Text Box: A few years ago, one South Florence High School (SFHS) administrator began asking how to further expand the arts, and she kept seeing articles about music labs. Another administrator in the building was asking what sensible uses the school might make of technology monies, and she kept reading about the blend of arts with technology to support various learners with different preferred processing styles. The two began talking and the collaboration became what is now a widespread phenomenon at South Florence High School: the integration of arts and technology… and not just in the classrooms.  It’s in the classrooms, the hallways, the lunchroom, and the community.  What’s It Like?                           Walking into SFHS one sees trophy cases filled with artwork. Student designed and painted Text Box: logos and murals on walls visually represent the school’s smaller learning communities. Football players dance to increase agility.  ALL ninth graders perform Romeo and Juliet on stage, learning figurative language and how to fence.  Visual artists create music to explain their work. Weekly, before school or during lunch, students sing, recite poetry, or dance. Students learn to draw as a demonstration of their learning potential in life. English students create audio-visual representations of mood and tone. Algebra II students create books, and design and decorate roller coasters. Geometry students design architectural structures.  Chemistry students draw cartoons.  Biology students mold clay insects.  Global Studies students create clay tablets, writing their names on them in ancient languages. Why Bother?                           Consider several reasons. Brain Text Box: research says kinesthetic learners have the hardest time processing information given to them orally and visually.  rts and technology bridge the gap between hearing or seeing and learning. Students say, “Can we do that again?” Teachers say, “Students grades have improved. How Start?                             Every school has some technology. Every school has some people trained in the arts. So how might every school use arts and technology to best benefit students and learning? SFHS expanded arts and technology offerings through creating additional resources, training and supporting teachers, taking advantage of supportive leadership, celebrating successes, making it visual, making it integral to school improvement, inviting artists-in-residence, encouraging risk-taking, and reflecting on the process. Text Box: South Florence High Makes Art and Technology Work for Student and Adult Learners click here for more details Text Box: Florence, SC Text Box: Integrating Arts and Technology in the Classroom Text Box: www.fsd1.org/southflorence Text Box: Some South Florence High School Data Text Box: Some Resources · Personal Vision · People willing to ask, “What if…?” · Student interests · Personal passions · The Human and Humane Spirit · National Endowment for the Arts · Kennedy Center, Washington, DC · Ad Council · Teachers with arts backgrounds · Local parent, teacher, student associations Text Box: Arts

Text Box: Technology

Text Box: Q: Which comes first? Arts?          Or technology?

Text Box: A: Either!

 

2005-06

2008-09

Fine Arts Course Offerings

15

23

Fine Arts Integration

662

995

Course Requests for Arts Classes

473

739

Students in Arts Classes

596

724

Smart Systems

3

90

Computer Labs

1

3

Mobile Labs

1

8

LCD Projectors

3

82

Student Population

1560

1577

Graduation Rate

58.1%

75%