Integrated media arts need two levels of integration--inside as well as outside

I believe that art education is a very important learning area in the general curriculum. First I consider that art is a coherent body rather than the distinct component within the curriculum; second, it also contributes to the goals of general education.  In the tutorial, it is mentioned that there are two layers in the integration of arts. The first layer is to combine two or more types of arts together, and the second layer is to integrate the arts within other learning areas.  

I found a good definition of arts integration--“is interdisciplinary work in the arts that enables students to identify and apply authentic connection between two or more disciplines and to understand essential concepts that transcend individual disciplines” (as cited National Arts Education Association, 2002).

The reason I support the arts integration is that I view the arts integration as another opportunity for students to learn in their academic areas. I consider arts integration can help students to learn more effectively with greater motivation. It is also believed that with promoting arts integration can lead to asserting that a non-artistic gain in students’ achievement can be made by the use of the artistic means (Hixson, 2007).  

These two pictures were drawn in terms of integrating the music into the visual arts. I enjoy it. I think bringing music into visual arts provides a different angle for me to understand both arts forms.  It also pushes me to use all my senses to feel the music.  Without needing to process all this information in my head, what I feel can be expressed freshly on the paper! I think combining arts would decrease students’ anxious feelings.  It allows personal interpretation of the original arts as well as their own works.  I feel I am liberated and relaxed when I am drawing as I can “see” the music and express it in my own way.

References

Hixson, A. R. (2007). A study of the effect of co-equal arts integration on student achievement in music and writing with fourth and fifth grade students. Shenandoah University. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Retrieved from http://ezproxy.utas.edu.au/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/304719730?accountid=14245