New Arts Learning chapter 1
BY KYLIE PEPPLER
OPPORTUNITIES FORINTEREST-DRIVEN
NEW
ARTS LEARNING IN A DIGITAL AGE
In reading Kylie Peppler's report on arts and the digital age, I was very excited about how this information was presented for several reasons. Lately, there has been a push by some to demonize technology as a corruption of youth, blinding people from social interactions and portrays smartphones as anything but smart. It is a strange push and pull, especially as a parent and future teacher to see this dichotomy for something that is basically a tool. Recently, I saw a video by Steve Cutts which exemplifies this mentality:
I've read articles about how invasive smartphones and technology can be with students and most people as well. So, it was interesting to read a very positive view of how technology can be a unifying perspective rather than something that alienates people as often portrayed in our culture. A part of me is still reluctant to rely entirely on something that costs a lot of money (if you get a high end phone) and is something that is pushed by single brand, such as the Mac at our school. This sort of conglomerate effect seems strangely overhanded and makes one think about what is being bought and sold and controlled.
Still, that is a fear and something that can be broken apart with understanding and insight on technology. Peppler's research shows how important having a variety of high end digital technologies for youth gives them them ultimate control over media such as with Scratch (scratch.mit.edu).
"In one youth’s digitalmusic video on Scratch (scratch.mit.edu), for example, lines on a disco dance floor converge into a single vanishing point. To create an illusion of depth, dancing robots diminish in size as they approach the horizon line. In both instances, the realism of the piece is achieved through the designer’s choices within a single, visual modality." This gives youth a hands on effect of dimensional choices as well as instilling classic art basics like perspective as well as realism. Technology is used to give new life to what is normally viewed as basics in art as well as giving youth more understanding about encoding and really honing in that they are makers of what they are seeing in the their world instead of merely as spectators. It is active engagement in the world of visual media. The Venn Diagram Peppler shares with illustrates this crossover with the final being the learner as the driver of this art and all the levels within it.
Still, there is that fear element. Fear of something new gives rise to misunderstandings and sometimes adverse effects such as viewing people as lemmings instead of connecting on a deeper level (as in the video). Or understanding our own potential for setting limits with the time we spend in front of a screen. I know for my self, I need to curb my use of social media. I often find my self, once I get a few chores out of the way, turning to Facebook to catch up on the news, friends, and some of my groups on there. If given the chance, I will use up too much of my time. It's a habit I need to work on as it does distract. And oddly, is where I found the Steve Cutts video. So, a bit of odd irony. As with any new technology, I think it's very important as a teacher and parent to learn as much as possible to understand what having these tools really means and how they can be used to give voice to each other's experiences.
Peppler's writing on digital age gives us permission to see technology as a liberating and new perspective. I found her Ethical practices section a bit empty as it's only ethical concern was cheating. To me, this seemed a little naive considering the issues that do come up from misunderstandings from tone of one writing to another, social bullying, etc. It would be nice if everyone behaved on a professional level when it comes to creating but that's even difficult for some adults to do! Having rules helps to limit this and touching base with open conversation helps to make this less of an issue as well as air out potential issues
In conclusion, I would say the fear of the unknown is something to be embraced and really a challenge to see our world in a new way and yet knowing this is a tool that we control while not letting it control us. As with any person, we need to think of it in terms of creating good habits that don't overwhelm/distract us and those around us. There is much to be learned and gained from experiencing the arts on a technological background that lets the learner/creator view their world from a fresh perspective and creating new networks of social engagement.
