A group of University of Saint Francis students are presenting their research at the Art Education Association of Indiana annual convention November 11-12 in Fishers, Indiana.
Art Education majors Emilie Fisher, Cassidy Emenhiser, Brittney Renninger and Pre-Art Therapy major Mackenzie Lepper, will present “Tradition and Tech: A Therapeutic Blend.”
Their research will illustrate how technology and traditional art techniques can take art programs to new levels. This concept appeals to diverse learners including traditional, alternative and special needs, bringing “art as therapy” to the classroom. Through art education and art therapy classes, the USF students have learned how to create lesson plans and experiential activities that motivate students to express themselves through their artwork, and then re-enact those expressions on the “green screen” creative play space. This lends itself to choosing an environment to express fears, challenges and aspirations, which can benefit the classroom climate. Participants at the conference will take away with them an innovative way of integrating their current practices with technology that is at their fingertips.