This is for the independent learning project (thesis) for my Masters. I have already designed a curriculum and guide to aid teachers in implementing an art and technology course for incarcerated students, but I need help with the literature review This is about education, but it might be helpful if the person knew a little something about technology as well. References to educational theories (Constructivism, etc. ) are welcome. The Journal for Correctional Education is an excellent resource, but citations can come from anywhere. This is basically what my project is about: Crime is one of the most prevalent problems in our community, particularly among the African American and Latino population, who New York City comprise most of the prison population. Parallels have been drawn between graduation rates and crime levels. Engaging and educating these young men and women is a benefit to society as a whole. I based my curriculum and findings on my experience as an art and technology teacher on Riker’s Island in East Elmhurst, NY. Riker’s Island is the largest jain on the East Coast. My students are between 16 and 19 years old, and are awaiting trial. Their charges range from “petty” crimes such as shoplifting to felony murder. Most of these students have a large history of truancy, and many haven’t been to school since 7th grade. Less than 20 percent of them read on or above grade level. More than half read on a fifth grade level or below. The main goal and Holy Grail of all these students is to receive their GED,(General Equivalency Diploma). The amount of students that go on to receive a HS diploma is minimal. Because of this, there is a premium placed on literacy in the curriculum. The current edict from administration is that ALL classes are to be literacy classes. A low value is placed on art classes and not enough is placed on technology and technological literacy. Art for Art’s sake is strongly discouraged. I propose that both art and technology have a necessary place in the curriculum for all students, and particularly for students in a correctional setting. Both can be used to enhance literacy and other subjects across the curriculum. Arts programs and technology programs are good for students, and that is one of the main points I would like to illustrate in the literature review. Student engagement. This is one of the BIGGEST problems with this population. These students did not go to school voluntarily when they were on the outside, school is mandatory in the NYC department of corrections for this age group. It’s not uncommon in a class of 15 students to see 8 or 9 of them sleeping on their desks, & amp; a teacher engaging two three of the only students that are paying attention, however, students will get actively engaged in art class, and in most tasks that involve using computers. My curriculum combines both. In a correctional environment many of the tools used in art creation are prison contraband. I.E.: Clay and glue cannot be used (inmates can use them to jam locks) This presents a huge problem in the world of an art teacher. Combining art with technology is the answer to many of these problems, since all the work is done on a computer monitor. This also helps economically since Art supplies are expensive, and a resource that has to constantly renewed. Once the initial purchase of computers and software is made, there is very little additional expense involved. Educated inmates have a lower rate of recidivism (returning to jail). With the technology and vocational skills this curriculum teaches, they have a better chance of being employable upon release. Technological literacy is necessary to be competitive in a 21st century economy. 95% of my students have computers at home, and most of them only utilize them to download music, surf the web or participate in social networking sites, such as MySpace. Graphic design software, digital illustration software, image manipulation software, Animation and 3-D animation video editing, music production and even word processing software are all used in my curriculum to harness the creative energy of these adolescents. CHAPTER ONE Introduction (4 pages) What I stated above, written more formally Problem Statement - (1 page) The problem I want to solve, & amp; practice I want to influence Rationale (1 page) why I wrote this curriculum, and who will benefit Anticipated Outcomes (4 pages) the outcome of its implementation CHAPTER TWO Literature Review (15 pages) - Background literature about the project from relevant academic literature about art and technology in the classroom, and correctional education in general. - Various themes from academic literature with a subheading for each theme, a discussion about what various authors said about each theme. - A conclusion with a summary of what is known and unknown.