Infusing Art in the 21st Century Classroom Series

Bring Art Back into the Classroom

The Infusing Art in the 21st Century Classroom Series courses are designed to give K-12 educators a knowledge base and appreciation for the visual arts.  Budget cuts, the intense focus on standardized testing, and the concentrated attention to Math, Science, and English Language Arts have minimized art inclusion in the classroom. This series promotes 21st Century learning skills that promote enhancing creativity, increasing self-confidence, promoting collaboration, and offers alternative ways in assessing learning. These courses prepare educators with the confidence and practice to infuse strategies into curriculum, no matter what level of artistic talent. Courses cover a variety of topics including elements of art, art history, artist styles, and specific art mediums. Choose the area that interests you and begin your creative exploration!

Learning Method Information

Online Self-Paced

Our online self-paced courses are similar to online fixed-date courses, but are designed to give you a six-month period from time of enrollment to complete all assignments. Your instructor will provide feedback via written responses on your assignments and exams. Grades are based on completed projects, assignments and exams.

How is the self-paced course structured? Like fixed-date courses, online self-paced courses are asynchronous meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime; the difference being there are no assigned due dates in self-paced courses. The content is divided into learning modules. Each module will cover one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:

• Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
• Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, websites, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).
• Assignments (which may include: written assignments, quizzes, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.
• Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.
• Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You’ll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.

Independent Study

Independent Study Self-Paced: Independent study courses offer you flexibility and the ability to complete a course faster or slower than you would a traditional live course. In this online format, you may register at any time and you will have a set time period (typically 9 months) from the time of registration to complete your course. This convenient format is often helpful for:

• Working professionals with tight schedules
• Students who require a specific course to meet professional development or recertification requirements
• Students living in remote locations
• Students who cannot easily attend courses due to injury or illness
• Students who are self-motivated and conscientious

SERIES CURRICULUM

Enroll in one or more courses in this series.

You can expect the following from these Independent Study Self-Paced courses:

• You can independently work on coursework, completing the course within nine months from enrollment
• You will read articles and watch videos, and interact with resources
• Instructor is available by email
• Completed assignments are submitted online upon completion of the entire course, and then evaluated by the assigned instructor
• Instructor provides feedback on your submitted work.  The final grade is issued and posted to your record for transcript.

You can expect the following from the Online Self-Paced courses in this series:

• You can independently work on coursework, completing each module’s assignment and waiting for instructor feedback before moving to the next module. Complete the course within six months from enrollment.
• You will read articles and watch videos, and interact with resources provided within the online course.

Benefits of USD’s Infusing Art in the 21st century series

• Bring art into the classroom across the curriculum
• Inspire creativity, learning, openness and dialogue
• Appreciate various art forms
• Promote inclusion with art

Instructors

Professional development courses offered by the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education are taught by faculty that possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.

Frequently Asked Questions