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Art Learning
makes a leap via the Net
Human knowledge has always been passed on from one generation to another through careful nurturing and continuous education of the budding young by the elders. Such important and continuous tasks were sustainable across human history through the various approved social institutions with their varying modes in the relative ages and times. Art learning, in particular, has followed this curve with documentation showing us in great detail how art learning was mainly achieved through individual apprenticeship of pupils in the master’s workshop learning all aspects of the craft under his watchful eye, to eventually become competent enough to venture on their own after a rigorous vetting by the relevant guild. Things have, in time, moved on of course to the school and college systems with the teacher still holding a prominent place in the process, albeit that role has become less and less personal. Now, in the age of the internet and speedy communications, art learning is still evolving to adapt to modern times and so, art learning (as well as learning in general) , is gradually becoming a viable option via the internet! One Australian site that has embraced this idea of art learning via the internet is the Art Learning Network,
http://www.artlearn.net
Run by Paul Reader of the N.S.W city of Armidale,
as an independent
enterprise offering art courses to
the public, and surprisingly many of these are totally free courses! One could be forgiven of being skeptic about the possibility of learning how to draw or paint through an impersonal medium like the internet, but when I decided to investigate the whole thing I was really surprised. Right on the front page, Paul states the philosophy that underlines such an endeavour, “ In a sense the Internet is the new university in the original meaning of the word. We are all learners and teachers in this new communication environment ! “ How true and to the point!! artlearn.net began as a practical experiment in July 1999. It offered an introductory drawing course (12-20 weekly sessions) via the Internet. The course was developed around a studio group of home- schooling families in Armidale, NSW, with participants aged 9-40+. The course was modelled on a traditional art-school. At present new students continue to enrol in the on-line course. To quote Paul in one of his research papers: “I saw in the Internet an opportunity to communicate about art and the core aspects that lead to this liberation that art-making provides.” And in another section : “people like discover their potential in art, to create art. If necessary they will pursue this, even forgoing income to take up a place in art school full-time. It was obvious not everyone could get or gain admission to an art school. I reasoned that 25-30% of people would be predisposed to take up art”. No doubt these are the words of a lateral thinker and an educational with a real sense of his social obligation added to his firm belief that technological innovation can go well beyond consumerism and it can be a tool to fulfil a real need in the society! The site is divided into many sections that deal with art teaching, art resources and opportunities to develop art career, among other things. On to the Learning Centre, lessons start in a logical fashion and develop in a structured way with detailed instructions on the purpose of the lesson, preceded by an ample introductory discussion, one finds it so easy to have a go and try to put the ideas discussed onto paper. Helped with visual aids in the form of scanned work, one can grasp what is it all about and can compare the results with others work. One other aspect of the site I found most invaluable, is a section where students can have discussions about their work and exchange their views, ask questions and develop a sense of belonging and a kind of camaraderie with each other and their teacher, a great way to open communication channels and encourage positive interaction, just like in any real life learning environment.
A quick glimpse at
Paul’s bio is
perhaps in order at this point, Paul Reader is "the principal" of artlearn.net, and a post-graduate researcher in the School of Administration & Training, University of New England. He graduated in Fine Art (Hons), Leeds Polytechnic in 1972 and exhibited as an artist at the ICA London, and Bath International Arts Festival. For the last twenty years he as been engaged in community development, TAFE teaching, the community arts, and public art projects, at regional locations in Australia. Paul is currently researching the impact of visual art education in the lives of graduates. The research is based on in-depth interviews with twelve art school graduates seven or more years after their graduation. The study which is nearing completion will be submitted for the degree of Master of Education (Hons) Adult Education & Training at the University of New England, In conclusion, this is a very interesting site that is far from being just an experiment in education via the internet, So give it a visit, and if you were trying to get some art study but couldn’t go to art school for any reason, this is your chance to have a go and see if takes you further towards discovering that Artist Within!
Check
it out at http://www.artlearn.net
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