Transcript
How I Became a Better Teacher When I Stopped Teaching Art History© Dr. Melissa Hall 2009Westchester Community College
Doris Day in Teachers Pet (1958)Image source: http://www.dorisday.net/teacher_s_pet.html
Westchester Community College
Located about 45 minutes north of New York City
Affiliated with State University of New York
Open enrollment
Art History Curriculum
• Studio Art program designed for transfer
Art History Curriculum
• Art History Sequence: Ancient to Medieval Renaissance to Modern
Art History Curriculum
• Sabbatical Project: Art Since 1945
View of Marion Peak from Cartridge Pass, Sierra Nevada, California, 2009
Art History Curriculum
• Standard chronological overview of major artists and periods
Assessment
• Students study major monuments
Assessment
• Written exams evaluate student learning
Slide Identification Discussion of significant
features Compare/contrast
Image source: Arbitrary.Marks @ Flickr
The Challenge
• Many students are not adequately prepared for a college level art history course
Image source: K8Lynn2007 @ Flickr
The Challenge
• Weak writing skills pose an especially difficult problem
Image source: Mirza R @ Educationreport.org
The Challenge
• Written exams can’t accurately assess learning
Image source: Arbitrary.Marks @ FlickrImage source: Arbitrary.Marks @ Flickr
The Challenge
Statue of a Kouros (Youth)c. 590-580 BCEMetropolitan Museum
Ummm . . . the significant feature of this work is that
it expresses emotion and has
a lot of detail
Image source: Mark E. Wadley @ Flickr
The Challenge
Ummm . . . the significant feature of this work is that
it expresses emotion and has
a lot of detail
Image source: Mark E. Wadley @ Flickr
There is often a disconnect
between what students know and what they
write
Common Solutions
• Common response: focus on improved content delivery
Doris Day in Teachers Pet (1958)Image source: http://www.dorisday.net/teacher_s_pet.html
Goal:I will be a better teacher!
Doris Day in Teachers Pet (1958)Image source: http://www.dorisday.net/teacher_s_pet.html
Goal:Improve ContentDelivery
If they understand the material better,
they’ll be able to write better . . .
Common Solutions
• Standardized tests measure knowledge acquisition outside of writing ability
Common Solutions
• Written assignments isolate area in need of further development
Common Solutions
• Test scores improved but students still couldn’t write
Image source: UNTAMED+ @ FlickrImage source: HappilyKnit @ Flickr
Image source: UNTAMED+ @ Flickr
Ummm . . . the significant feature of this work is that
it expresses emotion and has
a lot of detail
• Plagiarism was rampant
Image source: http://www.restormel.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=24525&detailid=&articleaction=print
Cool, here’s
something on
Wikipedia
Common Solutions
• I issued the standard warnings
Doris Day in Teachers Pet (1958)Image source: http://www.dorisday.net/teacher_s_pet.html
How toAvoidplagiarism
Common Solutions
• Developed extensive guidelines
Common Solutions
• What the students heard . . . .
Image source: Sevenzeds Sketch blog Image source: Brian Germain bgstudios
Art History Lesson #1:
I can’t teach my students how to
write!
Art History Lesson #1:
I have too
much to cover!
Redefining Goals
• What if writing was the primary goal of the course?
Image source: http://www.faculty.londondeanery.ac.uk/e-learning/small-group-teaching/small-group-teaching-and-learning-in-context
“Constructive alignment means that what we ask students to do must relate to what we want them to learn”http://www.mq.edu.au/learningandteachingcentre/about_lt/curriculum_design.htm
Diagnosing the Problem
• Premise #1: Students can’t write
because they don’t know what they are supposed to write
Image source: yoshiffles @ Flickr
Diagnosing the Problem
• Punctuation, grammar, and writing style are secondary issues
Image source: http://www.writersroomprogram.org/for_parents.htm
Diagnosing the Problem
• My goal is to get students to the point where the Writing Center can take over
Image source: http://aeonianreview.org/Links.htm
Diagnosing the Problem
• Premise #2: Students plagiarize out of
desperation
Image source: http://hubpages.com
Diagnosing the Problem
• Student fear of writing must be taken seriously
Image source: Jonno Witts @ Flickr Image source: Emdot @ Flickr
Implementing the Plan
• First Step: Conquer fear of writing with
assignments that do not require writing
Image source: http://writing2.richmond.edu/training/fall97/ktich/intro.html
Implementing the Plan
• Break the essay down into manageable parts:
1. Description of subject matter
2. Formal analysis
3. Relation to social context
Image source: www.thinkandthrive.com
Implementing the Plan
• Assignments should be: Short, fun, easy to do Easy to grade
Image source: http://www.scld.org.uk/what-we-offer.xhtml
Web Quest
• Web Quest #1:
Visit selected websites
Choose a representative image
Analyze the work using arrows and labels
Web Quest
• Analyze an example of Ancient Near Eastern art using arrows and labels
Web Quest
• Write a brief paragraph describing the work
Web Quest
• Labels were good, but paragraphs often missed the point
Paragraph discusses function, and paraphrases museum information
Web Quest
• Feedback enabled me to reinforce understanding
Good discussion of the function of Sumerian votive statues; but assignment called for detailed description of this specific piece. You can write a description simply by weaving together the details you point out with your labels!
Web Quest
• Analyze a painting by Giotto
Ernest Student
Learning Goal: formal concepts of spatial recession and modeling with light and shade
Web Quest
• Formal analysis accompanied by brief written paragraph
• Concept of a “thesis” and supporting detail was introduced
• How does Giotto’s art differ from Medieval art?
Thesis: Giotto’s art is more realistic
Supporting Detail: use information from labels
Paragraph has a
thesis and supporting detail that address
assignment topic
Web Quest
• Subsequent assignments build upon and reinforce understanding
• Using labels and complete sentences point out at least three details that support the thesis that Flemish painting is more realistic than Medieval art
Criteria Points Comments Work Selection Used web resources as directed to locate a representative Flemish painting that was not studied in class
Identification Artist, title, medium, date, location
Realistic Details Indicates three details that support the thesis that Flemish painting is highly realistic
Summary Statement Statement summarising how work selected is typical of Flemish painting
Total
Rubrics provide feedback based on
learning goals
Web Quest
Group feedback also delivered on Blackboard
Web Quest Outcomes
• Preliminary outcomes were satisfying
Web Quest Outcomes
• Exposure to web resources and expanded visual vocabulary
Web Quest Outcomes
• Students were actually looking closely at pictures
Web Quest Outcomes
• High participation rate and active student engagement
Image source: http://www.mountainviewcollege.edu/teacherprogram/Spotlight/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=127
Web Quest Outcomes
• Bonus outcome: significant improvement on standardized test scores
Web Quest Outcomes
• Students were now prepared to write their first Visual analysis essay
Image source: Pocketofpills @ Flickr
Visual Analysis Essay
• Sample outline provided
Introduction addresses concept of Humanism in specific historical context
Work is correctly identified by title, medium, location, and date
Paragraph remains focused on a description of subject matter
Formal analysis is guided by a thesis
ART 109: RENAISSANCE TO MODERN
Assignment #4: Visual Analysis Essay Evaluation Name: Criteria Comments Introduction Introductory paragraph provides clear explanation/definition of the Renaissances and presents a clear thesis about its impact on art
Identification Correctly identifies work and includes all pertinent museum information in an engaging narrative
Subject Matter Provides a vivid description/ explanation of the subject matter with supporting detail and insightful observations
Style Provides a detailed description/ explanation of stylistic techniques in support of thesis using course vocabulary with confidence and understanding
Conclusion Summarizes points, relates work to thesis presented in the introduction, and reflects on larger significance/meaning
College level writing Grammar, punctuation, fully developed ideas, proper citation
Grade
It is now possible to evaluate learning more effectively
Building on What Has Been Learned
• Students with writing issues could be directed to the Writing Center
Image source: http://aeonianreview.org/Links.htm
Building on What Has Been Learned
• Part II: building on what has been learned
Image source: www.thinkandthrive.com
Building on What Has Been Learned
• First assignment
Building on What Has Been Learned
• Second Assignment
Compare/Contrast
• Third Assignment
Integrating Research
Integrating Research
Writing Style
Vincent Van Gogh, Peasant Woman Cooking by a Fireplace, 1885Metropolitan Museum
Jackson Pollock, Autumn RhythmMetropolitan Museum
Writing Style
Vincent Van Gogh, Peasant Woman Cooking by a Fireplace, 1885Metropolitan Museum
Does this description capture the mood of Van Gogh’s painting?Does this description capture the mood of Van Gogh’s painting?
“In this work of art Van Gogh focuses on a peasant woman as his main subject. She is seen sitting on a wooden stool. She is leaning towards an open fire holding a pan in her two hands and cooking herself or her family a meal.”
Writing Style
Does this description do a better job of capturing the mood?Does this description do a better job of capturing the mood?
Vincent Van Gogh, Peasant Woman Cooking by a Fireplace, 1885Metropolitan Museum
“This work shows a woman cooking with a pan, probably by a fireplace. It is very dark, so this is probably nighttime. It also looks like her face is dirty, probably the result of working hard all day. She is crouching over, and it makes me wonder if she is doing this because she is cold. Perhaps the heat of the pan is the only heat in her home. A teakettle is on the floor. It is probably there because there’s no other room for it on the stove. The small stove seems to fit the small, claustrophobic room.”
Writing Style
Use of adjectives to convey the emotion of the colorsUse of adjectives to convey the emotion of the colors
Vincent Van Gogh, Peasant Woman Cooking by a Fireplace, 1885Metropolitan Museum
“The colors are mostly dark greens and browns. There is a section of the wall that seems to be lit by the fire of the stove, and it glows a putrid green. Even where the colors are lighter, like on the floor, they are still mucky. It almost looks as if the paint was mixed together too much, and accidentally a swampy color scheme was created. Even the blue of her skirt has traces of dirt brown on it.”
Evaluating Success
Improved student outcomes Standardized test scores Written assessments
Fewer cases of plagiarism Improved retention
Image source: http://www.sundialconsulting.co.uk/
Evaluating Success
Dr. Elizabeth Guffey at Purchase College reports similar improved outcomes
Evaluating Success
• Weaker exam performance on units unaccompanied by web quest assignments
Image source: http://www.sundialconsulting.co.uk/
Evaluating Success
• Several cases of “relapse” and “no shows” on the final essay
Image source: http://www.sundialconsulting.co.uk/
Web 2.0 Technologies
• Web 2.0 technologies provide powerful tools for annotating visual images
Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Web_2.0_Map.svg
http://smarthistory.org/blog/category/cool-tools/
http://voicethread.com/#q+damien+hirst.b143830.i754022
http://voicethread.com/#q+damien+hirst.b143830.i754022
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoykeJWtUUg
Web 2.0 Technologies
• Web 2.0 technologies make it possible to re-think the lecture format
Image source: Marshall University College of Fine Arts
Web 2.0 Technologies
• Online lectures free up class time
Diagnosing the Problem
• More class time can be devoted to areas that students struggle with most
Image source: http://hubpages.com Image source: UNTAMED+ @ Flickr
Writing is the Goal
• Web 2.0 technologies can be useful aids
• But they do not replace the goal of a well written essay
Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Web_2.0_Map.svg
Writing is the Goal
• For me, the Blue Book Exam remains the ultimate test
“Sometimes the blank page can be daunting”Image source: J Diggity @ Flickr
Image source: Arbitrary.Marks @ Flickr