As art is about creativity, teaching art requires that you model creative ways of thinking and playfully interact with the content. This allows learners to work with your ideas to create art creatively.
Traditional Arts and ICT Art Tools for Teaching your Subjects and Promoting Life Skills
Drawing, painting, theater, and writing are disciplines that have been connected to human beings since ancient times; photography, video, and ICT tools are part of our daily life nowadays.
The language of art is universal, and it connects the left and the right sides of our brain, completing an experience that involves our senses, our emotions, our creative and critical thinking, and enhances the development of all life skills.
During the course participants will learn how to integrate the use of traditional art techniques and ICT art tools into their teaching; the course is suitable for teaching all subjects and ages, and it will be held both in class and outdoors.
In particular, participants will practice drawing and painting (doodling, traditional drawing, intuitive drawing, drawing and painting with specific App for iPad and Android), photography (traditional and creative photography and Stop motion technique), Theater (creative writing, performing, recording if applicable).
Guided imagery and short techniques for meditation will integrate and complete the creative experience. Participants will be also introduced to the use of Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube to facilitate the social sharing of the proposed activities in the classroom.
Participants will be involved in an active learning process, also focusing on personal experience and self-expression, combining cognitive and emotional elements to make the learning process easier and ensure long-lasting retention of the new knowledge.
Download the complete course description!
Learning outcomes
The course will help the participants to:
- Use traditional art techniques and ICT art tools in order to teach subjects in an interactive way;
- Understand how to actively maintain students’ attention and motivation throughout a class;
- Improve the use of doodling and guided imagery to stimulate creative and critical thinking, as a useful starting point in the learning process;
- Have confidence within your own creative process;
- Be able to combine the acquired techniques with the subject you teach.
Tentative schedule
Day 1 – Course introduction & setting goals
- Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
- Icebreaker activities using drama for trust and ensemble building;
- Identification of needs and goals for each participant and relevant populations;
- Slides presentation, case histories, and individual practical activities. Drawing (doodling, drawing, and ICT art tools);
- Presentations of the participants’ schools.
Day 2 – Teaching through art
- Teaching your subjects and life skills through the arts;
- Painting (intuitive painting and ICT tools).
Day 3 – Teaching through technology art
- Teaching your subjects and life skills through the arts;
- Photography (traditional and ICT tools) and Stop Motion;
- Social sharing: Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube.
Day 4 – Teaching through social sharing
- Teaching your subjects and life skills through the arts;
- Theatre (our character, creative writing, performing);
- Social sharing: Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube.
Day 5 – Put it to the test & get creative
- Integrating all techniques learned and designing your own creative project.
Day 6 – Course closure & cultural activities
- Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
- Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
- Excursion and other external cultural activities.
Art Teacher Job Definition
Art teachers help students learn how to express themselves creatively. This can be through practical activities such as painting, pottery, photography, sculpturing, drawing, and textiles.
Besides helping students develop artistic skills, they also meet their academic and emotional needs. Art teachers are involved in the general responsibilities of teachers, such as grading and monitoring their academic progress.
Art Teacher’s Responsibilities
As an art teacher, you introduce students to the formal qualities of art and varied media or artistic creation. And, you help them become accustomed to the tools and materials they will use in illustrative, sculptural, and craft-based art.
As an art teacher, you’ll be expected to:
- Develop level-suitable learning activities – The art education curriculum should meet students’ interests and abilities. For instance, short-term activities with easy-to-use materials are ideal for younger students, while time-consuming projects such as sculpturing and painting will suit older art students.
- Sparking enthusiasm and talent in your students – Encouraging creativity and artistic expression helps students grow their love for art as an emotional outlet and a possible career path.
- Introducing art technique – This includes sketching, shading, and brush strokes. You help learners master these techniques to present their artistic work better.
- Introducing concepts – Through lessons and projects, you introduce art concepts such as types of lines, symbols, and color relationships to students.
- Offering critique – In higher levels of learning, art educators critique students’ work to develop a more profound sense of analysis and improve their art.
- Monitoring progress and awarding grades – This includes establishing grading criteria and providing parents with student progress reports.
How to Become an Art Teacher
Passion for the art alone is not enough. A number of steps lead to your initial art teaching licensure. Traditionally, becoming an art teacher involves the following steps:
Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Education
The beginning point to becoming an art teacher is earning a Bachelor’s degree in art. You may opt for a bachelor’s degree in education with a major in Graphic or visual arts, art appreciation, drawing, ceramics, or art history.
You may also continue and get a master’s degree to become more knowledgeable and earn more.
Pass Art and Core Competency Exams
Different states have different requirements, but they mostly require that graduates take similar examinations. Passing these competency exams assures the licensing state that you are competent in all the areas in which you have been trained.
The core competency exams include the National Evaluation Series (NES), Praxis, and others. Each series will test essential reading, writing, and math skills.
For an art teacher, states will require that you take a content knowledge test in art education that addresses the following areas:
- Art history
- Art Theory
- Art creation and use
The competence tests are offered on various schedules, some only a few times a year, and you need to prepare well. Once you have passed your core competency exams, it is time for your state license application.
Apply for the State License
For your license, you’ll need to provide your state with these documents:
- An official copy of your degree certificate
- Evidence of students teaching
- Fingerprint and background check
- An application fee
Compile an Art Portfolio
An art portfolio displays your best artwork and showcases your art versatility. In your portfolio, include your finished artwork, sketches, and working documents showing your creative process.
Arrange your images in a narrative flow, with the best of your works in the first and last images. Include a variety of images within your areas of specialization.
Apply for Art Teaching Positions
Once your portfolio is ready, it is time to apply for those teaching positions. First, identify a school that offers art education and values art. This will create a promising working environment for your career growth.
Next, consider the learning level of the learners you would like to teach and are qualified to teach and apply to join the field of art as a teacher.
