Integrating Art History

Learn strategies to make art history interesting, meaningful, and fun by planning rich learning opportunities in diverse and dynamic settings.

Making art history relevant is a common struggle in K-12 art classrooms. Trying to appeal to student interests while maintaining the integrity and richness of art history can be accomplished through personalized and dynamic strategies for art appreciation that will appeal to today’s students. This has profound implications when it comes to fostering art appreciation among students of all ages. In this course, participants will survey hundreds of years of art as they simultaneously plan rich learning opportunities for their students in diverse and dynamic settings.

See the course syllabus and Graduate Catalog for more details.

Required Materials

No text required for this course.

Additional Materials

Computer with basic audio and video output equipment
Internet access (broadband recommended)
Basic computing skills (see AOEU’s Technology Requirements)
Access to AOEU’s online learning platform, Brightspace, to view course content, submit assignments, and engage in discussion (provided)
A Google Drive account (not provided by AOEU)
Word-processing platform (Microsoft Office, Pages, Google Docs)

Graduate Credits

All courses will now close at 11 PM Central time on the 27th of each month. Graduate Credits 2 Graduate Credits

Price Graduate Credit $798.00

AOEU Course Code

ARE517

Morningside Course Code

EDUC500 AOE017

Course Objectives

Discover historical and contemporary artists and significant periods throughout art history.
Prepare and present new lessons inspired by museum websites, blogs, and social media.
Synthesize digital resources from a variety of art museums.
Research and plan local art museum visits that supplement current curricula.
Develop art history resources to facilitate studio explorations, discussions, and critiques.
Compose an action plan outlining personal goals for the implementation of art history concepts.

Course Breakdown

Week 1

Setting Up for Success

Explore ways to look at, analyze, and discuss artwork in the classroom setting.
Gain strategies for writing about art history in the classroom.

Week 2

Contextualizing Art History

Investigate a historical artist or time period you would personally like to learn more about.
Create an instructional resource based on your research.

Week 3

Connecting to Contemporary Art and Artists

Explore multiple online resources focused on contemporary art and artists.
Research a contemporary artist who will engage students and supplement your curriculum in dynamic ways.

Week 4

Accessing Tech Tools — Online Museums and Social Media

Navigate virtual tours of U.S. and international museums and art centers.
Discover artists and institutions that are using social media as you explore ways you can use those websites with students.

Week 5

Infusing Art History Into Teaching Strategies

Infuse art history content into your K-12 curricula.
Create an instructional tool for immediate use in your classroom.

Week 6

Including Underrepresented Artists in Your Curriculum to Engage in Diversity

Consider artists outside the mainstream and not typically featured in art curricula.
Plan a curriculum revamp showcasing underrepresented artists.

Week 7

Museum Visits and Virtual Tours

Explore the value of virtual museum tours and field trips.
Embark upon a museum visit of your own and use the experience to create meaningful artifacts for classroom use.

Week 8

Reflection on Art History

Create an action plan outlining your next steps as you integrate art history into your classes.
Reflect on the learning that has happened over the past eight weeks.

Connecting to Contemporary Art and Artists

A sample assignment from Week 2 of the class Integrating Art History

1. Research

Gain insights into cultural and social histories to help students recognize the value of art history. Explore how artists contribute to society at large.

2. Discussion

Discuss and share relevant and helpful resources as you research a selected contemporary artist.

3. Practical, Hands-On Application

Design an instructional tool to share your selected artist’s biography, artwork, and notable achievements with students.

"This course brought art history to life for me in the 21st-century art classroom environment."

Jeffrey M., FL

What do past course participants think?

Hundreds of art teachers have taken the course Integrating Art History. Here’s what they actually think — without cherry-picking.
(12-month rolling average from all post-course survey respondents – Updated 1/28/2021)

98.25%

Course content was relevant and current.

96.49%

Instructor was knowledgeable and provided value-added contributions.

100%

 I achieved the goals I set at the beginning of the course.   

Let's Get Started

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