Really! I just launched Art History For Real, an online learning platform that delivers unconventional learning experiences about art history with online self-paced, courses available in two formats, Mini Courses and Deep Dives. My goal is to bring the inspirational world of art to learners with courses that teach art differently than traditional online or in-person art history classes or museum programs. Art History For Real courses share art and its stories through a modern lens. My goal is to make art relevant, fun, instructive and inspirational. And most importantly, that it connects to learners’ life experiences. Why I Started Art History For RealAs a museum-goer, educator and docent I saw how people wanted to experience art and culture in museums but couldn’t because of barriers inherent to museum experiences that included and were not limited to: unwelcoming environments and elitist attitudes. With COVID there are additional barriers that make visiting museums onerous and, in some cases, impossible! Visitors getting to museums is not the only challenge, cultural institutions are struggling with making themselves appear relevant and in-tune with the real world. I decided to create an alternative for people to engage with art. I put my twenty-plus years’ experience in curriculum design, Master’s Degree in education, background in art history and passion for sharing art with others to work by creating approachable learning experiences that inspire new ways of thinking about art, other cultures and life. Learning experiences at Art History For Real (AHFR) are unique with courses that explore art through unconventional lenses, like Fashionistas That Rocked Art History and 7 Kickass Women in Art History. Courses and conversations are designed to involve learners with interactive content and reflection activities that prompt learners to consider and apply insights to their own work and life experiences. Passive online learning about art history is out, engaged learning is in! Unique Learning ExperiencesMini Courses Mini Courses are short, two-to-three-hour courses that present art history through a modern lens with courses such as 7 Kickass Women in Art History and A Short History of Wine Drinking Culture through 7 Famous Paintings. Content is divided into ten-minute learning chunks or segments and include: images of artworks, interactive digital collages and images, exploration videos, stories and more—all designed to entertain, motivate and inspire. Reflection activities are designed to involve learners by posing questions to prompt thought and reflection, and to challenge learners to consider different perspectives. Other activities encourage leaners to apply their ideas and opinions through writing or creating. Learners are also invited to participate in course discussion forums to share opinions. Learning, as all educators know, is not achieved through passive consumption of content, but requires learners do something with the content through a mode of application. That is the goal with Mini Courses, to foster inspiration, ideas and new perspectives about culture, art and current events with engaged learning. Deep Dives Deep Dives are in-depth courses that focus on more traditional topics of art history, and dig deep into key topics of art and culture from real-world perspectives. Courses are self-directed, fully online and divided into eight modules with over twenty hours of learning content delivered in condensed segments. Learners’ journeys can be as deep or broad as they choose. Content includes videos, journal articles, textbook readings, images, interactive digital collages, and more. Module assignments include reflection activities, writing assignments, artworks analysis and creating visual projects. Assignments are designed to promote thought, build knowledge and develop skills of interpretation and cultural analysis. In keeping with the philosophy of self-directed learning, leaners complete self-assessment using self-grading tools. Who is Art History For Real For?Art History For Real is for people who are curious, who want to engage and be active in exploring art and its history, consider different cultures and viewpoints and be part of a learning community. I invite you to explore our courses at Art History For Real to learn more, and to sign up for a free preview of any course. Join us and be part of a learning community! You can us on Instagram.
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Museums for Real is a blog with insights and ideas on how to make museums relevant and enjoyable for everyone.
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