This fall, I will offer a free virtual teacher training camp where participants can learn to use technology to make art in the classroom. Here are details about the program:

  • Ten weekly two-hour Zoom sessions

  • Access to curriculum

  • Opportunity to practice and present

  • Join a community of learners

Applications are closed for this round but there will be upcoming opportunities. Join the mailing list for updates.

Schedule

Meeting weekly on Thursdays from 5 pm to 7 pm PT (-7 UTC)

1st meeting - September 26

2nd meeting - October 3

3rd meeting - October 10

4th meeting - October 24

5th meeting - November 7

6th meeting - November 14

7th meeting - November 21

8th meeting - December 5

9th meeting - December 12

Final meeting - December 19

Proposed Curriculum

(updated Sept 25)

Session 1: Exploring Digital Art with p5.js

Objective: Introduce p5.js as a digital art-making tool, emphasizing its potential for creating visual art.

  • Overview of p5.js and setting up the environment.

  • Activity: Create simple digital compositions using shapes and colors.

  • Discussion: How to make digital art accessible and inclusive.

  • Extended Activity: Start the "Digital Garden" collaborative project where each participant creates a unique digital piece reflecting their artistic expression.

Session 2: Interactive Art: Drawing with Movement

Objective: Explore the relationship between art and interactivity using p5.js to create art that responds to the viewer's actions.

  • Introduction to kinetic art and interactive elements in p5.js.

  • Activity: Create mouse-controlled interactive art pieces.

  • Discussion: How to adapt interactive projects for environments with limited technology.

  • Extended Activity: Design an interactive art project with minimal tech resources, suitable for a wide range of classroom settings.

Session 3: The Art of Animation: Bringing Visuals to Life

Objective: Use animation techniques to explore the dynamic possibilities of digital art.

  • Basics of animation and keyframes in p5.js.

  • Activity: Animate simple shapes and create a visual narrative.

  • Extended Activity: Develop a culturally inspired animated story, encouraging participants to incorporate elements from their cultural backgrounds into their animations.

Session 4: Patterns in Art: Creating Complex Visuals through Repetition

Objective: Explore the artistic potential of patterns and repetition in digital art.

  • Introduction to loops, patterns, and symmetry in p5.js.

  • Activity: Create a repeating pattern inspired by natural forms.

  • Extended Activity: Translate digital patterns into physical art forms such as textiles or ceramics, exploring eco-friendly themes.

Session 5: Generative Art: Embracing the Unpredictable

Objective: Introduce the concept of generative art and explore its unpredictable nature.

  • Introduction to randomness and noise in p5.js.

  • Activity: Create a simple generative art piece using random functions.

  • Extended Activity: Develop a generative art project that reflects a social issue or raises awareness, incorporating randomness to create dynamic visual outcomes.

Session 6: Sound and Vision: Creating Audio-Reactive Art

Objective: Explore the intersection of sound and visual art, creating dynamic, audio-reactive pieces.

  • Introduction to connecting sound inputs with visual outputs in p5.js.

  • Activity: Create an audio-reactive visual piece using environmental sounds.

  • Extended Activity: Design a portable sound-reactive installation that can be displayed in a community setting, integrating natural soundscapes into the artwork.

Session 7: Typography as Art: Exploring Text in Visual Design

Objective: Use text as a visual element in art, exploring the creative potential of typography.

  • Introduction to text functions and animation in p5.js.

  • Activity: Create an animated typographic design that incorporates multiple languages.

  • Extended Activity: Apply typography in storytelling projects, where text and visuals combine to create narrative-driven digital art pieces.

Session 8: Art through Play: Creating Interactive Art Games

Objective: Explore the playful side of art by creating interactive art experiences that blend art and games.

  • Overview of incorporating game mechanics into digital art.

  • Activity: Design an interactive art game that educates or entertains, focusing on storytelling through user interaction.

  • Extended Activity: Explore how these interactive games can be translated into physical outputs, such as digital designs fabricated into tangible objects.

Session 9: Mixed Media Art: Integrating p5.js with Other Tools and Techniques

Objective: Combine p5.js with other creative tools and techniques to explore the potential of mixed media in digital and physical art.

  • Overview of combining digital art with physical media.

  • Activity: Create a mixed media art project using p5.js and other tools like Arduino or laser cutters.

  • Extended Activity: Develop an interactive installation that combines visual art, sound, and physical interaction, using p5.js as the central tool.

Session 10: Final Art Project: Development and Showcase

Objective: Apply all the skills and concepts learned throughout the course to create a final art project that showcases the intersection of digital and physical art.

  • Activity: Participants develop their personal art projects, receive peer feedback, and present their work in a virtual gallery.

  • Discussion: Reflect on the learning process and explore opportunities to publish lessons, give workshops, or share experiences with local teachers.

  • Extended Activity: Encourage participants to consider how they can continue integrating creative coding into their teaching practice and future projects.