Real Art for Real Learning Series

Teaching Standards-based Art in the Elementary Classroom

LS 475 (Register for classes in this series through Open University)

Foundations, Elements and Principles

LS X475 -01 (2 units)
This course is the prerequisite of all others in the series.

An overview of the history of art education in the U.S., current theories which have led to new ways of teaching and understanding art education; the development of content standards, and principles of art and design. The final project for this course is to develop a reference resource titled Handbook of Art Education. Offered every quarter.

Developing Visual Perception

LS X475-02 (1 unit). Offered fall and spring quarters.

Learn the process of finding anchor artworks suitable for integration with classroom learning and visual art standards. Topics include methods to deepen visual perception and encourage insightful discussions with K-8 students. The final project for this course is to develop a portfolio of anchor artworks and discussion questions for use in the elementary classroom. Foundations, Elements and Principles is a prerequisite for this course.

Looking at Art from Cultural and Historical Perspectives

LS X475-03 (1 unit). Offered fall and spring quarters.

Look at art through the lens of culture and history — an important perspective for students in a global environment. Participants will come to understand that art sheds a unique and vivid light on both culture and history, and helps students to see that their own lives and cultures have significance. The final project will be to develop 2 WebQuests on art, culture and history. Foundations, Elements and Principles is a prerequisite for this course.

Creative Expression and Evaluation in K-8 Classrooms

LS X475-04 (1 unit). Offered winter and summer quarters.

How to develop art experiences for students that include personal meaning and choice. Creating art lessons based on anchor artworks, use of art materials, student self-evaluation and classroom critiques. The final project is to evaluate existing art lessons and create standards-based lesson plans. Foundations, Elements and Principles is a prerequisite for this course. Offered winter and summer quarters.

Connecting Visual Art to the Curriculum

LS X475-05 (1 unit)

This course presents methods to connect visual art to language arts, math, social studies and science. This not only brings an art perspective to visual learners, but also teaches learners in other modalities that creativity spans all disciplines. Other topics include, rubrics and art assessment. The final project is to determine integration points between visual art and other subject areas, and to create an integrated standards-based lesson around one of those integration points. Foundations, Elements and Principles is a prerequisite for this course.

Click for Instructor Biographies and Contact Information

Arts Education - Frequently Asked Questions

Do I receive University credit for one course? Do I have to take the whole series?
Should I take this course?
What computer skills do I need for these online courses?
What does this online courses look like? How is the series organized?
How much time do I need to schedule for each online course?
What will I be doing in Real Art for Real Learning?

Do I receive University credit for one course? Do I have to take the whole series?

You do not have to take the whole Real Art for Real Learning series. However, the whole series will provide you with a complete understanding of how standards-based art education is taught and integrated into elementary classrooms. The first course, Foundations, Elements and Principles, is a prerequisite for the other 4 courses. Although you may take the remaining 4 courses in any order, the order listed on the General Information page suggests the most logical sequence.

Students taking this series to substitute for LS 311 must take four units in the series.

Completion of all courses in the series is necessary to receive credit for LS X475. In addition to university credit on the Cal Poly transcript, those who complete all 5 courses will receive a certificate of completion for the entire series Real Art for Real Learning.

Enrollment in four or less courses in the series will allow students to receive the 1 or 2 academic units for each course as listed individually for each course.

Continuing Education by phone: 805-756-2053, e-mail: continuing-ed@calpoly.edu , or fax: 805-756-5933

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Should I take this course?

You should take this course if:

• You have a general interest in teaching
• You have a specific interest in enrolling in a credential program
• You want to explore ideas about teaching visual art
• You're an artist who might be interested in teaching in the schools
• You're enrolled in a credential program
• You're an elementary, generalist teacher
• You're interested in teaching in an after-school program
• You're interested in teaching in a museum setting
• You're a parent who'd like to know more about how visual art could and should be taught in the classroom
• You're a parent who home-schools your children
• You'd like to know more about visual art

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What computer skills do I need for these online courses?

You need to know how to use a computer keyboard and how to access the Internet. In fact, if you're reading this right now, you have the skills you'll need to take the class.

You will be asked to create your mid-term and final projects on PowerPoint and submit them via the Blackboard server used by the University.

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What do this online courses look like? How is the series organized?

Each course in the series is an "asynchronous" course. This means that you will do all of the work independently, meeting established benchmarks each week on your own schedule. There are specific assignments for each week, and the instructor will be available to answer questions.

Each course in the series is about a different component of art education. Each course will also highlight a different art-making skill in the elementary classroom: (a) general drawing; (b) painting; (c) still life, landscape and perspective drawing; (d) face and figure drawing; (e) 3-dimensional sculpture.

The instructor communicates with each student on a regular basis. Students have two options on how they will approach the course and submit their work. This is decided in consultation with the instructor.

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How much time do I need to schedule for each online course?

Like most courses at Cal Poly State University , each of the courses in the Real Art for Real Learning series takes place over a 10-week quarter. This series was designed for busy students and working professionals. Each course is 1 or 2 units, and you should probably plan on devoting 2 to 3 hours a week to your assignments. You will be doing most of the work independently, according to your own time schedule. There are, however, benchmarks along the way, and due dates for weekly assignments.

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What will I be doing in Real Art for Real Learning?

You'll be listening to lectures on your computer, reading and responding to web-based articles, visiting websites, looking at and writing about art images, creating art, and creating a culminating project.

Deborah Spatafore
debspat@charter.net

Deborah Spatafore MA, is an art educator who has taught art in elementary classrooms for 20 years. She is the author of Arts Connect, a web-based art curriculum for the California Technology Assistance Project, Region 8, and the designer of Real Art for Real Learning. She is also the curriculum specialist for the Central Coast Center for Art Education.

Susan Duffy,
Chair Liberal Studies Department
sduffy@calpoly.edu
(805) 756-2327

Susan Duffy, Ph.D., is the Chair of the Liberal Studies Department at Cal Poly State University. She has written six books and numerous articles on art related subjects. She is the founder and director of the Central Coast Center for Arts Education.