John Dewey, an American philosopher, and perhaps the most influential educator of the 20th century, once wrote, " Since growth is the characteristic of life, education is all one with growing; it has no end beyond itself. The criterion of the value of school education is the extent in which it creates a desire for continued growth and supplies means for making the desire effective in fact." (Democracy and Education)
I believe the goal of education is essentially a process of creating lifelong learners through developing within the student a continued desire to learn. This means that individuals engage themselves in the role of an active learner through their own intrinsic motivation, to expand and grow, making the most for himself, his surroundings, and circumstances. Where can we begin?
It is on the grounds of developing a student's Receptivity that the educational process begins. This is accomplished within a few basic principles: Awakening student interest, Teaching by example, and Presenting profound content within the discipline.
Awakening
student interest
During my early field experience I discovered through interviewing that Art was the favorite class among many students. Students said it was "engaging," but they weren't clear as to the purpose of taking Art in school.
I understand why the students were engaged. Creating art is so enjoying to life because it is the expression of one's self, the expression of life. The student as an artist puts his heart, mind, and feelings into his creation and this is enjoyable because he is expressing his self, his love and his happiness. In his engagement, the student stands as a creator, however so small. As creator and being an embodiment of creation himself, on some level then he is telling through his art, from his heart, the story of creation.
On the other hand, without a purpose, without an aim for achievement and fulfillment, there is no receptivity. It is good to always bring out the value of what the students are learning. What is the purpose of this? Why is this useful and interesting? By knowing this we awaken student interest.
I believe its good to begin class with a question, something that relates the topic being taught to something in the students' lives. For example, I might explain to students how music videos involve a great array of artists: musicians, choreographers, set and clothing designers, graphic artists, light crews, photographers and film artists, and the computer people who put it all together. Do these artists whether it be in the clothes, sets, lights, etc. create a mood or project a feeling within a video? How can you create a composition that will portray a particular mood?
Whereas Dewey emphasized the idea of 'Reflective Thought' where students connect and evaluate new knowledge in light of their own existing understanding, I would like to develop my teaching style around lessons that use Problem-based learning. This approach is student-centered, intrinsically motivated, and it allows the students to develop self-directed learning through investigating and experimenting in a variety of art media. Answers vary and students' creativity is enhanced.
Teaching by example
As teachers we hold many roles, but mainly, we are models for the students. They are influenced by whom we are. The standards we set, they follow. Our attitude should always be uplifting and nourishing to the student while we guide them toward knowledge, action, achievement, and fulfillment.
I was fortunate enough to have a cooperating teacher, Mr. Evans, who greeted each student with a handshake and a smile as they entered his classroom. If he missed a student, the student would come and say "Mr. Evans you forgot to shake my hand." Then with a bigger smile, and firmer handshake, Mr. Evans replied, "Well I'm sorry. How are you doing today?"
Just this simple expression of love and a smile toward the students encouraged them at the very start. This is how to enliven receptivity. We should always project calm steadiness. Never judge a student on the basis of his negativity.
I had one student during my student teaching that worked quietly, but with a poor attitude. As with many students I would make suggestions as to how to make technical improvements in her work, but in each instance I received nothing more than shrugged shoulders and a huff. In asking my cooperating teacher I discovered her home life was not ideal. So I began altering my approach to her by deciding that more important than improving in a technical skill that she'll probably never use out of this class, I began to make less suggestions and focus more on her happiness in class. It worked great. I continually complimented her work without being attached to the product. 'Enjoy and accomplish more'. Once she realized I was less concerned with the end product and more on her personal development, she began to smile at me and actually bring her work to show me how proud of it she was.
As an Art Teacher it is very important that I remain positive and never do anything to damage the fine feelings of my students. I'm not so concerned about teaching technical skills as with many Art Teachers, but more with cultivating a continued desire for learning by developing the student and the process of creating.
Art work by Abigail Armstrong 6th grade
Presenting
profound content
'What we see we become.' It is very important that in developing receptivity we present content in our discipline that is profound, enriching, and uplifting. This doesn't mean we don't teach students about the wars and hardships of man, but we do it in a way that emphasizes higher values for the students to follow. They are exposed each day to negativity and violence. Why focus on it in the classrooms?
For example, instead of telling students how Vincent Vangogh cut off his ear in rage through an argument with a friend and how he lived in an asylum, I would explain how Vangogh was one of the most famous artists. He had an awesome way of seeing color and an amazing ability to capture what he saw quickly with great texture and excitement.
Students are looking for heroes. We see this in the movies, 'Spiderman', 'Star Wars', and 'Men in Black'. Give students heroes within each discipline in school. In presenting profound knowledge, introduce students to the great people in that field. Seeing that there is a living embodiment of the highest qualities of man, the student might become convinced that he too could rise to that level of greatness in his own life.
I believe the goal of education is essentially a process of creating lifelong learners through developing within the student a continued desire to learn. This is achieved by starting with the development of the students' receptivity; awakening student interest, teaching by example, and presenting profound content. This is the beginning to fostering a continued desire for growth in and outside the classroom.