How Did COVID Change the Way Art Can Be Taught?
How COVID Changed the Way We Teach Art Online: My Journey of Adapting and Embracing New Technologies to Teaching Art Online as Arts Instruct.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought challenges none of us could have predicted. Schools closed, classrooms shifted online, and for many educators, including myself, the way we approached teaching had to change drastically. As an art teacher, I suddenly found myself in unfamiliar territory – teaching a hands-on, visual subject through a screen.
Initially, I wondered how I could translate the visual, tactile experience of creating art into an online format. How could I effectively guide students through techniques, inspire creativity, and give them the support they needed from a distance? The transition was challenging, but it also pushed me to develop new skills and explore innovative ways to engage with students.
Adapting to Online Platforms
When the pandemic hit, like many educators, I had to quickly familiarise myself with video conferencing tools like Google and Microsoft Teams. At the time I was working for a forward thinking academy, and whilst I was the only art teacher at the school, teaching did become a supportive group collaboration. As a teacher taught, two other members of staff would manage the chat box and any technical difficulties students had. It was certainly different, teaching over 100 students in silence! Teaching through a screen required me to rethink how I delivered my lessons. In a physical classroom, it’s easy to walk around, check in with students individually, correct work and provide instant feedback. Online, those interactions needed to be more deliberate and structured.
I had to quickly adapt my approach to teaching art online. Instead of using traditional classroom methods like focused starters, I incorporated more interactive elements like quizzes, thought clouds, and discussions to engage students from the start. Since not all students had access to printers or specific art supplies, I ensured that materials and tasks were easily adaptable with whatever resources they had at home.
I also began using pre-recorded video demonstrations to break down techniques into manageable steps, allowing students to follow along at their own pace. Quiet periods were built into the lessons for students to practice and complete tasks independently. I implemented a system for students to upload their work and used this platform to provide individualised and group feedback, creating a smooth workflow that encouraged creativity even in a remote setting.
Learning How to Demonstrate Art Differently
At first, it felt a little awkward demonstrating art on camera, but with time, I became more comfortable using technology as a teaching aid. I discovered that by breaking down techniques into smaller, manageable chunks and slowing down the pace of demonstrations, students were able to follow along more easily from home. I also had to make sure that they had detailed instructions so that they could carry on at home once the lesson ended.
One of the biggest challenges was finding new ways to demonstrate techniques that usually involve physical interaction, like showing how to blend colors with paint or the subtle movements of a pencil to create texture. I started recording close-up videos of my hands while I worked, so students could see every detail, pausing the video at key moments to explain what I was doing. These recordings became a valuable resource that students could revisit whenever they needed.
I also had to get creative with the materials I used. Many students didn’t have access to traditional art supplies at home, so I learned to modify lessons using materials they had around the house. Projects that relied on paints or clay were replaced with everyday items like pencils, markers, or recycled materials, opening up new ways for students to explore creativity within their limitations.
The Power of Flexibility and Adaptability
Teaching art online taught me the importance of flexibility. I quickly realised that every student’s situation was different. Some had access to more resources than others, and internet issues or limited space at home could make learning difficult. It was crucial to create flexible lesson plans and offer alternative ways for students to engage with the material.
I learnt to be more patient with both myself and my students. Online teaching requires more time, more explanation, and more compassion. It wasn’t always easy, but it allowed me to develop deeper connections with students as we navigated this new way of learning together. I found students who were often shy in the classroom began to share more with me and students who struggled in the classroom suddenly became more confident and creative.
While the shift to online teaching was a significant adjustment, it also gave me new perspectives on how art can be taught. Here are a few key takeaways from my experience:
Technology as a Teaching Tool: I learnt that technology can be a powerful ally in art education. From video demonstrations to digital drawing apps, integrating tech opened up new possibilities for both me and my students.
Creativity Through Constraints: Teaching with limited resources forced me to get creative and think outside the box, and it showed my students that art isn’t just about expensive supplies – it’s about the ability to create with whatever you have.
The Importance of Flexibility: Every student learns differently, and being adaptable in my approach allowed me to meet their individual needs, whether that meant adjusting lesson plans or offering extra support.
Building Connections Online: Despite the physical distance, teaching art online strengthened my connection with students. We relied on communication, collaboration, and creativity in ways we hadn’t before.
Now that I’m no longer in the classroom, I find myself reflecting on how the experience of teaching during COVID opened my eyes to a new world of education. The pandemic pushed me to embrace new technologies, flexibility, and creative approaches that have now become central to how I teach art. Even though I’m no longer physically in the classroom, I’m able to continue doing what I love—connecting with students and inspiring creativity—no matter where I am.
COVID showed me that art education is adaptable and resilient. Whether in person or online, creativity always finds a way to thrive, and that’s a lesson I’ll carry with me as I continue to teach and engage with students from around the world.
Written By: Jo Fellowes
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