Biography
Biography: I am an artist/art educator who engaging art education, art, technology as integrated processes and approaches to expand art educational technology practice. I joined UF in 2006 and in 2010 developed and initiated the online MA in Art Education, and the undergraduate Art Education Certificate in 2019. My research has been published in journals and chapters in Art Education Journal, Visual Art Research,Ubiquitous Learning: An International Journal, and chapters in Digital Visual Culture: Interactions and Intersections in the 21st Century (Sweeny, 2011), Exploring Digital Technologies for Art-Based Special Education: Models and Methods for the Inclusive K-12 Classroom (Garner, 2019), and Explorations for Decolonizing the Curriculum Regarding Technology. (Alexander & Sharma, 2023). In 2019 I was a University of Florida Anderson Scholar Faculty Honoree and was afficliate facutiry in the Center for Arts and Medicine during my tenure at UF. From 1985 to 1991, Michelle assisted with the implementation of Virginia’s first Governor\’s School for the Arts, a regional program for artistically talented high school students where she served as Chair of the Visual Arts Department.
Research Interests: My research actively investigates the intersection of technology and contemporary learning in the arts. I focus on how immersive media transforms teaching and learning by enhancing connectivity, networking, and the flow of dynamic information. This evolution marks a pivotal shift in our consumption and production of knowledge, challenging traditional paradigms and pushing beyond the boundaries of nature and technology. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into our everyday lives, it reshapes our perceptions and experiences of the natural world, necessitating innovative teaching methodologies.
My recent work examines how the integration of AI technology impacts human cognition and physical experiences, calling for a fundamental rethinking of educational approaches. AI has the potential to personalize learning experiences, enhance cognitive load management, and even influence the development of critical thinking skills. But is also can affect critical cognitive capabilities including decision-making, critical thinking, and analytical reasoning all critical for creative artists. I am committed to critically understanding and exploring how we can adapt our teaching methods to effectively engage with this new paradigm, where AI operates seamlessly across diverse systems, including microbial, synthetic, and carbon-based. Through my research, I aim to create frameworks that empower educators and learners to navigate and thrive within this transformative landscape.
Current Projects
Wolf, J., Tillander, M., Peper, K., Phillips Kastenholz, V., Lantow, V., Classe, C., Jiang, Y., & Colon, E. (2024). "Visual thinking strategies" improves radiographic observational skills but not chart interpretation in third and fourth year veterinary students. Frontiers in veterinary science, 11, 1480301. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1480301
Tillander, M. (July 30, 2023) Explorations for Decolonizing the Curriculum Regarding Technology. In M. Sharma and A. Alexander (Eds.). The Routledge Companion to Decolonizing Art, Craft, and Visual Culture Education. (p. 180-187).
Tillander, M. (2023). Summary Section V: An Assessment: Art-integrated Instruction and Collaborative Learning. In C. Smillan and R. Siegmund (Eds.). Authentic Secondary Art Assessment: Snapshots from Art Teacher Practice, (p. 236-243). Taylor and Francis.
Tillander, M. (2023). Running the numbers: Rich and dense everydayness stories with data (working title). In Jason DeHart (Ed.) Arts-based/alternative Approaches to Data Analysis in Education. Routledge.
Tillander, M. (in progress). Ecological care, compassion, and empathy: Art, environment and social justice making, unmaking or no making.
Tillander, M. (in progress).Contextualizing the Complexity of Large Language Models (LLMs) and What These Tools May Augur for Art Education
Tillander, M. (in progress).Current trends and Future Directions in Higher Education assessment in the era of AI.