Carin Wu

How Computer Technology Influences Art and Designprograms: Opinions from 37 Professionals and Educators of 9universities and Colleges Carin Wu

This one-year qualitative research project exploredhow computer technology influences art and designprograms in higher education. It involved 37educators from 9 universities and colleges located inCalifornia, USA. It is discovered that with the ubiquitous applicationof computer technology, the current reality hasbecome one that is multicultural and pluralistic, dissolving the timeline of history and boundaries ofart forms. Moreover, computer technology has openedup new career opportunities and accelerated workprocesses. It has also induced new ways of creatingart and provided novel channels to distributeartworks. Today, interactivity and networking isfacile with or without physical presence. Educators involved in this research revealed thatcurricula adjustments and trends have includedemphasizing basic computer competency and traditionalskills simultaneously, encouraging experimentationand interactivity through new tools, fosteringinterdisciplinary education, engaging students in thedevelopment of new technology, underscoringhumanitarian issues, developing art and designleadership and a sense of accountability, andbuilding a complete cyber campus.