Peer Review

Smithsonian American Art Museum-Interactives

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Jun 9, 2009 by Teacher Education

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: This site provides links to American art work and American artist. Each of the links provides additional in depth information that is presented using a variety of multimedia elements.
Type of Material:: Online interactive art exhibitions, materials and resources.
Recommended Uses:: This site may be used by any grade level, any age level, with so much to offer. As an elementary classroom teacher this site could be used to reinforce American history concepts. In middle school students could learn about culture, ethnographies, and historical figures in America. High school teachers and college professor would find this site helpful with authentic artifacts that reinforce instructional methods.
Technical Requirements:: To view several of the interactive exhibits you need Flash, Quicktime, and/or Real Audio plug-ins.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: The Smithsonian American Art Museum, the nation's first collection of American art, is an unparalleled record of the American experience. The collection captures the aspirations, character and imagination of the American people throughout three centuries. The goals have been to identify significant aspects of American visual culture, actively collect, and exhibit works of art for our country. Learn about the history of America through art, artists, historical figures, facts, and related content.
Target Student Population:: Certainly art educators, but also K-20 educators and students can all find something engaging and worthwhile at this site. Those interested in history and social studies will find this a great resource.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Internet navigation skills

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: Excellent site. The links are all active. The images presented and the multimedia elements are all high quality- as expected from the Smithsonian. Furthermore, the abundance of resources as well as the variety in presentation styles is impressive. There are slideshows with mouse over pop ups to reinforce the facts about the images. The podcasts present a quality and detailed review of the content. Each of the links provides the user with a variety of multimedia elements to reinforce the learning...makes you want to keep on clicking to see what else is available. Information and updates for this site can be followed on the site's blog, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, and iTunes. There is a search slot available on every page to help you discover key concepts, artists or artwork.
Concerns:: None.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: The intent of the interactive exhibits and materials is to engage the viewer, share American visual culture, promote critical and creative and thinking, and provide a records of American history through art. The range of exhibits, resources, and materials is plentiful so that elementary through higher education students and instructors can investigate, explore, study and research art, artists, time periods, social conditions and situations, ethnographies, and authentic artifacts. This range supports independent work, group, and whole class assignments. The media-rich presentations also support face-to-face or online instruction. The site is well connected, too. Information can be found and tracked using the site's blog, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, and iTunes. The learner will be engaged and use this site to promote their knowledge of America history and art. The material can be used by students or by teachers to help supplement instruction or to reinforce concepts. Students may also use this site to learn more details about American art and history.
Concerns:: None. It's important to have all plug-ins needed to view the site.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: The is site clean, visually pleasing, well organized, and systematic in its layout. It is easy and intuitive in its navigation. The interactive menu bar across the top lets you know where you are and where you might choose to go. Sub-menus for each of the main choices appear in the left hand column of the given page. There is a search slot for the entire site. There is another search slot for all the art collections. There is a place to submit a question about art to Joan of Art. For all the information and media on the site, it is thoughtfully presented.
Concerns:: None.

Other Issues and Comments:: The Smithsonian American Art Museum is to be commended for its extensive educational outreach and exemplary use of media-rich content on this site.
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