Interpreting Art Education in an Evolving World Technology and globalization are rapidly changing the environment of teaching.
With this change comes a change in the population that we teach. Art education must adapt to the evolving student. Due to the increase in visual information that students are witnessing through the innovations of technology and the Internet it becomes the role of the art teacher to teach students how to develop a critical awareness and consciousness of images. I believe that art education is necessary to help students reflect on the visual culture in which they are immersed. By practicing inquiry-based learning with visual images, students are taught to develop critical consciousness. If students are critical viewers of images they will become better-informed citizens and be able to better participate in a global society. I strongly believe in creating an environment of learning and awareness of the natural world. I will help students develop a sense of connection between themselves and the landscape, in turn fostering a strong sense of appreciation and awareness of their surroundings of in the natural environment, the community, and globally. The role of the art teacher is to channel students learning into not just art skills but to shape the learning process in a holistic learning experience or big ideas that guide students participation in the global society. The art room can act as a bridge to students other academic subjects, which they are able to interpret big ideas from other course areas and process through the art room setting. The ability to connect art to big ideas can make learning relevant to students and in turn engage with students more easily. Creating links with students family and community validates their culture and home in turn helping to foster an environment of trust and learning. The increasing diversity of todays communities means that teachers should be sensitive with a variety of approaches to meet different learning styles and cultural needs. Referencing culturally diverse artwork speaks to the changing population and will create a compassionate supportive art classroom. Art education offers a unique platform from which to reach different types of learning styles, multiple types of intelligences, and ESL students, because of its ability to involve both visual and verbal instruction. Visual language transcends the limitations of the written word and uses universal iconigraphs to communicate. The role of an art teacher is to teach all students. When a student is able to recognize the skills that they learn in the art room are applicable to their overall growth as an individual that is when a teacher has truly achieved success. By creating a classroom that addresses the new age of technology, globalization, different learning styles, and the holistic child-centered approach to teaching we will be able to meet the needs of our students and create a classroom environment that encourages learning. Art education is crucial to the development of the contemporary child. As an art teacher it is my role to not just teach the skills that are necessary to interpret the world visually but to give students the tools to understand the world in which they now live.
