Eric Rodrigues' Portfolio Page
Mini Course Links:
Portfolio Page: Current Page
Mini course Homepage: Understanding & Increasing Visual Art Engagement
Module 1: What is art education and why is it important?
Module 2: Building Trust & Confidence
Module 3: Incorporating Art Across the Curriculum
About Me
My name is Eric Rodrigues and I am in my final semester of Suny Albany's CDIT program. Previously, I graduated from Long Island University with my BFA in art education. I have experience with teaching both middle and elementary school and this year I am transitioning from teaching middle school back to elementary again.
I am a practicing artist, who specializes in experimental printmaking. Historically, printmaking can contain very toxic process', but I have worked to use safer methods with cleaner effects for the environment and for the human body. Additionally, I work with pen and marker. I try to use materials I cannot erase as a way to force myself to incorporate my mistakes into the final design.
I am going on my third year of teaching and I'm excited to see what the year brings.
My Topic and Purpose
Oftentimes, I see art education being "cut" from school budgets. There are assumptions and stigmas that surround the art field suggesting that it is not as relevant as other areas of thought. When art is cut easily from budgets it sends the message that it is not important and does not have a place in the school system.
My topic is "Understanding and Increasing Visual Art Engagement". My mini course will cover the following:
Section 1: What is art education and why is it important?
Section 2: Building Trust & Confidence
Section 3: Incorporating Art Across the Curriculum
Scope of Learning Outcomes and Content:
Section 1: What is art education and why is it important?
We will..
- explore research behind art education and the benefits linked to a strong art education experience
- challenge and reflect on our past art education experiences
- explore how art education affects learners socially, emotionally, and creatively
Section 2: Building Trust & Confidence
We will learn...
- how to incorporate growth mindset theory into art education
- how feedback affects students
Section 3: Incorporating Art Across the Curriculum
We will...
- brainstorm ways to incorporate art into your own classroom
- discuss direct observations with a partner in order to practice seeing
- be introduced to the "I, thou, it" framework
This course will utilize the New York State Learning Standards for the Arts. The standards can be found here.
To break down these standards for non-art educators, the arts have 11 state standards for each grade level. The 11 state standards are split up into four sections: creating, presenting, responding, and connecting. It is only necessary to have one standard from each of the four sections in a lesson plan, but you may use more than 4 if you find it fitting. The standards control the objectives for the grade level of the student. For example, kindergarteners may need to engage in collaborative play and exploration with materials (A:Cr1.1.K), while an 8th grader will need to “Document and reflect on early stages of the creative process, visually and/or verbally in traditional or new media” (VA:Cr1.1.8). The level of difficulty increases towards higher order thinking as you progress towards higher grade levels.
The learner objectives will vary based on what you teach and the grade level. I aim to provide multiple examples throughout the course to clearly explain the application of appropriate art standards in your classroom.
Needs Assessment
Of 54 current teachers who responded in my district:
26 of these teachers are elementary teachers (k-5)
28 of these teachers are middle school teachers (6-8)
Importance of art in the classroom:
57.4% of participants rated that art was seen as very important in their classroom.
37% of participants rated that art was somewhat important in their classroom.
5.6% of participants rated art as holding little importance in their classroom.
Importance of art in the teacher’s personal life:
13% - No importance
13% - little importance
22.2% somewhat important
22.2%- oftentimes important
29.6% - Very important
Frequency of art in the classroom:
24% of teachers reported using art in their classroom nearly everyday (4-5 days a week)
33% of teachers reported using art in their classroom 2-3 times a week
43% of teachers reported using art very rarely in their classroom (1 or less times a week)
Art Engagement:
78% of teachers agreed that art was very engaging for their students
18% of teachers believed that art was somewhat engaging for their students
4% of teachers in this study reported that art did not engage their students that effectively.
Additional Comment section/General Connections:
- There are many concerns over the time required to collaborate and incorporate art in their lessons.
- It is interesting to see that even though art sometimes holds little importance in a teacher’s personal life, the teacher’s voted that their students are still engaged by art.
- 56% of teachers have not collaborated with an art teacher in their school, but 89% said they would be open to working with them in the future.
- Elementary teachers used art more often in their instruction
What is:
The current situation is that teachers believe that incorporating art in their classroom may not be practical due to time restraints, but most agree that art engages their students.
What should be:
Art should be used in multiple subject areas to promote student engagement and better working memory in a practical and time efficient manner.
Analysis of the Learner and Context
The intended audience of this course is both art teachers and general education teachers. Many of the topics/themes can be used across the curriculum such as growth mindset theory, constructive feedback and self reflection. In order to take this course, you must have access to a computer, writing utensils and a blank sheet of paper.
This course will have you complete some art activities in a way for you to reflect on your personal learning process. The outcomes of the activities matter less than the process, so no artistic ability of any kind is needed. This is a self-paced online class, so feel free to visit the sections over a period of time or all at once.
Performance-Based Objectives
Upon Completion of this course participants will be able to:
- Explain the benefits of art education
- Apply and provide growth mindset feedback to student art
- Provide appropriate feedback and reflection tools for students artwork
- Identify ways to incorporate art into multiple subject areas
Task Analysis
Prerequisites:
The only prerequisites required of this course is to have an open attitude towards the arts and a willingness to challenge your past experiences. The course will incorporate art activities, but artistic ability is not required. The process will be much more important than the outcomes. You will need a writing utensil, timer and paper for unit 2.
Terminal Goal:
The participant will be able to learn effective art education methods to engage students in a practical and time efficient manner through multiple subject areas.
Section 1: What is art education and why it is important?
- Reflect and challenge your past experiences
- Understand how culturally responsive teaching can aid students
- Reflection
Section 2: Building Trust & Confidence
- Drawing activity accompanied with a short reading
- Watch a video to better understand growth mindset and the "Power of Yet"
- Reflection
Section 3: Incorporating Art Across the Curriculum
- Brainstorm and self reflect on how to incorporate art in your classroom
- Be introduced to the I, thou, it framework
- Reflect with a partner an art piece, testing your observation skills
Curriculum Map
References and Resources:
Arts at-a-glance standards - new york state education department. (n.d.). Retrieved October 2, 2022, from http://www.nysed.gov/common/nysed/files/programs/curriculum-instruction/nys-visual-arts-at-a-glance-final-8-2-2017-high-res-v2.pdf
Arts education navigator - miarted.org. www.AmericansForTheArts.org/ArtsEducation. (2013). https://www.miarted.org/pdf/AFTA-Arts-Education-Navigator-Facts-Figures.pdf
Mini Course Sections:
Portfolio Page: Current Page
Mini Course Homepage: Understanding & Increasing Visual Art Engagement
Module 1: What is art education and why is it important?
Module 2: Building Trust & Confidence
Module 3: Incorporating Art Across the Curriculum