Are you ready to use your passion for art to inspire and teach others? If so, a career in art education may be right for you. As an art educator, you could enjoy the sense of personal fulfillment that comes with leading future generations of artists at the elementary, high school or even college level.
If you’re thinking about a career in art education, one thing to keep in mind is that today’s art classrooms aren’t always in person. More often, it’s becoming commonplace for art teachers to meet with students virtually.
Challenges of Teaching Art Online
While online teaching opens up doors of opportunity to make art more accessible, it can also pose some unique challenges for educators.
Lack of Physical Materials and Studio Access
Online art classes, by their very nature, lack access to physical materials and dedicated art studios that you would otherwise find in a physical classroom or art campus. Instead, students may be tasked with providing their own materials, which could lead to discrepancies or inconsistencies regarding the supplies students have access to. Meanwhile, the lack of a dedicated art studio or space for students to work (and make messes) can pose other learning challenges.
Limited Real-Time Interaction
Among the most notable challenges of teaching art online is the simple lack of hands-on application and real-time interaction. When art classes are taught in-person, educators can directly demonstrate techniques and provide instant feedback to students. In the virtual classroom, by contrast, this valuable experience can be difficult to replicate.
Varying Student Technology Access
Educators interested in teaching online art lessons must also be aware of the simple fact that not all students have equal access to the technology needed to get the most out of virtual coursework. Reliable internet access may be difficult for some students to come by, which could make it difficult for them to attend classes or submit work.
Reimagining Traditional Art Projects for Digital Platforms
For educators interested in transitioning from physical classes to digital art lessons, taking the time to effectively “translate” traditional art projects to work on digital platforms is a must. In doing so, online educators can help students tackle creative projects at home that impart valuable lessons while offering opportunities for students to master techniques.
Drawing and Painting Lessons With Virtual Tools
In leading online drawing lessons, art teachers can integrate virtual tools (such as Adobe Photoshop) to simulate common painting and drawing techniques. In Photoshop, for example, students can experiment with the use of charcoal textures, watercolors and paintbrushes to achieve their desired look. Meanwhile, digital portrait projects offer students the opportunity to sharpen both their drawing skills and critical thinking skills using digital media.
Sculpture and 3D Projects at Home
For teachers looking to lead lessons or classes on 3D sculpting, there are also plenty of online tools and platforms that make this possible without the need for physical materials (which can be cost-prohibitive for some students to procure). Through the use of 3D modeling and sculpting software (such as Blender), students can learn and explore the principles of sculpting and designing in a virtual environment.
Photography and Mixed Media Assignments
Teachers looking to encourage online creative learning through photography and mixed media assignments can also explore such applications as Photoshop and Canva to help students create digital collages, visual journals and other eye-catching works of art. Students may even be able to scan in (or take photos of) sketches and other physical components to incorporate into their work.
Tools and Platforms to Enhance Online Art Education
Despite some of the inherent challenges that come with translating art lessons to a digital space, there are more art teacher resources than ever available to enhance virtual art education and help students make the most of their experiences.
Learning Management Systems (LMS)
For starters, the right learning management system can make all the difference when it comes to supporting student learning while making educators’ jobs easier. LMS platforms specifically designed for art education make online learning more accessible to students, while supporting effective communication and resource management between students and teachers. Meanwhile, the best LMS platforms may even integrate digital art tools and other resources (such as online portfolio builders) to support students in their educational journeys.
Video Demonstrations and Tutorials
For online art classes with a synchronous or live component, one of the best online resources for art teachers is a live video platform that allows for real-time discussion and demonstration. Specifically, platforms like Zoom and Google Meet make it easier for online art educators to meet with their classes in a synchronous format, enabling students to ask questions, see technique demonstrations and share their ideas in real-time.
Even in situations where live meetings aren’t possible, art educators can provide quality instruction and guidance through the use of video software to create comprehensive tutorials and demonstrate techniques for students in extensive detail.
Digital Critique and Collaboration Tools
With digital collaboration tools, it may even be possible for online art educators to assign and lead group projects. Some LMS platforms, for example, may incorporate digital critique and collaboration tools that allow students to upload their work, add their own comments and feedback to others’ work and contribute meaningfully to group assignments. These types of tools may allow online art educators to replicate the classroom experience in a virtual environment, enriching learning and comprehension as a result.
Keeping Students Engaged and Inspired
Online art educators may sometimes run into challenges when it comes to keeping students engaged, inspired and tuned into what’s going on in the virtual art classroom. Fortunately, there are some techniques and best practices art educators can keep in mind to optimize the experience.
Virtual Studio Time and Live Feedback
When possible, online art educators are encouraged to give students opportunities to meet with them synchronously. This may include holding virtual office hours or studio times, where educators can offer real-time feedback and one-on-one instruction to students. This dedicated studio time can be a great way for students to get the personalized guidance they need while giving them an opportunity to ask questions about class topics and techniques.
Creative Prompts and Thematic Challenges
Online art educators may also find success in keeping students engaged by incorporating creative prompts, thematic challenges and other unique activities into the virtual classroom. Teachers may explore digital sketchbook ideas and other creative projects that allow students to choose assignments tailored to their interests, encouraging experimentation and self-expression.
Showcasing Student Work in Online Galleries
Last but not least, online art educators can boost engagement and encourage students to submit their best work by hosting an online art gallery, where they can showcase chosen submissions from students in the class. This can also be a great way to help build confidence in young artists while preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of a career in art.
Tips for Educators Transitioning Art Lessons Online
When making the switch from in-person to virtual art lessons, there are a few tips and best practices educators can keep in mind to keep the transition as seamless as possible.
Prioritize Flexibility and Accessibility
First, remember that not all students will have the same access to resources, such as a reliable internet connection or even specific digital art software. Art educators can foster fairness by developing online art courses that utilize free and accessible software, and by offering flexibility with deadlines and live workshops.
Encourage Process Over Product
In an online art class, it’s common for educators to see very little of the actual process a student went through to complete a project. Unfortunately, when you focus only on the finished product in grading, you could miss out on valuable insights into each student’s learning process. Instead, art educators should make an effort to encourage process over product with regular check-ins, Q&A sessions and other opportunities for discussion.
Build Community and Celebrate Progress
While it may be more difficult to foster a sense of community and engagement in an online art classroom when compared to an in-person classroom, educators can still take proactive measures to build community and celebrate everybody’s progress along the way.
You could give students a platform to share their work in progress and solicit constructive feedback from classmates. This, in addition to assigning occasional group assignments, could help students build meaningful relationships and cultivate a sense of belonging with others in the class.
Interested in a Career in Art Education?
In today’s evolving educational landscape, the need for art teachers who can lead with confidence in both physical and virtual classrooms continues to increase. Whether you envision yourself leading virtual art classes for adults, teaching virtual art lessons at the college level or even designing an online art curriculum for a client, knowing the ins and outs of teaching art virtually is a must.
At Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design, our Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education (which is offered both on-campus and online) offers dedicated coursework that gives students the opportunity to learn about leading both in person and virtual classrooms and overcoming common online learning challenges for K-12 students. Reach out to learn more about this program and our admissions process, then get started with your application today.
