Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Art and Technology

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage is crucial for guiding and contextualizing students' learning. By clearly establishing objectives, students can better understand the relevance of the studied content and how it applies both in the academic context and in daily life. This moment prepares the ground for practical activities, ensuring that students are aligned with expected learning goals and motivated to explore the use of technology in art critically and creatively.

Main Objectives:

1. Recognize and discuss examples of how technology influences and transforms visual arts, including new media and artistic techniques.

2. Explore and apply different technologies and digital resources in practical activities to create artworks, encouraging experimentation and creativity.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage students' critical analysis skills by observing how different artists use technological tools in their creative process.
2. Develop collaboration and communication skills during group practical activities.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The Introduction serves to engage students with the topic of Art and Technology, using problem situations that stimulate critical thinking and the application of prior knowledge. The contextualization helps relate the theme to the real world, highlighting examples and curiosities that illustrate the relevance and possibilities that the integration of art and technology offers. This moment creates a bridge between theory and practice, motivating students to explore their own creative ideas during the class's practical activities.

Problem-Based Situations

1. How could an artist use technology to transform a simple photograph into a complex and interactive piece of art?

2. In what ways can digital tools help a illustrator create animations that tell stories in new and exciting forms?

Contextualization

In the digital age, art is not limited to brushes and canvases. Artists around the world use image editing software, augmented reality, and 3D printers to create works that were impossible in the past. For example, artist Refik Anadol uses data collected from AI to create visual installations that are both a sensory experience and a piece of art, transforming data into visual and interactive beauty.

Development

Duration: (75 - 80 minutes)

The Development section is designed to put into practice the concepts of Art and Technology explored earlier. Students will apply the knowledge acquired in practical activities that require creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. This stage allows students to delve into using digital technologies as artistic tools, exploring and creating works that reflect their individual visions and skills. The focus is on learning by doing, which is essential for internalizing the concepts discussed.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Digital Painters: Creating Art with Tablets

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop artistic creation skills using technological tools and stimulate collaboration and teamwork creativity.

- Description: In this activity, students will use tablets to create their own digital artworks. They will explore different drawing and painting apps, experimenting with digital brushes, textures, and colors. Each group will receive a specific theme (such as nature, futurism, or abstract) to inspire their creations.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute one tablet to each group, equipped with drawing and painting apps.

• Present a brief tutorial on how to use the apps.

• Set a theme for each group and ask them to create a digital artwork that represents that theme.

• Allow students to freely explore the app's features for 50 minutes.

• In the last 10 minutes, each group will present their creation to the class, explaining the artistic and technological choices made.

Activity 2 - Young Animators: Creating Animated Stories

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Encourage understanding of the animation production stages and develop skills in digital storytelling and teamwork.

- Description: Students will work in groups to create short digital animations using simple animation software. They will choose a short story or create a new one and turn it into an animation, using digital characters and backgrounds.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups of up to 5.

• Introduce the animation software and demonstrate its basic functionality.

• Ask each group to choose or create a short story to animate.

• Guide students in creating digital characters and backgrounds.

• Supervise as students animate their story over 50 minutes.

• Each group will present their final animation to the class, discussing the creative process and challenges encountered.

Activity 3 - Future Sculptors: 3D Modeling

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Introduce students to 3D modeling, promoting understanding of spatial geometry and digital creativity.

- Description: This activity involves using 3D modeling software. Students, in groups, will use the software to create three-dimensional models of objects or characters. The focus will be on understanding the basic modeling tools and how objects are digitally constructed from simple shapes.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Explain the basic principles of 3D modeling and demonstrate the software.

• Allow each group to choose what they want to model.

• Help students explore the modeling tools during the creation of their models.

• Encourage experimentation with different shapes and textures.

• At the end, each group will present their 3D model, explaining the creation process and the decisions made.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The Feedback section aims to consolidate learning, providing students with the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and articulate what they have learned. This discussion helps assess students' understanding of the integration of technology in art and allows them to share insights and challenges faced, promoting deeper learning through collective reflection.

Group Discussion

Start the group discussion with a general review of the activities carried out. Encourage each group to share their experiences and discoveries. Use questions such as 'What did you find most challenging and why?' and 'How did technology help express your artistic ideas?' to guide the conversation.

Key Questions

1. How did technology influence your artistic creation today?

2. What new skills do you feel you developed by using digital tools in art?

3. How could you apply what you learned today in future artistic projects?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Conclusion stage serves to consolidate the knowledge acquired during the lesson, highlighting the relevance of the topics addressed and the integration between theory and practice. This moment is fundamental for students to recognize the applicability of the concepts learned in real contexts and to reflect on the importance of technology in modern art.

Summary

In this conclusion, we summarize the concepts explored about the intersection between Art and Technology, highlighting how technological advances expand the boundaries of artistic expression. We reviewed the main digital tools addressed, such as tablets for digital painting, animation software, and 3D modeling, and how these resources can transform ideas into visual and interactive art.

Theory Connection

This lesson demonstrated the practical application of theoretical concepts by allowing students to create their own artworks using technology. The classroom practice provided a deep understanding of how technological tools can be integrated into the creative process, bridging the gap between theory and real application.

Closing

The importance of this topic extends beyond the classroom since the ability to use technology in artistic creation is increasingly relevant in various professional fields, from graphic design to animation and beyond. Understanding and mastering these tools opens new opportunities for personal expression and professional development.