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WHEN TECHNOLOGY Art should be accessible to all students through a program where differences are appreciated, curiosity is ignited, and artists are nurtured in pursuit of their own voice and happiness. BY SUSAN TOMASES
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The Lantern
For the past two years, the Elementary•Middle School has offered Digital Art to their students as an elective course. The program was the brainchild of Gemma Flavin, a veteran elementary and middle school art educator having taught in Gloucester for over 20 years. Ms. Flavin also has a Master’s degree in Technology in Education and has fallen into her new role with an open mind, enthusiasm, and creativity. The tools of the trade in the Digital Art room are minimal but sophisticated. The campus made an initial investment in iPads, 3-D pens, and a SMART Board and the class occupies one of the
smallest classrooms on the campus to engage over 60 students throughout the day in projects that range from digital self portraits and three dimensional drawings using plastic filament to flip-book style animations, to name a few. When asked about the goal of her curriculum Flavin offers, “I want to get students comfortable with technology in as many formats as possible. We are working on creating original artwork to complement their coursework in other subjects. I want students to realize that powerful tools like an iPad can open up a world of opportunities for them. We work on becoming independent with FALL/WINTER 2015-2016