Chapter 3
Art - Teaching & Assessment
Art education in the contemporary classroom
• Instruction
o Forms the basis of any art lesson.
o New skills, techniques, processes are carefully introduced.
o Some of the things learners need to be instructed are:
▪ studio techniques
▪ using materials & media
▪ analysing artworks
▪ using reference material
▪ health & safety procedures
• Demonstration & guided exploration
o Learners learn skills, techniques & processes best when they are shown.
o Demonstrations are appropriate for:
▪ specialist skills & techniques.
▪ cutting & sewing fabrics.
▪ cleaning equipment & tools.
▪ mounting & framing of works.
▪ using design elements & principles.
• Experimentation
o Art needs to be experienced for learning to occur.
o Learners should be allowed to experiment in appropriate ways.
o Learners should investigate material, test techniques, solve problems, make
decisions.
o Encourages learners to work together & communicate.
o Enhances learner motivation.
• Commentary
o Conduct analysis of own portfolios in front of audience.
o Comment on & discuss their own work.
o Encourage language skills.
o Develop competence & confidence to talk meaningfully about their work.
• Lectures & internet presentations
o Learners are provided w/ necessary info about other people’s works of art.
o Learners should be encouraged to ask questions.
o Valuable to invite guest speakers into the arts classroom.
• Research
o Giving research projects will allow learners to investigate areas of study more fully.
o Designed to increase previous knowledge & others to introduce new themes.
o Various resources should be used for research, e.g. museums.
• Art criticism
o Provided w/ opportunities to analyse & respond to art.
, o Should gain sound knowledge of history of art.
o Need to develop ability to make own judgements.
• Mentoring
o Learners who have mastered techniques can guide others.
o Will save time.
o Prevent those who need extra help from losing interest.
• Excursions
o Trips allow learners to see & learn about work of professional artists.
o Seeing art first-hand makes it meaningful.
o Motivation for practical art-making act.
• Brainstorming
o Help learners initiate diverse ways to solve problems.
o Spontaneously share ideas w/o making judgement.
o Great way to introduce topic.
o During which teachers give direction for learning.
o Stimulates diverse thinking.
• Conferencing
o Between teacher & learner.
o Requires inviting, supportive & trusting atmosphere.
o Learners can:
▪ report on their progress.
▪ consider problems & solutions.
▪ note strengths.
▪ note areas for improvement.
• Cooperative learning
o Teaches learners how to work together as a team.
o Each member should contribute to the final product.
• Discussion
o Collaborative approach through which learners:
▪ explore thinking.
▪ respond to ideas.
▪ process info.
▪ express thoughts in communicating to peers.
• Exploration
o Focused exploration:
▪ learners can choose to use materials & equipment that are available.
▪ through observing teacher can provide assistance.
o Free exploration:
▪ choose to use materials provided.
▪ no assistance is given.
• Guided act.
o Introduced by teacher, based on assessments.
o To guide act further, teacher can:
▪ ask questions to guide learners’ thoughts.
▪ provide stimuli to extend thinking.
▪ ask learners to demonstrate familiar concept in new way.
▪ encourage learners to try new act.
Art - Teaching & Assessment
Art education in the contemporary classroom
• Instruction
o Forms the basis of any art lesson.
o New skills, techniques, processes are carefully introduced.
o Some of the things learners need to be instructed are:
▪ studio techniques
▪ using materials & media
▪ analysing artworks
▪ using reference material
▪ health & safety procedures
• Demonstration & guided exploration
o Learners learn skills, techniques & processes best when they are shown.
o Demonstrations are appropriate for:
▪ specialist skills & techniques.
▪ cutting & sewing fabrics.
▪ cleaning equipment & tools.
▪ mounting & framing of works.
▪ using design elements & principles.
• Experimentation
o Art needs to be experienced for learning to occur.
o Learners should be allowed to experiment in appropriate ways.
o Learners should investigate material, test techniques, solve problems, make
decisions.
o Encourages learners to work together & communicate.
o Enhances learner motivation.
• Commentary
o Conduct analysis of own portfolios in front of audience.
o Comment on & discuss their own work.
o Encourage language skills.
o Develop competence & confidence to talk meaningfully about their work.
• Lectures & internet presentations
o Learners are provided w/ necessary info about other people’s works of art.
o Learners should be encouraged to ask questions.
o Valuable to invite guest speakers into the arts classroom.
• Research
o Giving research projects will allow learners to investigate areas of study more fully.
o Designed to increase previous knowledge & others to introduce new themes.
o Various resources should be used for research, e.g. museums.
• Art criticism
o Provided w/ opportunities to analyse & respond to art.
, o Should gain sound knowledge of history of art.
o Need to develop ability to make own judgements.
• Mentoring
o Learners who have mastered techniques can guide others.
o Will save time.
o Prevent those who need extra help from losing interest.
• Excursions
o Trips allow learners to see & learn about work of professional artists.
o Seeing art first-hand makes it meaningful.
o Motivation for practical art-making act.
• Brainstorming
o Help learners initiate diverse ways to solve problems.
o Spontaneously share ideas w/o making judgement.
o Great way to introduce topic.
o During which teachers give direction for learning.
o Stimulates diverse thinking.
• Conferencing
o Between teacher & learner.
o Requires inviting, supportive & trusting atmosphere.
o Learners can:
▪ report on their progress.
▪ consider problems & solutions.
▪ note strengths.
▪ note areas for improvement.
• Cooperative learning
o Teaches learners how to work together as a team.
o Each member should contribute to the final product.
• Discussion
o Collaborative approach through which learners:
▪ explore thinking.
▪ respond to ideas.
▪ process info.
▪ express thoughts in communicating to peers.
• Exploration
o Focused exploration:
▪ learners can choose to use materials & equipment that are available.
▪ through observing teacher can provide assistance.
o Free exploration:
▪ choose to use materials provided.
▪ no assistance is given.
• Guided act.
o Introduced by teacher, based on assessments.
o To guide act further, teacher can:
▪ ask questions to guide learners’ thoughts.
▪ provide stimuli to extend thinking.
▪ ask learners to demonstrate familiar concept in new way.
▪ encourage learners to try new act.
