Week 16: Reflection

1. Looking back at my first post, this was what I wrote my expectations of the course to be: In this course
"I expect to learn a lot about visual art, artistic techniques, artists and their works, and other things of this nature. I'm more of a musician (I've played the violin for 13 years now and am teaching myself to play piano), so this is definitely a different form of art than what I am used to, but I am still interested nonetheless in learning about the different ways people use art to express themselves."
I have to say that my expectations were met, I learned about everything I expected and more, including delving deep into the history of art and architecture and learning how and why different forms of art exist.


2. The first week when we posted in the discussion forum, I defined art like this: "Art can have many definitions. To me, art is anything a person does/creates that expresses themselves, their feelings/emotions, etc."
I have to say I still agree with my initial definition. I believe, and have been shown throughout this course, that there are many different types of art. Despite their differences, they all come back to representing an idea or thought or vision the artist had.

3. In my original posting I stated how I have a difficult time picking a "favorite" in anything but that I really admired Leonardo da Vinci. I have to say I was intrigued even further throughout my studies in this course. Learning about what a true Renaissance man he was and that not only was he an amazing artist, but an inventor, a scientist and many other things (and did spectacularly in all these fields) just made me want to look further into this artist.

4. I said that I had taken online courses before and that they could be very demanding. I have to say I agree even moreso taking not only this course but two other online courses this semester along with three classes on campus. I feel like this course had quite a few demands (watching several lengthy 40+ minute videos for a blog review on top of answering questions for chapters, responding to peers feedback and usually a project or quiz thrown in there too). I have to say I spent more time in this course and one of my other online courses more than I have ever spent on a course before (and that is including in-class time plus homework/studying). The load was very demanding and I felt overwhelmed at times. Nonetheless, I still like online courses because they are convenient and give me a more open schedule for work.