Matthew Purdon - Teaching

	Teaching

		Teaching Philosophy
		I view the teaching of art as an encounter between people. Conventionally initiated for the conveyance of information, good teaching begins by introducing the student to the skills, customs, and history of a craft. Individuality emerges by nurturing the student's ability to question those same traditions as they intellectually position their work. The encounter deepens according to the quality of the bond between student and teacher, the student's capacity for curiosity, and the teacher's openness to it. At the deepest levels of the encounter, there is a transmission of direct presence, from one being to another. That exchange is a creative act. My teaching is a performance to create space within the classroom and the curriculum. The openness of my body enables me to have patience and compassion for each student's personal struggles and triumphs. A space of mutual respect in the classroom allows for a community to engage in honest dialogue during which every voice is also a deep listener. Space for individual inquiry within the curriculum is fostered through multiple modalities of participatory learning that balances lectures, demonstrations, exercises, discussions and one-to-one interaction with each student. The educational environment is a transitory container for transformation. Each class begins with the possibility that change might occur for the students and myself. Our journey through the curriculum creates an intimate community to support self-discovery. When it is time for the class to end, we must let go. That letting go is both the teacher and the teaching. For in the words of the great poet and teacher Robert Frost, "I am not a teacher, but an awakener."


		Examples of Student Work
		Graduate Thesis Students The Organic City Online Student Portfolios I advised the following students on the design, presentation and implementation of these portfolio websites. Most of these students also took my classes in digital imaging, web design and/or senior project. Nicholas Arias Jenny Arnold Whitney Chavis Mandy Chiang Irma Contreras David Figueroa Evon Freeman Melissa Herman Katy Kahn Brian Luk Vincent Yu


		Sample Syllabi
		Art & Technology (Word, 92K) - Full Syllabus for Quarter-based Lecture Class taken by Sophmores in Electronic Art at CSU East Bay Art for the Web - Web Syllabus for Quarter-based studio class take by Juniors in Electronic Art at CSU East Bay Flash I (Word, 56K) - 2-day skill-based workshop at Bay Area Video Coalition


		Places & Classes
		California State University - East Bay - Electronic Arts: Multimedia Graduate Department Graduate thesis advisor for students working on community-based web projects that involve blogging, GPS, storytelling and collaboration. Organize presentation by contemporary media artists for graduate students. Presenters include Ned Kahn, Caveh Zehdi, Kal Spelletech, Andrew Kleindolph & Grant Davis as well as representatives from Electronic Arts, ILM and Pixar. Art Department - Lecturer in Electronic Arts Teach introductory and advanced courses for undergraduate students in Electronic Arts, advise students on BFA projects and participate in critiques for traditional art students. Co-curated digital media portion of major exhibitions on Shamanism and Zen Art. Classes taught: 2025: Basics of Electronic Arts: intro to 2-D Art Fundamentals using Photoshop & Illustrator 3400: Art & Technology: lecture class about the interface between language, art, cutlure & technology 3400: Art for the Web: principles of web design using HTML, CSS, Javascript, DreamWeaver & Fireworks 3880: Advanced Art for the Web: Teach interactive authoring skills in Flash to create dynamic web projects 4220: Multimedia Senior Project: independantl or collaborative interactive projects including animation, games, music videos, non-linear narratives and installations. 4740: Professional Practices: Historical and contemporary issues in electronic art. Students investigate venues for electronic artists and contexts for their own work as designers and artists. Students prepare online and print portfolios. Bay Area Video Coalition Instructor Teach DreamWeaver & Flash at prominent Bay Area community educational center. San Francisco State University - Multimedia Studies Instructor Teach HTML, Dreamweaver and Javascript for their certificate program. OpNet Instructor Teach Project Management & Web Design to low-income students at non-profit center. College of Alameda at Eastmont Computing Center Instructor Teach HTML, DreamWeaver & Flash for Eastmont Computing Center for back to work program. College of San Mateo Instructor Teach Web Design Portfolio course with emphasis on UI design. City College Continuing Education Instructor Teach evening and weekend classes in HTML, Photoshop, and Web Site Design.


		Other Resources
		Recommended Reading: This is a list of books that I recommend for learning Web skills. Web Design Resources: This is a list of Websites where you can find articles, references, tutorials, examples, free stuff, etc. to help you build your Web site.