I did all the work. All the work was there. I shared parts along the way. I reflected during and after the journey. I am always reflecting. Please enjoy the following work that demonstrates my learning through travel experiences.
I am sharing this with others so that they too may be inspired to go to far away places and learn about our world history.
Slideshow link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1KnrmV5oon-Bci1Ly3-yxRrQ5VXIm313exIPs_Ar_ZpQ/edit?usp=sharing
Please pardon the extra grainy quality on the slides. I was frustrated with GoogleSlides because it did not let me upload my original presentation. I had to copy and enlarge each slide to share via GoogleSlides online.
Course # PEDU 9200 Developing a Curriculum for Academic Enrichment
3 credits
Part 1: Southern Spain & Morocco
Travel study has positively impacted my professional development as an art educator. I started traveling for educational experience in 2007. I studied abroad at the University of Cambridge in England in their International Summer Program. After my term of study, I did a 10-day European tour designed by my small group of peers. We worked together to travel through Greece, Italy, France, Spain, and England. I had discovered a passion for world history and I used art as a way to examine the connections between cultures and what others declared valuable. I have traveled on my own and I have had the opportunity to travel with others in a tour group. Every time I travel, I consider it to be an opportunity to gain personal experience that I can share with others.
Traveling to Southern Spain and Morocco was a dream. Perhaps it is my dreams that direct my travels. I create art based on ideas that have inspired me. Most of my inspiration came from exposure to travel shows and Carmen San Diego mystery books when I was a child. I sought to learn more about the artwork valued around the world. I learned that there were institutions that protected these treasures. I also learned that these places were each unique and the cultures that enabled their existence were worth exploring.
My own heritage had directed me to Spain through an ancestor that had immigrated to Chile, where my parents are from. I wondered about the historical events that had occurred in Spain. It inspired artists and explorers for ages. As I began to look at the Spanish treasures, I learned about their past exchanges with Northern Africa through trade with Arabic civilizations and even to the extent of the Roman Empire. It really amazes me to see how events shape the history of a place. The design of the Alhambra directly reflects the legacy of the Moors in Spain. The transformation of the Mezquita in Cordoba contains so many clues. It was valuable to visit those sites to study directly and then travel through Morocco and view firsthand the culture that is directly responsible for the design. I learned so much history and saw what elements were communicated through art. The fact that they can still be seen today supports the importance of their legacy. The tradition of architecture in the region had been practiced for centuries. It was valued by other conquering forces that they chose to preserve it and “improve” upon them to maintain the royal status of the party in power.
Morocco was also beautiful because it felt foreign and romantic. I do not know Arabic and I am thankful I had the opportunity to discover Morocco with the help of wonderful guides. There were so many new experiences to process. I was thankful I had traveled with a group so that I could focus on being present and aware of the sights, smells, sounds, flavors and sensations. We went to many cities in Morocco. I was fascinated by the similarities in the design of the city centers. There were fortresses, markets, schools, mosque, palaces, and so much more. The markets were like mazes that featured all types of crafts: ceramics, metal, leather, textile, and spices. I appreciated the visits to studios and showrooms so that I could learn about the art forms that I practice and share with my students.
I created a journal to make art related to this trip. I also wrote in a notebook and collected hundreds of photographs to document my studies. I intend to publish my art, reflections, and photographs online to share with those who are interested. Since starting the school year, I have given my students opportunities to explore my artifacts in class and ask questions. I also created a display in my school to share highlights of my journey give them insight of the direction and influences in my curriculum for the year. We will be working on sculpture with clay, woven textile patterns, and geometric mosaic designs. I look forward to sharing the personal experiences to further support the concepts I am teaching my students.
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