Forum Post 4 Jesse Persons

Visual Thinking Strategies makes so much sense in every classroom. I really liked the idea that children want to make sense of what they are seeing. Bringing the arts into core content, and giving students the opportunity to explore and discuss what they see, builds their vocabulary and provides experience in reasoning and gaining perspective from others. One of the biggest takeaways for me is that as teachers, we should avoid giving or inserting information. When using VTS, students should be exploring and reasoning with each other in their own responses. Asking thought provoking questions or offering statements, should be based directly and specifically on what students offer. VTS is student centered learning that naturally scaffolds into the teacher directed content lesson.

This lesson example from the Milwaukee Art Museum directs teachers how to encourage students to find evidence to back up their independent observations, and have discussions about it.

http://teachers.mam.org/collection/teaching-with-art/visual-thinking-strategies-vts/

I can see finding evidence to back up their independent observations as a useful practice in the science classroom. I agree that it is important that students get the opportunity to lead the conversation based on what images the teacher presents to them. It is a chance for students to see what other perspectives are there in the classroom other than the teacher.

I am so glad you pointed out that visual literacy is not "providing a correct answer."  So many students feel intimidated about answering questions in class--will they have the "right answer?"  It can be scary.  As edudators we can teach students that many times, there is no "right answer" and interpretation of our world is individual and WILL be different.

You are right that we need to avoid "inserting information." I find that as a teacher, I need to work on that skill.  Sometimes, I do not give my students enough "thinking time," or time and opportunity to be thoughtful in their answers and expressions.

I'm hoping I can work on this during the next school year and become more of a facilitator who helps guide students in critical thinking--allowing their minds to work and ideas to be built off of one another.

Thanks for sharing!