|
|
The three articles I read about the benefits seen in student learning when having the arts integrated with general education were fascinating. One of the key points I took away from these articles is that integrating the arts into core subjects creates longer lasting learning for students of all ages and abilities. The first article talked quite a bit about Gardner's 7 Intelligences. The author pointed out that traditional teaching and instruction is geared for students who learn easily through visual or auditory means. This leaves out students who learn for understanding in other ways, such as kinesthetic, or hands-on learning. Using arts integration within core subjects provides an opportunity for concrete learning--students will retain and understand the information fully, not just regurgitate facts about a topic.
Even when art is being taught just for arts sake, and isn't necessarily teaching other subjects, students' understanding of other topics may also increase. This is because art teaches judgement, relationships, and decision making processes to students. When learning art, students realize that there isn't always just "one correct way" to do something. They realize that everything in our world isn't always governed by "right answers" or "rules." Art teaches that not everyone thinks alike and alternative approaches to problem solving is a good thing! By practicing and learning art and art concepts, students learn how to be problem solvers and critical thinkers, whereas "teaching to the test" just teaches students how to memorize facts and repeat them.
The third article was the presentation of an actual study on improved student learning through arts integration within Chicago schools. This study aimed to show how arts instruction develops unmeasured facets of student development. The results of this study showed that when units where arts and general academics were equally intertwined, students had stronger connections and meaningful understanding. Students used higher order thinking skills like analysis, synthesis, and application to their own lives through this type of immersive and hands-on approach. Although all skill levels benefitted through this style of teaching, students at the low-end of the spectrum made explicit and meaningful connections that they would not have made had the subject been taught in the more traditional learning setting. Another benefit of integrated arts and general education was the reduce of stress and feelings of inadequacy by students (especially those who may have learning disabilities).
Having two of my own children with learning disabilities, I couldn't agree more with all that was shared in these articles. Our goal as educators is to teach students to be critical thinkers who are able to make decisions, judgements, and observations of their own world. Providing hands-on instruction to allow for higher order thinking and application is essential. As a music teacher, I find that, while teaching music concepts, I can easily connect them to general education as well. I often work with patterns, syllables, and rhymes, which is very easily tied to math and reading skills! Studying form of music or art also creates those skills needed to evaluate real-life situations students will find as they go through life. Music and art create thoughtful and critical thinkers who can truly interact with their world around them in meaningful ways.
|
Locked
