Oodles of Art
Philosophy of Art Education
Art is the universal language of mankind. Through the visual arts, we can begin to uncover and comprehend how a group’s or an individual’s ideals, emotions, and customs shape their outlook on life. As humans, we have an innate need to express ourselves. It is for this reason, that it is so important for students to receive instruction in the field of the Visual Arts. As an academic subject, the Visual Arts helps students to acknowledge the deep connection that exists between art and humanity and how their own aesthetic creations set them apart as unique individuals.
In order for a visual Arts program to be comprehensive, an art teacher needs to plan, devise, and develop units of study or lessons that entail one or a combination of the following framework learning strands: art methods and materials, elements and principles of design, invention and expression, exhibition, and evaluation. Each lesson should improve the students’ artistic abilities, stimulate creative expression, and increase their content of knowledge in the arts. Personally, I found the most efficient ways to meet these goals are through various teaching strategies such as tiered instruction, scaffolding, and cooperative learning. Integrating technology or other media resources into the curriculum is another way to introduce and reinforce the content of the curriculum. Generally, power points, web quests, and prints of works of art can motivate students to be creative and develop a sense of appreciation for the artist’s work.
Assessment and evaluation are other significant components of an art lesson or unit of study. Since art is perceived as such a subjective subject, rubrics are the most objective way to assess and evaluate students’ work. A well-constructed rubric reveals to a teacher whether the objectives of a lesson were communicated clearly, were developmentally appropriate, and whether the method of instruction was effective. However, rubrics are just not beneficial for teachers, but for students too. From rubrics, students can receive conducive feedback and recognize areas where they may be struggling.
Most importantly, effective classroom management is necessary if learning and high levels of achievement are expected to occur. Early in the school year, rules, routines, and expectations need to be clearly communicated to maintain a safe and intellectual learning environment in which students feel academically and and personally supported. It is also especially important for the teacher to incorporate smooth transitions between activities and to have a variety of learning activities on hand for students whom tend to complete their work ahead of schedule. Such classroom management strategies discourage misbehavior that could disrupt the teacher’s lesson or the productivity of the students. However, when disruptive behavior does occur in the art room, a teacher needs to be well prepared with a plan of action that is swift, fair, and upholds the integrity of the students.
Overall, Art is a subject that encourages self-confidence. Furthermore, it is a subject which encourages students to problem solve, express themselves, and use facets of their imagination. Students grow cognitively and emotionally from the projects they create and from the content they learn about in Art. These are just a few of the reasons why I feel the subject I teach is so valuable. Most Importantly, it is the key to providing students with a well rounded education that will continue to help them thrive and prosper in the 21st Century.