Managing the Art Room: Adapting with Digital Content

For a few years now, I have been looking for new ways to foster my professional development. Instead of referring to old drawing exercises from art school or reviewing old course packs and art history textbooks, I thought I would develop a body of work that encompasses how diverse an art teacher’s skills need to be.

The challenge of an art instructor is to create a curriculum that builds skills and is engaging for all students. Because I don’t have another art teacher at my school to discuss and develop project ideas with, I am constantly going online to find videos or images that inspire me. I have also noticed how social media platforms allow art teachers like me to build networks where they can share and brainstorm curriculum ideas.

A Vehicle for Virtual & Hybrid Teaching
When my school closed in March of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, I had to think of ways to put my projects online so my students could keep up with their lessons. I knew that doing live video conferencing would be challenging for demonstrating certain art techniques, so I decided to create my own YouTube channel. I uploaded weekly lessons that students could do in their own time and communicate their progress with me through our school’s online platform.

When the new school year started in-person in September 2020, my administration required us to do in-person teaching and video conferencing simultaneously. Because my teaching style doesn’t have me sitting behind my desk where my webcam is, but circulating around my classroom, I was worried that my online students would not be able to see me demonstrate any of the project’s objectives. To solve this problem, I prepared instructional videos during my prep periods before starting the lesson in class. I posted a link to the videos online so students could watch them for homework or during class. There was no jostling for a space around my desk to watch me execute the project in person because my taped movies had a clear view of my demonstration.

Benefits of a Video Channel
The reason I wanted to start my own YouTube channel was to ensure that remote students received a good video lesson created by me. I could have given students a link to an already existing video online, but having my class see me perform the project has given me credibility as an artist and an educator. Now, a year and a half into this project, I have just posted my one-hundreth video!

I have focused on passing my the wayside. Professional development should focus on maintaining a strong art practice as well as on educational theory. The ability to demonstrate your art curriculum alongside your students allows them to have something to strive for and shows them that being talented in fine arts is a long journey that requires a lot of practice and patience.

Reflections
It’s good to know that I now have a digital presence and a body of work that can be shared with other art teachers. By creating my own digital content, I develop my own set of artistic skills and communicate those skills to my students and other teachers.
Even though the pandemic has been extremely challenging for students’ and teachers’ mental and physical health, there have been a few positive paths that teachers have been able to take to improve their skills as teachers, artists, and curriculum developers. A situation like the pandemic has proven that teachers need to be professionals who adapt and constantly learn new skills and knowledge of their subjects.