For Immediate Release

Monday, Nov. 26, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

SST Digital Media Arts Teacher to Present on Innovative Classroom Strategy at National Conference

EXETER — Principal Margaret Callahan is pleased to announce that Kristine Groleau, Digital Media Arts teacher at Seacoast School of Technology, earned a spot as a presenter at this year’s National Art Education Association conference for her innovative teaching strategy.

Groleau’s presentation, “Develop Drawing Skills and Concepts for Digital Designers,” works to help students gain a better understanding of design principles and elements.

As part of the annual event for educators and administrators, Groleau will run a 25-minute demonstration to illustrate how she works with students in her classroom.

“We’re so excited that Kristine is attending this prestigious conference to share her  hands-on curriculum component with educators from around the country,” Principal Callahan said. “It’s an excellent opportunity for her to showcase one of the many fantastic programs here at SST.”

In 2013, while finishing her master’s degree, Groleau stumbled upon the article, “Making connections: building artistic insight for digital design” by Eugene A. Garone. The article stated that students pursuing undergraduate degrees in art often enter a post-secondary program with little to no knowledge on design elements and principles.

“After I read that, I was like, he’s right,” Groleau said. “A lot of students, even if they’re here for two years, have trouble articulating the design principles and elements, so I thought it would be a good idea to do a hands-on activity that could further reinforce them.”

SST’s Digital Media Arts program combines courses in graphic design, animation, web design and video production.

For the first semester, students begin class once to twice a week with a five minute exercise Groleau created. Each person receives a Post-it and is instructed to draw a design element or principle. By the end of the unit, students have 20 different Post-its that can be used for their portfolios.

In one activity, students focused on illustrating the design element, “line.” After selecting an image — like a baseball, doughnuts or teacup — they then drew it using only straight lines. Students are then expected to apply what they learned in the activity in their daily work.

“The ultimate purpose is to help students improve and expand upon their drawing skills and their knowledge of the principles and elements of design,” Groleau said. “So they can then talk intelligently about their work and the work of others.”

Conference attendees will complete a similar exercise and receive instructions and materials to implement the activity in their classrooms if they so desire.

About Seacoast School of Technology:

The Seacoast School of Technology is the regional Career and Technical Center serving high school students from Epping, Exeter, Newmarket, Raymond, Sanborn Regional and Winnacunnet high schools.

SST offers selective coursework preparing students for their lives after high school- college, work or the military. Many of their 12 programs allow students to earn college credit and industry-recognized certifications while fulfilling their high school graduation requirements. Most importantly, students get the opportunity to explore areas of interest in a hands-on environment with state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology.

To find out more, visit seacoasttech.com.

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