Understanding & Increasing Visual Art Engagement

From KNILT

Author: Eric Rodrigues


Hello and welcome to my mini course homepage!

Overview and Purpose

Oftentimes, art education is one of the first subjects being "cut" from school budgets when funds are running low. 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

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 in a practical and time efficient manner.

Performance 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 (English, Social Studies, Math & Science)
  • Learn why the arts is important outside of school settings

Overview of Each Module

Module 1: What is art education and why is it important?

We will explore...

  • possible biases we hold based on past experiences
  • the research behind art education and the benefits linked to a strong art education experience
  • how art education affects learners socially, emotionally & creatively.
  • how art education is linked to graduation rates and SAT scores

Module 2: Building Trust and Confidence

We will explore...

  • basic principals of growth mindset theory
  • how to provide appropriate feedback to students during art tasks
  • student self reflection as a group and individually

Module 3: Incorporating Art Across the Curriculum

We will explore...

  • why the arts are important in multiple subject areas
  • how to incorporate art into your own classroom
  • why the arts are important in the community
  • how to encourage the arts in the community

Module Links:

Author's Portfolio Page: Eric Rodrigues' Portfolio Page

Course Homepage: Current Page

Module 1: What is art education and why is it important?

Module 2: Building Trust & Confidence

Module 3: Incorporating Art Across the Curriculum