc.) Students will earn university credits while they are still in secondary school. AP offers advanced courses in art like 2D, 3D, and art history. Students will complete both asynchronous and synchronous activities for a year until they submit a digital portfolio to the AP College Board as a final assessment of their work. Passing the course will grant students an advanced credit in the university.
Students will hone their skills in 2-dimensional (2D) Art and develop an extensive portfolio. They will begin with the fundamentals of 2D composition and progress to a more advanced body of work. They will explore a variety of techniques and media to showcase their ideas and techniques. Students will work on their own and attend mandatory synchronous meetings which will have the chance to explore other artists works, learn from each other, and share their knowledge and skills.
Northern Saskatchewan communities have always been a source of fascination and inspiration for me. The land, the trees, the lakes, the light, and the people inspire me to look at life in positive and bright perspectives. It has been four years since I left La Loche, I still think about the place. It continues to inspire my art. This inspiration moved me to do something in return, to give back and to show my gratitude to the land and the people. I thought about many ways to show my gratitude. I think that helping Dene students make art and show their talents would be beneficial. This online and blended art education course for high school students answers the need to earn credit in their postsecondary while they are still in high school.
Online interactions in a blended course can be a daunting task. Fortunately, we now have a trunk of technological wealth to implement allowing students to engage and collaborate in a meaningful and supportive learning environment. In a blended Advanced Placement (AP) 2D Art course, the online community learning (OCL) tools range from using the main Learning Management System (LMS) forums; Microsoft (MS) Teams, Discord, virtual art workshops, virtual museums and galleries, and online seminars and webinars in Art.
Padlet, Discord and MS Teams
Set up online learning platforms (formal setting) as well as social media groups (informal setting) where students can post their thoughts, share their artworks, and provide feedback to each other, share their progress, seek advice, and inspire each other in both formal and informal learning environments. Instructors can moderate and guide the discussions to encourage critical thinking and constructive criticism. AP 2D Art is the LMS platform where students can access anytime.
Virtual Workshops in Art
Organize virtual art workshops where students can participate in live demonstrations, ask questions, and practice various art techniques together in real-time. There are online workshops that students can help develop their skills like Virtual Art Workshops, courses offered at the Museum of Modern Art MOMA website and Google Art and Culture. Host webinars or invite guest speakers, such as professional artists or art historians, to interact with the students online. These events can offer unique insights and perspectives on the art world.
Guidelines or assessment practices
Harasim (2017, as cited in Bates, 2019) proposed Online Collaborative Learning (OCL) where students are encouraged and supported to work together, created knowledge, invent, explore ways to innovate, and to solve problems. AP 2D Art course views students as active and engaged learners. Students must adhere to the course expectations and create artwork that are guided by the AP College Board guidelines AP Art Guidance for Artificial Intelligence Tools and other Services.
Blending these online community learning forms with in-person or face-to-face interactions in the classroom can create a well-rounded and enriching experience for students in AP Art course. It fosters a supportive and interactive learning environment that promotes creativity, communication, and collaboration.
“The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.” – Tim Berners-Lee
Accessibility cannot be disregarded in an online learning environment. A stellar course outline is futile if accessibility and potential challenges to learners are ignored. While online learning has the potential to be more accessible in certain ways, it also presents its own set of challenges and ethical considerations.
A few considerations were included in the Advanced Placement (AP) Art Blended course. Designed for highly motivated and skillful high school students in art, the course allows them to earn an advanced college level course in Art. Although the online part of the course is designed to be accessible to all interested students, there are possible issues that may impede their learning. Accommodation is offered to potential students who may not be able to attend synchronous classes due to work, family commitments, or living far from the school. Also, to students with physical limitations, mobility impairments or visual impairments. In these cases, flexible learning environments and materials that can be adapted for various needs, like screen readers and closed captions are available for them. Seeing AI is one good example of an application that students can use.
Issues related to accessibility and equity are considered in the course. These issues are significant challenges that need to be addressed to ensure true accessibility and equity in online learning. Some students may not be able to afford a computer at home. Another is individual knowledge and skills in technology. Some students may face difficulties in using technology due to their limited knowledge. The course also considers some ethical or social considerations like inclusivity, differentiated instruction, individual privacy and security, and responsibility in technology use. Accessibility and equity in online learning is significant for students’ success in the course. It requires collective efforts from the senior teachers, school administration, parents, and school division to address the challenges and ethical considerations to create a truly inclusive and equitable blended course.
This module is created to provide students with composition fundamentals in 2Dimensional art. Artists use different techniques in their composition to direct viewers eyes and makes the artwork interesting. In this module students will develop a working definition of 2-dimensional art, composition, and techniques of composition. Students will create 2-dimensional art using collage techniques. Students will develop their knowledge and skills and create a 2-dimensional artwork for their Advance Placement course. Learning Objectives: At the end of the module, students will:
Investigate materials, processes and ideas used in 2-dimensional art.
Develop knowledge and skills. What is 2-dimensional art? How can artists use techniques to create 2-dimensional art interesting and can attract viewer’s attention?
Create a 2-dimensional art using collage and document artist’s processes.
Present an individual digital submission and be able to provide a critical response to other student’s artwork.
Art is not about pretty things, it’s about who we are, what happened to us and how our lives are affected.
Elizabeth Broun
Northern Saskatchewan communities has always been a source of fascination and inspiration for me. The land, the trees, the lakes, the light, and the people inspire me to look at life in positive and bright perspectives. It has been four years since I left La Loche, I still think about the place. It continues to inspire my art. This inspiration moved me to do something in return.. to give back and to show my gratitude to the land and the people.
I thought about many ways how to show my gratitude. I think that helping Dene students make art and show their talents would be beneficial. This online and blended art education course for high school students answers the need to earn credit in their postsecondary while they are still in high school.
It provides means for developing and maintaining physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of students. There is a need for rich, wide array, differentiated resources and instruction to develop skills in art. It provides opportunities to learn and use of natural and indigenous materials in visual art. It will showcase talents and skills, and use of indigenous resources in art. Students in Northern communities face different social and economic issues that hinder learning, like lack of resources, transportation problems, and family issues.
This course is designed for High school students needing credits for Advance Placement (AP) who are not able to attend a regular secondary program (i.e. pregnancy, physical and psychological health reasons, economic, etc.). Advanced Placement course is a college level course developed by AP Program. Interested students earn one semester introductory college course in 2-D art and design. There is no prerequisite course which makes it accessible to anyone. However, there will be AP exams administered once a year.
Learning Environment
There are opportunities and limitations based on the following perspectives of the learners, facilitators, the domain and discipline, learning technologies, access and cost. The program is flexible in different aspects like time. Students have access to a wide range of learning activities and materials. Although, students need to work independently, there are also opportunities for personalized and collaborative learning. In this course, students will develop self-discipline and motivation. There are limitations that students must take into consideration. They need to consider technological requirements and accessibility. There may by limited hands-on and practical experience. Since it is an online course, there is a potential isolation. Students may feel alone and isolated.
As the AP teacher, there are opportunities that I can take advantage of. The program offers enhanced accessibility, flexibility in content delivery, increased student engagement, and personalized learning experience. There are also limitations like limited non-verbal cues, technical difficulties, reduced social interaction, self-motivation and discipline.
In the domain and discipline, the following opportunities are possible: access to a wide range of learning resources, flexible learning schedules, and collaborative learning opportunities. lack of immediate feedback. Limitations like limited face-to-face interaction, and limited practical hands-on experience. In learning technologies, opportunities like flexibility and accessibility, interactive and engaging content, personalized learning, collaborative learning experience, and access to global resources. However, there may be some limitations may ensue like technical challenges, lack of social interaction, self-discipline and time management, limited hands-on practical experience, and digital literacy requirement.
Access and cost is another that needs attention. The program provides opportunities for global access of information and learning, flexible schedule, diverse course options, and it is cost saving. The students need to consider technological requirements, digital literacy, limited hands-on learning, and reduced social interaction.
Design
Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
• Develop 2D skills through materials and processes: graphic design, photography, collage, printmaking, fashion illustration, and others.
• Create artwork that reflects learned knowledge, skills and own ideas
• Skills:
Investigation – materials, processes, ideas of artists and designers used
Communication – own ideas about works of art and design
Practice, experiment, revisit ideas as you create your own work
Instructional Approach
Learning experiences or activities
• lectures , inquiry-based learning, simulations using screencast lectures and demos
Assessment:
Formative: observation or art making processes during synchronous and asynchronous activities
AP art examination – once a year
Major Platform
List the LMS and/or other educational technologies that will be used.
Advanced Placement College Board
ZOOM
Google Arts and Culture
Kahoot
Mentimeter
Educational Technologies
List the ways that the platform and other educational technologies will be used to support student learning.
individual and group conferencing
Online studio work
Artwork presentation and feedback activities
Course Design
Course design pre-planning
Learning objective
Assessment
Learning material
Investigate materials, processes, and ideas.
Individual Art work in 2D Focus on the materials used, processes, and investigation of ideas.
Lectures, videos
Make art and Design
Individual Art work Focus on skills, use of materials, and design techniques
Hello. I am Lourdes Ghazal. I currently teach elementary school overseas. I lived and worked in Africa for more than a decade before moving to Canada. I was in La Loche, SK before moving to Kuwait in 2017. I am a registered nurse back in The Philippines and used to work in health facilities. I joined education later in my life and loved the change. As an educator, I welcome change. I view it as a path to tomorrow’s world. I admire those who light the paths, the trailblazers. I adapt to new ideas and practices which I think beneficial for teaching and learning. Technology is always a concept that will scare me, but I am willing to learn and use it for the benefits that it offers. I think communicating with parents through emails and sending electronic assignments to students is my very first encounter with online learning. Before that, I was also receiving and sending back assignments to my instructors in my undergraduate courses at the University of Regina. “Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.” Sun Tzu ” A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. The pandemic brought remarkable advancement in technology and it impacted education as we all witnessed it. I remained in Kuwait for almost two years without any hint of what will happen in the future. With too much time on my hand, I decided to start my graduate studies. Since then, I started to use online learning technologies. I learned to use the university’s learning management system (LMS) and other online applications. Some of those technologies were not easy to use at the beginning. I have encountered difficulties especially learning to use those technologies. Another important aspect of challenges was the limitation imposed on the use of internet in my host country, Kuwait. Countless sites and web pages that were assigned to visit in my courses were restricted in the country. Fortunately, my graduate instructors were helpful and accommodating when I communicated my difficulties. At the same time, our school transitioned to online learning. Teachers, students, and parents needed to learn and adapt to technology. We have encountered plenty of challenges which we all learned eventually. The learning curve was stiff for everyone. At that time, we all had no choice but to adapt and go with the flow of change. The first year back to face-to-face learning was equally hard. Everyone at school needed to adjust and re-learn skills in learning in the classroom. It was indeed a trying time for all. However, we emerged victorious because we learned new knowledge and skills. Those knowledge and skills were not futile because we continued to use them today. We can easily switch to online if needs arise without disrupting teaching and learning. Technology will continue to evolve and we are ready to learn them, use them, and adapt them to our fast changing lives.
