Making Connections

Sound art has a lot of classroom potential! Not only is it obscure enough to trigger students’ interest, but it also opens them up to experimental forms they might never have encountered, challenging traditional Western understandings of music. It also encourages slowing down and deep listening in our fast-paced, screen-centered lives. Students get to learn the basics of audio recording and editing software while incorporating their lived experiences, cultures, and environments through field recordings. Additionally, sound art could be more accessible to some students, as it can be independent or collaborative, offers an alternative sensory experience to visual and text-based media, provides an outlet for processing emotions, and supports identity exploration. Lastly, sound art connects with interdisciplinary fields such as science and technology.

Digital Collage similarly has a lot of classroom potential. Many youth are interested in learning to use programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, or GIMP, and digital collage is a great way to learn the basics. Students can also bring their lived experiences and interests into the process by using their own photography, digital drawings, and materials they find online and offline, encouraging identity exploration. With digital collage, students do not have to print out materials and can easily undo mistakes once they get the hang of their chosen program. Being able to undo mistakes, remix, and make changes might encourage some students to take risks, further developing visual literacy. Lastly, digital collage can spark discussions about copyright, fair use, etc., important information to understand.