Understanding & Increasing Visual Art Engagement
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
