Integrating 21^st Century skills and technology tools into all areas of education is necessary to prepare today's students to compete globally. This six session online course, plus an orientation session, is one of several eLearning courses that focus on incorporating 21^st Century teaching and learning. Participants in this course will be introduced to 21^st Century skills and tools and how they can be used in the visual arts classroom, grades K-12. Participants in this course will complete an instructional plan that includes 21^st Century skills and tools.

**Based upon course revisions during Summer 2011 this course will be, effective October 2011, recognized as a technology course and will meet the technology coursework requirements for recertification.

**Participants in this course must be employed as a visual arts teacher.

21st Century Teaching and Learning in the Visual Arts Classroom

Catalog Description

This course, 21^st Century Teaching and Learning in the Visual Arts Classroom, provides informational articles, resources and activities that focus on incorporating 21^st Century teaching and learning into the visual arts classroom, grades k-12.  The course consists of six sessions plus an Orientation during which participants explore the use of 21^st Century skills and tools and their place in the visual arts classroom as they complete a lesson plan that includes course resources and tools. 

Prerequisites

This is an introductory course for teachers, technology specialists, curriculum specialists, professional development specialists and administrators.  Participants are expected to have regular access to computers.  Although not a requirement, high speed Internet access definitely enhances the online experience.  Participants should be proficient with using email, browsing the Internet, and navigating through computer files.  Access to Microsoft Office is recommended.  Participants who do not have access to Microsoft Office should download Open Office documents (a free download from Microsoft) to enable them to read and send word documents throughout this course.

Goals

This workshop will enable participants to understand:

• how 21st Century communication and collaboration skills foster higher thinking skills in the visual arts classroom,
• how 21st Century thinking skills promote a deeper understanding of concepts in the visual art classroom,
• how 21st Century assessments evaluate the learning styles of all students in the visual arts classroom,
• how 21st Century instructional models address the learning styles of all students in the visual arts classroom,
• how 21st Century tools and resources enhance the learning process for digital learners in the visual arts classroom and
• how the role of the teacher as a facilitator of 21st Century thinking and learning.

Assessment and Course Requirements

Each session includes readings, activities and a discussion assignment which participants are required to complete.  High-quality, active participation in the online discussions is vital to the understanding and completion of the course.  Additionally, participants will develop portions of a lesson plan during each week’s session.  Weekly assignments address sections of this lesson plan and a mid-course check will occur during Session Three.

Course Products

As a final project, participants will complete a lesson plan utilizing a lesson template. Participants will need to download and use the template to help them complete the projects which is due in Session Six. Course participants will complete weekly assignments, including active participation in the online discussion board. In addition, participants will develop and share their ideas to incorporate tools and strategies presented in the workshop into their own curricula.

Discussion Participation

Participants will be evaluated weekly on the frequency and quality of their participation in the discussion forum.  Participants are required to post a minimum of three substantial postings each session, including one that begins a new thread and two that respond to existing threads.  Postings that begin new threads will be reviewed based on their relevance, demonstrated understanding of course concepts, examples cited, and overall quality.  Postings that respond to other participants will be evaluated on relevance and the degree to which they extend the discussion.  Participants are to read all original messages by course colleagues and enough additional responses to make a total of 50% of the messages posted for that session. 

Sessions Overview:
Session One: Promoting Communication and Collaboration Skills in the Global21 Visual Arts Classroom

Participants will investigate how 21st Century communication and collaboration skills can enrich teaching and learning in the K-12 visual arts classroom. The readings will give participants information about the global nature of our classrooms. Participants will explore ArtsEdge and MOMA to search for communication and collaborative skills used in the 21st Century visual art lessons.

Session Two: Enhancing Thinking Skills to Promote Deeper Understanding in the Global21 Visual Arts Classroom

In this session, participants will explore how Global21 thinking skills can be incorporated into the teaching and learning of visual arts in the K-12 classroom. The readings will allow participants to understand the concepts of higher order thinking and use of open ended questioning in the classroom. After reading the selections, participants will explore several visual art lesson plans. All are examples of plans that are available on the Internet for art teachers to use in their teaching.

Session Three: Assessing for Learning: Promoting Visual Arts Compression through Balanced Assessments

In this session, participants will analyze the impact of balanced assessments on the 21st Century teaching and learning (formative and summative).  The readings will help participants understand the role of assessment from the viewpoint of both educator and students. After reading the selections, participants will investigate examples of assessment that will help them develop a 21st Century assessment for the unit they are creating.

Session Four: Evaluating and Applying Instructional Models for the Global21 Visual Arts Classroom

In this session, participants will evaluate instructional models for evidence of 21st Century teaching and learning. The readings will bring out educational points that strengthen class units for the 21st Century. Participants will review lessons for their grade level and will use a check sheet to evaluate the strengths of the lessons in the context of 21st Century skills.

Session Five: Utilizing and Applying Instructional Models for the Global21 Visual Arts Classroom

Participants will review the 21st Century Learning Skills and Technology Tools Standards for West Virginia Schools and explore examples of 21st Century tools and resources as they apply to visual art (media, techniques and processes, subject matter, symbols and ideas, elements of art and principles of design, art history and diversity, reflection and analysis, multi-disciplinary connections) classroom. Participants will discuss and reflect how the resources and tools could be used, adapted or improved for the use in their own classroom.

Session Six: Leading the Global21 Classroom: Evolving Roles of Visual Arts Teachers

Participants will examine the evolving role of the teacher in the 21st Century Visual Art classroom. Readings include the underlying principles of the learner-active, technology-infused classroom and what it should look like as well as technology management techniques that include scheduling, record keeping and group work.