WikiArt – Encyclopedia of Fine Art

WikiArt provides users with access to one of the largest collections of fine art available digitally. From the menu on the left side of the screen, users can tap one several options that include a Featured, Artist, Map, and Search option among others. The “Featured” button lets users view well-known artists. The “Artist” features allows users to browse artists alphabetically, by era, century, and more. The “Map” button shows users where artists lived, and the “Search” option lets users find artists and artwork by name. With all the features, users can tap on an artist to view their artwork and see their birth and death dates. Plus, WikiArt links to the Wikipedia article about the artist, and users can tap the “Heart” button to favorite artists and different pieces of art. When users find a piece of artwork they wish to share, they can tap the “Upload” button to share it over social media or save the image.

Instructional Ideas

1. After learning about an artist, teachers can have students view the artist’s works using this app. Teachers can then have student identify any themes they found in the artwork. Students can use an Office app to write a short explanation about what the theme means to them. Students can then email their teacher their explanation or they can post it to a class website.
2. Teachers can use this app to create a class debate. To do so, teachers can divide the class into small groups, and they can let each group select a piece of art that they think is the best one included in this app. (If two groups pick the same piece, teachers can settle the situation by using a “first-come, first-served” basis.) Next, teachers can allow students time to make arguments why the piece of art they picked is the best. When ready to begin the debate, teachers can have one group make a statement that explains why their piece of art is the best. The next group can then choose to either: (1) make a rebuttal to the point, or (2) offer one reason why think their piece of art is the best. Teachers can continue this cycle so each group has the chance to make 3, 5, 7, or more comments. When finished, teachers can allow each student to vote for their favorite piece of art, and students are not allowed to vote for the piece of art their group selected. Additionally, teachers can have students use an office app to write a short justification that explains why they chose the piece of art they did.
3. Teachers can have each student in a class to select an artist to present to their class. Teachers can then allow students to incorporate the contents and pieces of art in this app into their presentation. Following the presentation, the students who viewed it can then write 3-5 facts they learned about the artist from the presentation.
4. Teachers can select an artist from this app and, with their class, view the artist’s works that are included in this app. Next, teachers can have students write a top-five list of artworks produce by this artist, and teachers can require students provide commentary that justifies their rankings.
5. Teachers can have students select an artist in this app and then read his/her accompanying Wikipedia article that is linked to the entry. Students can then summarize the article or explain the article’s most important points. Students can present their summaries by creating a slide using the PowerPoint, Slide Idea, or Prezi app. Slides can be shared by teachers having students post them to a class website.

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