The
dust is beginning to settle this week as we recover from some technical
difficulties with our LMS (learning management system) last week. I am starting
to get back into the groove of the school year contacting and welcoming new
students and grading their first assignments. This week, students are working
on using proportions to create a sense of space in their drawings. Like many
Art 1 classes, mine focuses on foundational skills, at least at the beginning. Later,
students will learn about linear perspective, which shows them how the
foreground, middle, and background connect with this mathematical concept. An
important element of any lesson in my online classroom is that is builds upon
student learning and provides a foundation for future learning. When the
connections are there, students retain more, and I can really tell when
students understand the content. For this week’s lesson, students will complete
a drawing of an interior room that uses the foreground, middle, and background
to create depth and space. Part of their learning takes place by reading the
lesson and looking at examples, but I feel the main part of learning takes
place when they are asked to demonstrate it. A student might go through the
process, “Now I’ve read about it. I know what it looks like. How can I create
it? How can I make it my own?” I think that last question is especially
important. I encourage my students to make each assignment personal even when
the content is technical. In my online classroom I assess in chunks. Each week
has a small project for students to complete which helps me witness students
building upon their learning as they go. Assigning one project per week keeps students continuously learning and practicing their new skills. Creating is a way of learning that encourages
problem solving and I love to see what my students come up with.
