District/School Administration PK-16 Program Support Educational Technology
Technology Toolkit

Reciprocating Art
Shrewsbury Public Schools

Description of Activities

Before any artwork was created, the art teacher communicated with the school in Japan. A translator used Japanese language converter software to send the art teacher's email messages to the Japanese teachers, as well as to translate the emails he received. Each stage of the process was documented with a VHS video camera so that the students could communicate with the other school, and the video was saved on a CD. The huge difference in language and customs would have been overwhelming had it not been for the aid of technology for communication.

The classes prepared for the art exchange. Thirty-nine first through fourth grade American students met after school once a week to create backgrounds for paintings. In Japan the thirty-nine first grade students did this work during school time. Both groups of students used paint to create their backgrounds. As they prepared to mail them, the American class demonstrated on the video how the collaborative process would work. Each class sent their video and their painted backgrounds by mail to the other class.

When the Japanese artwork arrived, the American students used mixed media to create foregrounds and complete the pictures. In Japan, fifth grade students completed the pictures they received from America. Everything from eggshells to yarn, cut paper, folded origami, and even small twigs were used to finish the images. The materials lent themselves to self-expression and cultural expression as well.

The translator helped the art teacher share the Japanese culture with the students during the project. The American students learned to speak several words in Japanese, acted out Japanese customs such as bowing and rising when teachers entered, and listened to stories about Japanese life. Several of the American students participating in the project are Japanese and had visited Japan. The group discovered that this diversity of population is not common in Japan. The group also discovered that the Japanese students and their families viewed this project with more symbolism than the Americans. The Japanese said they saw the art as taking the trip they will never take, and that the artwork will bring back many memories to them and will be a life treasure for their families. This knowledge impacted and enlightened all aspects of the activities.

The final activity was a critique of the artwork received from Japan. The class compared and contrasted the two groups of work before sending the original Japanese artwork back to Japan. The students were deeply involved in this process and discussion. Afterwards, parents were invited in for a display of the artwork and to share in some snacks as well. During this reception, certificates were handed out to each student, and the school principal and vice principal visited and congratulated the students.

Technology made this project possible. Without it the teacher never would have been able to communicate across the world to share art, education, and culture with another country. Through the class video, the students and school administration were able to communicate good feelings, interest in the project, and an understanding of the collaboration.

Universal Design/Inclusion
There were thirty-nine students involved with this project. Each showed an interest in art, and there was a wide range of student abilities. This project, which is a collaborative effort, beckons for student inclusion more than any other project. There is no failure, only success. This collaborative art project is called "Reciprocating Art" because it creates genuine communities of students or people. All are welcome and all can participate together successfully because the project is a journey of shared good will, creative education, and total inclusion. The beauty of this journey, because of the collaboration, is that the destination is unknown. This creates great variety in the work and allows everyone to participate successfully.

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