Rhythm of Life: Digital Technologies in Primary Arts Education

Andrew Swainston,
A collaboration between university, primary school and local community.


In 2006 three education lecturers in drama, music and visual arts from the University of Melbourne, in the subject ‘Integrated Arts’ (primary generalist teacher education), undertook a partnership with a local primary school. Over fifty university students collaborated with years 3 and 4 primary students and their teachers over a five week period to develop an arts festival based loosely around the theme of ‘Rhythm of Life’. A major part of this program involved the use of digital and multimedia technology to compose and create works of art for the festival: including music, visual art, digital comics, videos and photographs.