NGAkids Art Zone

NGAkids Art Zone allows users to view and then alter famous paintings. After launching the app, users are taken to a virtual museum lobby, where they can view different paintings by swiping sideways. When users find a painting of interest, they can double-tap it. By doing so, users will be shown an enlarged view of the painting and a menu of options. With the menu, users can modify the painting by adding and importing images to it, editing and resizing its content, changing its background, and animating it. They can also tap the “i” button to learn about the painting. Once satisfied, users can tap the “save” button on the top right, which adds the painting to the app’s gallery room and the iPad’s camera roll.

Instructional Ideas

1. Teachers can allow students to read the descriptions of the different paintings included in this app. Next, students can further learn about the painting by researching topics such as: (1) if the painting has ever been sold, (2) if the painting includes characteristics of a certain time period, (3) if the artist who created the painting painted other famous works, (4) how much the painting is worth, and (5) where the painting is housed. Students can report their findings in writing or by creating a presentation.
2. Students can choose their favorite painting in this app and write a journal that explains why they chose it as their favorite. Example journal prompts include: (1) What do you like about the painting? (2) How does the painting make you feel? (3) What message do you think the painting is trying to convey? Students can respond in writing using the UX Documents, Office Offline, or WPS Office app.
3. Students can edit and customize a painting in this app. Next, they can save it to their camera roll and upload it to a class website. Students can then view their classmates’ artwork and post responses. Ideas to include in responses are: (1) What did you like about the artwork? (2) How could the artwork be improved? (3) What does the artwork make you think of? (4) Is the altered painting  superior or inferior to the original?
4. Students can animate a painting using this app and title it. After all students are finished, they can set their iPads around the room with their animated painting open with its title on a sticky note and let their classmates view the different animations. Students can then vote for their favorite animation. To cast their vote, however, students will have to include the title of the paining and compose a short paragraph explaining why they voted for it.

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‎NGAkids Art Zone

Developer: National Gallery of Art, Washington

Price: Free