HISTORY

The idea for this project took shape in the summer of 1995 when a group of teachers at Mount Mary College began brainstorming on way that technology could be used in the classroom. A Request for Proposal was received from Ameritech who wished to fund a project which would demonstrate the use of technology in the classroom. The group devised a proposal in which faculty from both the Art and Education Departments would: Survey private schools in Wisconsin for the present use of technology, update college teaching staff in the use of technology, study curriculum integration, infuse the Elementary Art Curriculum (written for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Sister Carla Huebner) with technology, and update undergraduate and practicing teachers in the use of the computer as an artmaking tool.

The proposal to Ameritech was not funded. It was resubmitted to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Support Fund and was funded. Grant Activities included: Update in technology for college teachers, visitation of schools both inside and outside of Wisconsin with superior use of technology in teaching, and consultation with schools who are presently using an integrated curriculum.

Survey Results
In December, 1995 the technology survey was sent to 990 private schools in Wisconsin and by February, 1996 177 schools responded. The questionnaire dealt with types of computers, peripherals, internet access, networking, the purposes for which computers were being used, software types, and future plans. See Resources for the survey results which apply to this project.

Study Curriculum Integration
The bibliography shown in Resources was helpful in preparing both the college and elementary teachers for the task of integrating several content objectives in a single unit. The preparation and teaching of the course, Integrating The Curriculum, and participation in a research grant from the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters served as training for Dr. Baldridge. The materials developed for the above course served as a knowledge base for the unit writers which were hired to produce the units included in this Website.

Infuse the Curriculum with Technology used for Artmaking
Our goal to make the material published on this Website practical to both classroom teachers and art teachers has guided this phase of our project. Our writers used the software that was available in the schools. The units can be used by teachers with very little access to computers and by those with computers in their classrooms. The curriculum published here shows the addition of technology to the former art curriculum.

Update Undergraduate Students and Practicing Teachers
Mount Mary College will offer several opportunities for teachers in the area to attend workshops or courses on using the computer for artmaking. Check Resources for any continuing education opportunities at Mount Mary College.