Structure of the Art Module

The structure of the units in this Web module is based on museum-based methods of teaching, that

is, the use of objects for the basis of activities and lessons.

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The objects in the collection of a museum are the basis for the teaching of art production, art

history, art criticism, and aesthetics. There are seven sub-modules on different media and

topics.

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The Web is an apt medium for the publication of this educational approach because it offers

the opportunity for viewers to see and study images of the museum objects from afar.

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Its interactivity affords the viewer the ability to communicate with the objects through the

thought- and discussion- provoking questions and offline activities that accompany the

images. Teachers should not attempt to cover all images or all questions at once. This mate-

rial is enough to cover easily a year's lessons. Images, themes and modules can be returned

to for different purposes. The Art Module is a resource to be mined.

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Teachers can adjust the grade level of the discussion by choosing the number and the topic of

the questions and encouraging students to initiate questions.

1. The teacher can choose one question with which to lead a lesson and have the class

look at several images to compare how the questions may be explored with different

artworks. (Ex: A question for Sunday on the Farm (WPA) is "What details in the

painting are very realistic?" The class could compare the `realistic' details of it with

those of "outskirts of Galena" in the same module)

2. The teacher could choose one work of art and ask several questions about it. Better

still, the students could ask and answer questions about it. (Ex: While viewing Julia

Thecla's Self-Portrait, teacher or students might wonder what she is looking at, how

she feels, why she painted herself so pale, what the brown leaves might mean, what

mood the colors create, what the temperature might be around

3. We have provided a glossary for each sub-module for teachers to use as a vocabulary

list or other activity.

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The online and print resource lists and the hands-on and discussion activities sections give

viewers access to more information and experiences. The activity descriptions were written

for a broad grade level that teachers can adapt for the age and number of students they have,

and the time they have in which to do the activities. Art teachers often see students once a

week for 45 minutes, while classroom teachers may make available a half hour each day for

a week or more by integrating the activity into another subject's content and form. Students

who are exploring the modules independently may want to explore the links provided to add

depth to the subject at hand. Teachers could use the links for background information or as

part of a class activity.