Comments on: Thoughts on Teaching Art Appreciation and History

By: Ja'Nette Best

Ja'Nette Best — Mon, 05 May 2008 01:49:34 +0000

I love art. This is a class I’m taking just for the pure joy of it. I love that peek into the past. It teaches us so much more when we are able to read in history books. It gives us a visual of what things were like. I’ve never liked history, but art has given me an appreciation for it. It is indeed like looking through a portal of time. It gives us insight and hopefully helps us to make the necessary changes so we do not make the same mistakes of the past. Art has shown us the way of our ancestors through an aesthetic means.

By: Aaron Wallace

Aaron Wallace — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:46:49 +0000

Art is now my life, and I anxiously wait for the day it becomes everyone else’s life as well. Art has documented our best, our worst, the mistakes we’ve made, and the feelings we’ve felt. Art, History, especially Art History… should all be required courses from the very beginning of our education. I had quite the proud moment last night when my seven year old corrected my wife on the pronunciation of Henri Matisse’s name when we were discussing the Red Room during family time last night… (My wife called him Henry). A thousand miles an hour from 8am to 11pm, I hope that I can become a better manager of time so that I too can spread the joy of Art History in the future. Thank you for the great class, I’ve enjoyed your 114 class online more so than my 115 face-to-face class (even though the instructor is much cuter… no offense). If you remember, please try to post any online classes you plan to teach in upcoming semesters to the announcement page, I’d love to take another class that gives me so much to think about. I have really come to some very profound conclusions this semester, and your class has over prepared me for my other classes. It feels great to be able to tell your instructor that the Victory stele of Naram-Sin was Akkadian when she forgets, and asks if anyone in the class remembers what Near Eastern peoples created it. Very enjoyable class, very enthusiastic instructor… these things are seldom separate of each other and I thank you for the wonderful experience.

By: Robin Bella

Robin Bella — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:36:58 +0000

When I decided to start back to school after many years, I thought I would start off with some ‘easy’ classes, just to get back into the ’swing’ of things. I must say, Art Appreciation has been one to open my eyes. Not that it was a difficult class…but the impression it has let on me is the most inspiring. Yes, I have always been an admirer of art. But by taking your class I have learned to take more than a quick glance and say “ooo, that’s pretty!”…and I have learned to take time, to really l@@k at it…to wonder, to question… I even find myself ‘inspecting’ the Klimt I have hanging in my bedroom!
Thank you Mr. K for being an inspiration!

By: Elizabeth Thompson

Elizabeth Thompson — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:54:58 +0000

This is my first art course that I’ve taking on-line. Taking this course at WCC has given me such a new visual aspect of art. Mr. K has given so much information for me to understand art in different levels. Because when I first begun this class I new I was in somthing that was just so Greek to me. But with the instuctions that Mr. K has provided with this course it has given me such a drive to learn more about art history. As seeing thought out this class art is so active in our every day life. I just would say to anyone you need to take an art class it will give such a new way to view your everyday life in a much stronger level. Mr.K thank you for sharing the knowledge that you have and allow us to be part of something that you care and love so much. I feel like what I’ve learned with this course is that it has not just blessed me but it has shown my family understanding of in our everyday life that art is such an impact on our life. Thank YOU Mr. K hope to take oter class from you in the future. Elizabeth T

By: Patrick Keough

Patrick Keough — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:06:22 +0000

I think it is fortunate that colleges require students from all programs of study to take a humanities class like art appreciation Yolanda. Your response to my post reinforces my believe that arts and humanities courses broaden students in many ways, in addition to giving you (the student) some new insights into things you may have never been exposed to before. Yes Yolanda I do think an appreciation of art can help you in your nursing career and thanks for the compliment. I do try to make the course interesting, creative and fun. I am very blessed to have wonderful children and to be able to impact the lives of my students in some small way.

By: Yolanda M. Harper

Yolanda M. Harper — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:25:26 +0000

I’ve said many times that alot of classes that I take have nothing to do with my wanting to become a nurse. Taking this Art appreciation class has helped me in so many more ways than one. Not just the world of art that surrounds me but life beyond that world. I have to look at people in many different images and forms when I become a nurse I can’t look at someone and know the story behind what the problem may be for what they came in to seek treatment for.

You are trluy a blessed man Mr. K for you have been able to indulge yourself in many of lifes wonders of a new world. I see that your family as well have been enriched by the amzing world that you have surrounded yourself with, congratulations on your sons graduating and I do hope that Andei had a wonderful time in Germany.

There is tyruly so much more to art as you stated, I for one haev had an amazing time and experience through out this new journey to an enchantted world that I never thought about entering. Mr. K I would love to be in another class with you, you’ve been a wonderful person to virtually work with……..I will never LOSE SIGHT!!!!!!! Even if I were to be blinded, I know there is so much more to what surrounds me.

You are a superb teacher, THANKS!!!!

By: Susan Haddock PCC

Susan Haddock PCC — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:26:12 +0000

I have been taking Art History Survey thi semster with Mr. K and I really appreciate the love he has for art. I can tell through his reponses to the post made in class. Being in the class with him has encouraged me to dedicate more time in my art. I feel that not doing so is letting him down. I see that art seems to affected his life in a positive way and I want it to do the some for me. This semster has been busy for me but with a teacher who loves what he teaches this much I try to do my best.

By: camilla Lambert

camilla Lambert — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:05:37 +0000

Hello Mr. K, ou are the bomb! Taking art from you online has been such a great experience. You truely have an eye for the world of art. To be able to show people through computer has completly amazed me. I really thought this would be difficult to learn online, without being able to see and experience what you see. I was proven wrong, you helped me to feel at ease with the class and how to show you what I see. Thank you.

Your site has been a wonderful trip to places I can only imagine. Nice family you have. I myself have four kids and three whom are teenagers and a six year old. Maybe oneday I will be able to take my own pictures of such places.

I myself am going to school to be a teacher. Technology has become so advanced and scary, it makes me nervouse to teach. I can only hope to be able to face the challenge as you have. It is so true about the learning something new from your students everyday, I know I do. I am now working as a teacher assistant in a hight school, I know I learn everyday from them.

By: Jennifer Montgomery

Jennifer Montgomery — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:24:44 +0000

I am taking Mr.K’s Art Apprication class online and I find it very wonderful. Im in the Architectual field and learning more about structures from how they were designed to what they were designed for has made this class even more enjoyable. I have really learned a lot about the many forms of art since taking this class and want to go and see the art itself in person. I am planning on taking a trip to a couple of museums soon so that I can see some of the amazing things in art. I hope that I will be able to have you agian in another art class because I have learned a lot and enjoyed everything that we learned with our walk through time in art. Thank you so much for being a wonderful teacher this semester.

By: Brandi Cowan

Brandi Cowan — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:44:28 +0000

I took art appreciation last semester as just a “filler course” and I enjoyed it so much I decided to take art history this semester. Art is really something that you could study forever and find something new each day. Art tells the stories of its time period and in a way it creates illustrations for the narration of the times. When I was younger I used to hate going on field trips to museums, they were so boring and pointless to me. Now that I am older and have actually studied art, I really enjoy going to different museums. Knowing the different styles and the things that were going on when the art was created gives me much more appreciation for the work. Art has become a big part of my life and I hope to keep it that way. I have really enjoyed having this class, and you as my instructor. I hate that the semester is almost over, but maybe I’ll have you again in the future.