The philosophy that I have developed throughout the course of this semester seems to reflect my strong beliefs in a well-rounded education. I believe that the inclusion of art with regular and standard education is essential to complete this circle. Let me first explain what art is in the context of my philosophy. The art that I am speaking of is all art from performance arts of drama and music to the visual arts of design, painting, and other forms of visual art. Art is what I believe is beneficial and essential for education to fulfill its purposes. The goal of education is to produce citizens, by the time they exit high school and enter into post-secondary education, who have a deep understanding of the world and have had the chance to encounter all the areas of human knowledge. We want to expose our children and young students to all the possibilities for college and for careers and this means letting them have a chance to be creative through art as well.
“What Does it mean to Educate the Whole Child? by Nel Noddings, was an important influence on this opinion. He believes that education should be expected to educate children in areas other than over-working them in reading and mathematics. He believes that education is lacking in the sense of educating the whole child because something is missing. Art is what is missing. Art is what develops the critical, creative, and communicative processes of the brain. Art allows students and young people to explore through visual language and create new things. Art allows people to think deeply about what they see in front of them and critically analyze its successes and failures. Art also allows people to express and communicate their ideas for a better world and community as well as allow them to express their personal feelings. There are certain functions of art that can be taught through visual processes that can benefit and enrich the total education system.
Creativity is probably the most important contribution art makes to the education system, as obvious as that sounds. Creativity is a crucial element to progress in human civilizations. Scientists and mathematicians alike both need creativity throughout their careers. They need to be able to see into the future and imagine what no one else sees. They need to imagine the potential for many things that will help people, such as developing new vaccines, engineering safer buildings, and creating better technology. Mathematicians use their imaginations constantly as well. My mathematical ideas professor this semester, Vince Corvo, has continuously stressed this idea. He has helped me to see that all mathematics is, is the study of abstract patterns and the most important function is not logic, but the ability to imagine and make assumptions based off of epiphanies of the imagination. They need to be able to make an assumption about an abstract mathematical concept or pattern and develop the theorems that we see in modern mathematics. Other skills such as communication teaches people to accept others and have empathy for their cultures and promotes diversity. The skill of being able to think critically is also important because it teaches people to be critical of themselves and what is around them, all in concordance with imagining a better world and community.
My philosophy about art education therefore all comes down to this simple statement. I have a personal belief that art is essential to education and belongs in the circle of education with our standards of math, science, social science, health sciences, philosophy, language, and history. Education is the gift of knowledge, therefore we should give this gift to all students through all means of education in our schools and society.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Why?
The question of why?
It is important for the sake of knowledge that children, adults, and all who are learning to ask the very simple question of why? Literally stated, you can ask why? as a verbal question you wish to be answered to you in a classroom or other learning situation or you can ask why internally and begin the process of engagement into research to gain the knowledge on your own.
I think that, sparking off from Greene's introduction to Releasing the Imagination, our school system is not built to allow the chance to ask why. The school system that is not based around or catering to the imaginative qualities is rigid and cold and only allows you to know who, what, where, and how, but rarely the why. The school system, at least in our country, is based on strict fact and cerebral functions of learning, basically your knowledge and capabilities are tested and you are given a score about how many facts you know and if you are able to logic and reason your way through.
For instance, my mathematics classes in high school never taught me why. I knew what the formulas were, I remembered them by copying them down on paper a million times, I knew who found the formula, I knew what the theories were, I knew the mathematical notation, but I barely knew why it was what it was. We barely talked about the history of mathematics or the developments of certain notations and key concepts in math. Take Pi for example. I never knew what Pi really was or why it existed and why it makes sense to upper mathematics. The only thing that I knew what that Pi has been given some approximation of 3.14, but I didn't know why it existed. It wasn't until this semester, in my mathematical ideas class that I found out that Pi corresponds to the measure of half a circle, and that it really doesn't need to be given a mathematical approximation because Pi is abstract. In other words, Pi's abstract qualities have been shown, not its mathematical calculations.
Mathematics would not have existed if it weren't for a few people with imaginations. Even mathematics is a very abstract way of making sense of things, making sense of the world we live in. These people who developed mathematics had to look into the future, had to be able to see and think abstractly, had to think outside of their limitations, and into their imaginations. They had to be able to see that something else was out there, other solutions and answers were yet to be discovered.
When you get to ask why, you learn more and then you are taking control of what you are learning. You can become engaged in the learning process if you are able to ask why! Just to know why, be taught why, and figure out why on your own is a way to build a deeper understanding.
If we want education to be the strong hold of our progress of society, we need to allow the imagination to soar. We need to be able to cater to those who want to think differently, those who want to see a better future and those who can see a better future, those who think outside of what is in front of them. The one's that ask why are the ones with the ablity to see that something is missing, that something is not being taught. The one's that ask why are the one's interested in learning, the one's that want to have a deep understanding. The one's that ask why will be the one's more open to the possibilities that learning brings.
I really liked some of things that Greene mentioned in her introduction. She really does see the progress of creating better education for the future as a long narrative with multiple viewpoints, characters, opinions, and ideas. She really does believe that there will be someway to change things. She herself has released her imagination.
It is important for the sake of knowledge that children, adults, and all who are learning to ask the very simple question of why? Literally stated, you can ask why? as a verbal question you wish to be answered to you in a classroom or other learning situation or you can ask why internally and begin the process of engagement into research to gain the knowledge on your own.
I think that, sparking off from Greene's introduction to Releasing the Imagination, our school system is not built to allow the chance to ask why. The school system that is not based around or catering to the imaginative qualities is rigid and cold and only allows you to know who, what, where, and how, but rarely the why. The school system, at least in our country, is based on strict fact and cerebral functions of learning, basically your knowledge and capabilities are tested and you are given a score about how many facts you know and if you are able to logic and reason your way through.
For instance, my mathematics classes in high school never taught me why. I knew what the formulas were, I remembered them by copying them down on paper a million times, I knew who found the formula, I knew what the theories were, I knew the mathematical notation, but I barely knew why it was what it was. We barely talked about the history of mathematics or the developments of certain notations and key concepts in math. Take Pi for example. I never knew what Pi really was or why it existed and why it makes sense to upper mathematics. The only thing that I knew what that Pi has been given some approximation of 3.14, but I didn't know why it existed. It wasn't until this semester, in my mathematical ideas class that I found out that Pi corresponds to the measure of half a circle, and that it really doesn't need to be given a mathematical approximation because Pi is abstract. In other words, Pi's abstract qualities have been shown, not its mathematical calculations.
Mathematics would not have existed if it weren't for a few people with imaginations. Even mathematics is a very abstract way of making sense of things, making sense of the world we live in. These people who developed mathematics had to look into the future, had to be able to see and think abstractly, had to think outside of their limitations, and into their imaginations. They had to be able to see that something else was out there, other solutions and answers were yet to be discovered.
When you get to ask why, you learn more and then you are taking control of what you are learning. You can become engaged in the learning process if you are able to ask why! Just to know why, be taught why, and figure out why on your own is a way to build a deeper understanding.
If we want education to be the strong hold of our progress of society, we need to allow the imagination to soar. We need to be able to cater to those who want to think differently, those who want to see a better future and those who can see a better future, those who think outside of what is in front of them. The one's that ask why are the ones with the ablity to see that something is missing, that something is not being taught. The one's that ask why are the one's interested in learning, the one's that want to have a deep understanding. The one's that ask why will be the one's more open to the possibilities that learning brings.
I really liked some of things that Greene mentioned in her introduction. She really does see the progress of creating better education for the future as a long narrative with multiple viewpoints, characters, opinions, and ideas. She really does believe that there will be someway to change things. She herself has released her imagination.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Loving School
"Attending school then was sheer joy. I loved being a student. I loved learning. School was the place of ecstasy-pleasure and danger. To be changed by ideas was pure pleasure."
Why do I love this quote?
Well, because I have to agree. At this point in time, this is how I am feeling about school. I realize more and more each day about how I love being in school, especially college. I love to learn and I am even pushing myself to learn things that are irrelevant to my courses this semester. I love being a student so much, I am already planning for graduate school, which I have high ambitions to attend (meaning I am going to try harder and harder in school.)
I also agree with what the author says about school being a place for pleasure and danger. It can be very fun and exciting when you are learning, sharing ideas with people, being taught by professional scholars and people who work in the fields they teach. Yet, it is still dangerous. My take on dangerous is the work that is involved. It is easy to get excited about certain classes, until you realize how much work you have to do. This sometimes gets in the way of my want and will to learn as much as possible. I suddenly pack my schedule to the top and challenge myself, but then I soon find out how much work it really is. Its very dangerous because now I am always tired and staying up late to do homework as well as learn, learn, and learn some more.
With being in college is the freedom to choose and pick the education I want to get. Especially with art school. I have a freedom to choose my major and a little room to choose which electives I want to throw in, and which Humanities and Sciences to learn. However, despite this freedom, there is also a lot of structure that makes you seem like you are conforming to a specific track. With my major for example, Graphic Design, there are so many core graphics classes to take and there is not a lot of room to take anything else among your schedule. I am fine with this to be honest since I know I love graphic design, but I have recently spoken with some others who find this is to be a problem. At the end of our conversation, I actually referred him to the SMART program which he hadn't heard of, because what he was saying about having some freedom to choose which studio classes you take, as well as what he was saying about wanting to become a teacher, sounded like that program would be a great one for him.
For closing remarks, this quote stood out to me because it expresses what I am feeling currently about school. It really is the best time, to be in college, to be open to all of this new knowledge and work with people who have high levels of specialty in what they teach, it truly is amazing. My ideas and opinions are being changed, confirmed, and challenged everyday and that is how I know I am learning and developing as a scholar as well as creative person.
Why do I love this quote?
Well, because I have to agree. At this point in time, this is how I am feeling about school. I realize more and more each day about how I love being in school, especially college. I love to learn and I am even pushing myself to learn things that are irrelevant to my courses this semester. I love being a student so much, I am already planning for graduate school, which I have high ambitions to attend (meaning I am going to try harder and harder in school.)
I also agree with what the author says about school being a place for pleasure and danger. It can be very fun and exciting when you are learning, sharing ideas with people, being taught by professional scholars and people who work in the fields they teach. Yet, it is still dangerous. My take on dangerous is the work that is involved. It is easy to get excited about certain classes, until you realize how much work you have to do. This sometimes gets in the way of my want and will to learn as much as possible. I suddenly pack my schedule to the top and challenge myself, but then I soon find out how much work it really is. Its very dangerous because now I am always tired and staying up late to do homework as well as learn, learn, and learn some more.
With being in college is the freedom to choose and pick the education I want to get. Especially with art school. I have a freedom to choose my major and a little room to choose which electives I want to throw in, and which Humanities and Sciences to learn. However, despite this freedom, there is also a lot of structure that makes you seem like you are conforming to a specific track. With my major for example, Graphic Design, there are so many core graphics classes to take and there is not a lot of room to take anything else among your schedule. I am fine with this to be honest since I know I love graphic design, but I have recently spoken with some others who find this is to be a problem. At the end of our conversation, I actually referred him to the SMART program which he hadn't heard of, because what he was saying about having some freedom to choose which studio classes you take, as well as what he was saying about wanting to become a teacher, sounded like that program would be a great one for him.
For closing remarks, this quote stood out to me because it expresses what I am feeling currently about school. It really is the best time, to be in college, to be open to all of this new knowledge and work with people who have high levels of specialty in what they teach, it truly is amazing. My ideas and opinions are being changed, confirmed, and challenged everyday and that is how I know I am learning and developing as a scholar as well as creative person.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
How I learn
According to the survey I just took I am a visual/non-verbal learner! Hooray! I would not be at CCA if this were not true. After reflecting on the reasons why I was deemed as this kind of learner, I have come up with my own list of ways that I enjoy learning (and not all of them are non-verbal):
1. Information graphics. My favorite magazine to read is GOOD Magazine. Why? Well, because it has tons of information graphics. With every article there is some sort of graph, chart, illustration, or map that goes along with it. I enjoy being able to look at what I just read and seeing it mapped out in front of my eyes. It helps me really understand what the point of the article was about and what the main information was.
2. Watching documentaries. I love to watch documentaries. In high school, I really enjoyed watching the History Channel and Discovery Channel with my dad. For me, I really enjoy watching the composed video including music, numerous scholars and people giving commentary, narration, and of course the visuals such as pictures and videos that accompany it. I learn a lot from documentaries because it gives me the full experience. Another reason I like to watch documentaries is because I get excited when I get to see which university each of the professors and scholars who give the commentary are from.
3. Smart People. I learn better when I am around people who are much more intelligent than I am. All of my friends in high school were all liberal arts, university bound students. I loved to hang out with them because we all had intellectual conversations. They always knew something that I didn't and I learned a lot about different things through these conversations. I like to surround myself with intelligent people because they motivate me to be like them. They make me want to achieve their level and know what they know. I also like to pick up vocabulary from these friends of mine, since they had such proficient vocabularies! This is also a reason why I love my professors and educated adults in general. They have a lot to offer me and have a lot to teach me.
There are many other ways that I enjoy learning, but these are the top ones. All of these things contribute to who I am as a learner. As I mentioned in class, I am a learner who gets all excited about something new, learn it in its entirety, and then stores it in long-term memory. I am not very good at having information at the top of my head, but I am pretty good at storing information for the long haul. I think this helps me to understand broad concepts (at least I think I do). Give me something interesting and I get all excited about it and have to learn as much as I can about it. For instance, my latest craving for information has been in mathematics. I recently read a book about the history of mathematics and even now that I am in a class about mathematical ideas, I still am craving this information so I am reading the books recommended to me about math. It is something that I want to really learn and understand, so I am doing what I can to learn it. However, this information is being stored in my long-term memory and will by no means be on the top of my mind. This is why I am not good at trivia!
So in terms of learning, I like to learn. That is all life is about is learning! It is very exciting to be in school to learn! The beauty of learning is that you don't have to be an expert at something to learn it. How else do experts become experts! By learning!
Anyone can learn anything that they want with the right motivation and focus.
1. Information graphics. My favorite magazine to read is GOOD Magazine. Why? Well, because it has tons of information graphics. With every article there is some sort of graph, chart, illustration, or map that goes along with it. I enjoy being able to look at what I just read and seeing it mapped out in front of my eyes. It helps me really understand what the point of the article was about and what the main information was.
2. Watching documentaries. I love to watch documentaries. In high school, I really enjoyed watching the History Channel and Discovery Channel with my dad. For me, I really enjoy watching the composed video including music, numerous scholars and people giving commentary, narration, and of course the visuals such as pictures and videos that accompany it. I learn a lot from documentaries because it gives me the full experience. Another reason I like to watch documentaries is because I get excited when I get to see which university each of the professors and scholars who give the commentary are from.
3. Smart People. I learn better when I am around people who are much more intelligent than I am. All of my friends in high school were all liberal arts, university bound students. I loved to hang out with them because we all had intellectual conversations. They always knew something that I didn't and I learned a lot about different things through these conversations. I like to surround myself with intelligent people because they motivate me to be like them. They make me want to achieve their level and know what they know. I also like to pick up vocabulary from these friends of mine, since they had such proficient vocabularies! This is also a reason why I love my professors and educated adults in general. They have a lot to offer me and have a lot to teach me.
There are many other ways that I enjoy learning, but these are the top ones. All of these things contribute to who I am as a learner. As I mentioned in class, I am a learner who gets all excited about something new, learn it in its entirety, and then stores it in long-term memory. I am not very good at having information at the top of my head, but I am pretty good at storing information for the long haul. I think this helps me to understand broad concepts (at least I think I do). Give me something interesting and I get all excited about it and have to learn as much as I can about it. For instance, my latest craving for information has been in mathematics. I recently read a book about the history of mathematics and even now that I am in a class about mathematical ideas, I still am craving this information so I am reading the books recommended to me about math. It is something that I want to really learn and understand, so I am doing what I can to learn it. However, this information is being stored in my long-term memory and will by no means be on the top of my mind. This is why I am not good at trivia!
So in terms of learning, I like to learn. That is all life is about is learning! It is very exciting to be in school to learn! The beauty of learning is that you don't have to be an expert at something to learn it. How else do experts become experts! By learning!
Anyone can learn anything that they want with the right motivation and focus.
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