In Instructional Programs you will find many of the "best" learning units developed by teachers in collaboration with PDL's Virtual Resident Artists. Some learning units may require just one instructional period; others could be extended over weeks. You will find many to be innovative, fun, and exciting to use. Take advantage of these free resources in developing compelling, integrated arts and academic lessons and curriculum. An easy-to-use "keyword" search will help direct you to a general area of interest. Use the "Advanced Search" feature for a more targeted search. Also, the PDL (under its Quick Teach weekly flash service) will highlight and recommend programming in this area. So remember, as a member school, you can register for Quick Teach postings.

Under Arts Educational Resources there are nearly 300 of some of the best (free) art related sites on the Web. We encourage educators and artists to recommend these sites for our members. Some sites have excellent databases; others offer images, sounds, music, and photographs that you can incorporate into lessons. Many are excellent to recommend to students to use at home with their family for informal learning (always fully review any site you recommend to students). Some feature fairly well defined learning activities. An easy-to-use "keyword" search will help direct you to a general resource area. Use the "Advanced Search" feature for a more targeted search. Also, the PDL (Web Watch weekly flash service) will highlight and recommend some of these sites. As a member school, you can register for Web Watch weekly alerts.

The PDL is proud of the caliber of artists that have agreed to work with our teachers as Virtual Resident Artists. A listing of our artists, their biography, examples of their art, and indications of how they might be able to work with you and your students can be found under this section. Each artist can be contacted to discuss ways in which they can collaborate with you. Some of the exciting programs they developed with teachers are listed under "Instructional Programs." The cost will vary on length of engagement and the type of service requested, but in nearly all cases, the cost is less than $50. Each semester we will send to our schools (PDL Key Contacts) examples of projects, cost, and time involved with specific services that can be provided by our Virtual Resident Artists.

The Communication Center is where you will find the forums to collaborate with Virtual Resident Artists, share ideas with peers, engage your students in an (controlled and teacher managed) exchange with artists or their peers. Each member school received a master log-in access code. You need to enter that code to generate your personal Username and Password. The PDL does offer professional development training (typically at no cost) for teachers directed at helping educators understand how to fully use PDL web communication forums and to allow teachers to manage student participation in forums in engaging with external professionals.