ICT

Computers are general purpose creation, storage and distribution systems. They have become part of our contemporary culture coexisting alongside television, radio, video and computer games. In addition the Internet and e-mail provide resources and communication opportunities for schools to use and develop. Communication in our culture and society is becoming increasingly visual. Our role therefore is not simply to facilitate the development of skills in art but to provide a context for assisting pupils to construct meaning from this array of visual information. In other words teachers and parents share a responsibility to teach the next generation how to use ICT purposefully in their learning.

Using computers is fun, but ICT is also a challenge to understand the wide range of applications available. ICT is therefore essential that we teach children basic skills in using and managing the computer environ-ment and creatively explore the range of computer software tools in order to gain an understanding of its strengths in much the same way as we teach using traditional tools and media. This will enable them to choose the most appropriate tools in the future.

Using Information Communication Technology in art and design is a new area of experience for both pupils and teachers. ICT provides children with access to a wide range of processes and tools that until recently were only available to professionals working in the design and film industries.

In art education the use of computers, scanners, digital cameras, printers and the Internet is challenging us to rethink the ways in which we develop pupil's creativity. ICT blurs the boundary between traditional art forms providing opportunities to express ideas in many different ways. In teaching art and design we need to consider how ICT might be used alongside and or integrated with art practice and how to develop this new medium in a way that develops and extends visual understanding.

Many artists are using ICT to develop and create their work. Therefore to have the broadest experience pu-pils must also have access to ICT in relation to their artwork.

iPads

The use of iPads has been a progression within the subject of visual arts where it is essential to offer pupils the use of ICT within their learning in order to research themes and topics and gain inspiration for their own artwork. There are a great deal of positive aspects associated with this introduction where the pupils can access ideas easily while using an item which they use on a daily life while accessing social media etc. Through the use of iPads within the subject we are also facilitating pupils with SEN which may find it easier to work on tablet based programmes. 

However there are also a number of negative aspects associated with the use of iPads within a setting where cyber bullying has become rampant within second level educational settings. The use of iPads can result in distractions within the lesson where the teacher cannot fully control what the pupils are accessing on the internet at any given time. It can also have a major impact on the pupils social skills where they are working independently on researching and using an iPad rather than working collaboratively to creatively solve problems with their peers. Overall, I feel that the use of iPads within education is a positive introduction within moderation while developing the necessary cognitive and practical skills within the subject.

Programmes

Stop Motion Animation

Stop motion is an animation technique that physically manipulates an object so that it appears to move on its own. The object is moved in small increments between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the series of frames is played as a fast sequence.

The discipline of Stop Motion Animation is a great way of introducing STEAM within the art and design classroom. It gives all pupils the opportunity to interact and carry out an animation piece. It helps promote collaborative work where social and emotional skills are to the forefront of the learning experience. Pupils are offered a holistic learning experience within the task where they would take ownership of the task in organising and developing story board in planning the idea generation of their piece. They would need to create props and sets in order to act as a backdrop to their performance. Overall, it is a great introduction for pupils which may not have a great deal of interest in the ‘traditional’ approach to the subject or experience. This is a great way to develop  a pupils confidence and self esteem within the subject through completing a final stop motion piece.

Google SketchUp

SketchUp is a 3D modeling computer programme for a wide range of drawing applications such as architectural, interior design, landscape architecture, civil and mechanical engineering, film and video game design. It is available as a freeware version (SketchUp Make) and a paid version with additional functionality (SketchUp Pro).

SketchUp users are the people who shape the physical world. They are important, and they deserve great tools because great tools produce great work. Great tools are ones you look forward to using. They let you do what you want without having to figure out how. They help with hard or boring tasks so that you can focus on being creative, or productive, or both. And they are, in their own way, beautiful. SketchUp makes great tools for drawing. For the users, drawing is thinking. They draw to explore ideas, to figure things out, to show other people what they mean.

This programme is a great introduction when working on 3D projects when the pupils are generating their concept development. It is a very user friendly programme which pupils can use quite easily and gain results very quickly thus supporting their 3D work and allowing them to visualize what a design may look like during the concept development stage. They can also progress their models further where they can enter the designs into a 3D rendering programme where materials can be added to the model and a realistic render which can be portrayed as a photograph of the chosen model thus enabling the pupils to idealise their design to a further degree.

Photoshop

Photoshop is a graphics editor programme which can edit and compose raster images in multiple layers and supports masks and several colour models. In addition to raster graphics, it has limited abilities to edit or render text, 3D graphics and video.

Projects introduced to pupils in order to promote contemporary practice could include the use of Photoshop where pupils learn to manipulate and edit images according to particular themes and interests. The effects that the programme offers are very similar to filters which are available through various phones and social media apps therefore the pupils are quite familiar with such techniques and enjoy the process. It also gives weaker pupils the opportunity to participate within the subject and create strong effective designs.

Power Point

Microsoft PowerPoint is a presentation programme currently developed by Microsoft. PowerPoint is useful for helping develop the slide-based presentation format and is currently one of the most commonly used slide-based presentation programs available.

PowerPoint is an effective programme for both educators and pupils. PowerPoint is a great way of introducing ICT into the classroom where the pupils are observing and learning in an interactive context. This introduction can be used along with a textbook in order to highlight key information, learning outcomes, artists examples but also to make the content interesting and visual through the use of contemporary and colourful examples which may not be included within the text book.

This programme is also a useful tool with pupils in order to work collaboratively or independently in introducing projects or research, which they have carried out. It develops social skills where the pupils can introduce their work in the form of a PowerPoint presentation, which can really facilitate and support the pupil’s development of skills within the subject. I have observed this first hand where the pupils really enjoy carrying out such tasks and seem to have a great interest in developing their work using ICT.

ICT in production

Short Film

ICT is essential in producing short film pieces with pupils. Within my practice a short film was produced with a fifth year class group in order to fulfill requirements as part of an exhibition in the Glucksman Gallery, UCC. There was a great deal of planning and organizing involved prior to the use of ICT but within the actual shooting and editing of the film a great deal of materials, equipment and programmes were used to produce the short film. The short film was produced in The Glucksman gallery where professional lighting and cameras were used in the shooting of the scenes. 

 

The film was then edited using Final Cut Pro where elements were adjusted in relation to timing in order to create some scenes in slow motion to create an impact on the viewer. Classical music was also added to the background of the film in order to create humour to showcase the pupils personality. Overall, this has been a great experience for the pupils where all the class group had the opportunity to get involved regardless of their ability within the subject of Art.

Projections

Projections are an extremely popular introduction within contemporary art where images and scenes are illuminated onto a range of surfaces to create artwork.

Projections can be illuminated into objects which may be complex industrial landscapes such as buildings,indoor objects or theatrical stages. By using specialized software a 2D/3D object is spatially mapped in the virtual programme which mimics the real environment it is projected on. The software can interact with a projector to fit any desired images onto the surface of that object. This technique is used by artists,advertisers and pupils to add extra dimensions, optical illusions and notions of movement onto previously static objects. 

Performance piece

Performance art is a performance presented to an audience within a fine art context, traditionally interdisciplinary. Performance may be either scripted or unscripted, random or carefully orchestrated; spontaneous or otherwise carefully planned with or without audience participation. The performance can be live or via media; the performer can be present or absent. It can be any situation that involves four basic elements: time, space, the performer's body, or presence in a medium, and a relationship between performer and audience. Performance art can happen anywhere, in any type of venue or setting and for any length of time. The actions of an individual or a group at a particular place and in a particular time constitute the work.

This is also an essential introduction within contemporary practice within the subject of art and design. Pupils are given the opportunity to express themselves through the medium of performance art where they are showing their creativity while portraying a story in a non conventional way. This is an excellent opportunity for pupils to take ownership of a task and increase their confidence and self esteem within the subject while communicating a story or message to the viewer.

Blog

A blog is a discussion or informational website published on the internet consisting of discrete, often informal diary-style text entries known as posts. Posts are typically displayed in reverse chronological order, so that the most recent post appears first, at the top of the web page. The use of blogs within the subject of art and design is a new and innovative approach to the subject where pupils are introducing their work through a process they are familiar with thus creating work of a higher standard. This approach introduces a collaborative approach to creating art where pupils can share their own work and that of their peers and artists which they may be influenced by or have interest in. This is a key element within the proposed new Junior Certificate where pupils will have the opportunity to introduce their work in any medium they wish therefore such approached will be extremely helpful and popular among second level pupils.

The introduction of blogs allows the pupils to develop as independent thinkers and learners where reflection and self evaluation will be key elements within the blogs addressing challenges and problems which they may face within their work on a daily basis. This is also a key element in preparing for third level education especially those wishing to study art and design where reflection is key element in order to progress and develop within the subject.

Implementing ICT through Design

Having studied design in my undergraduate I have a broad knowledge and experience with various ICT programmes on a professional capacity.

CAD, or computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), is the use of computer technology for design and design documentation. CAD software replaces manual drafting with an automated process. Computer Aided Design would have been used on a daily basis to produce construction drawings in order to inform carpenters and builders of the designs which they would construct for an interior.

CAD Drawings

Sketch Up was also used on a regular basis in order to create 3D models to introduce to clients and support the proposed design in relation to the designated interior space. Models would then be rendered using the Vray programme where materials would be added to the surfaces thus creating a 3D visual render allowing the client to visulaise their designed interior. Various editing programmes such as; Photoshop, Illustrator and In Design were also used to finalise designs and create layouts in communicating the proposed design for any given interior or exhibition space.

Sketch Up Models

Examples of Finished Designs