Art Education Commons^™

Why Arts Education, At All?: An A/R/Tographic Inquiry, Darshana Devarajan, Brittany M. Brewer, Karenanna Boyle Creps, Reyila Hadeer

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

In the wake of curricular epistemicide, the authors draw your attention towards the theoretical and practical constraints created around arts education. As a/r/tographers (artists, researchers, and teachers), we argue that our ways of knowing and creating in the space of curriculum and instruction are dynamic ways to think about and through curricular epistemicide. In foregrounding our own experiences of “(un)becoming through the cracks”, when we are faced with restrictive ways of knowing in a Department of Teacher Education, we put forth a question through our arts-based practices of knowing: why arts education, at all?

Theater Over Textbooks: How A Neuroscience Outreach Group Utilizing Art In S.T.E.M. Provides Cost-Effective Strategies In Tackling The United States Education Gap, Camden Grant Howard, William Griesar

University Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis was to summarize the relevant research for the evaluation of a S.T.E.A.M.-based, grassroots, neuroscience outreach group called 'NW Noggin'. This paper discusses the benefits and skills of S.T.E.M. in learning, the benefits and skills of S.T.E.A.M. in learning, educational disparities within the United States, educational outreach groups how they are currently assessed as well as more innovative arts-based and inquiry-based alternative assessments of student knowledge. This paper then focuses on the nonprofit NW Noggin to discuss their goals and activities and possible options for program assessment. This thesis also discusses how they fulfill their civic …

An Investigation Of The Impact Of High School Student Fine Arts Course Accumulation On Mathematics Course Achievement, Daniel Mackin Freeman

Dissertations and Theses

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational achievement is vital to economic competitiveness in the United States and abroad. Despite a concerted effort, the US lags well behind many similarly developed nations. Research suggests that the integration of fine arts education into traditional STEM curriculum (STEAM) boosts academic achievement in STEM subjects and closes gaps between low- and high-socioeconomic status students. Justifications for STEAM programs are based, however, on the unexamined assumption, for one, that fine arts courses instill creative and critical thinking skills that can be transferred to STEM subjects. The present study explores the impact of taking fine …

Culturally Specific Bilingual Arts Integration, Danielle L. Malan

Student Research Symposium

Today's young people are a source of growing social and academic concern. Combined with economic, cultural and linguistic barriers, Latino students are an even greater concern. Studies have demonstrated qualitative improved learning with either arts integration or with bilingual education. After a literature review, there was no conclusive quantitative evidence done prior to this study in 2015, for the benefits of combining the two to use bilingual arts integration as a method for improved learning. Could bilingual arts education improve learning? The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of bilingual arts integration on learning, and the positive …

Using Art To Teach Students Science Outdoors: How Creative Science Instruction Influences Observation, Question Formation, And Involvement, Christina Schull Cone

Dissertations and Theses

Elementary education has become increasingly divided into subjects and focused on the demand for high math and reading scores. Consequently, teachers spend less time devoted to science and art instruction. However, teaching art and science is crucial to developing creative and rational thinking, especially for observation and questioning skills. In this study, third grade students attending an urban school in Portland, Oregon received instruction of an art strategy using observational and quantifying drawing techniques. This study examines, "Will an art strategy observing the local environment help students make observations and ask questions?" and "In what ways are student learning and …

Teaching Visual Awareness To General Education Students, Larry Edward Gross

Dissertations and Theses

The goal of this thesis was to present a teaching method which would demonstrate increased visual awareness in general education college students. The particular approach presented for that purpose was also designed to be of potential benefit to students' total educational experience. To that end sane conditions and specific research were introduced as necessary considerations for the teaching approach and for the role of art education as it pertains to the thesis goal.

A Study Of Art Education In The Elementary School Curriculum As Amplification Of Other Academic Subjects And As A Promoter Of Creativity In The Learning Process, Jana Demartini-Svoboda

Dissertations and Theses

The goal of this thesis was to identify teaching interrelationships between art and other subjects in the elementary school curricula and thus indicate the usefulness of art education in the educational process.

Teaching Figure Drawing To Adolescents Within The Context To [I.E. Of] Imaginative Compositions, As A Means Of Increasing Artistic Confidence And Abilities, Christine Flavell Turner

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis describes a process of teaching figure drawing to adolescents which places importance on the subjective experiences of the students. Traditional figure drawing methods emphasizing the development of visual perceptual skills are integrated with activities which are designed to secure emotional participation, and develop awareness of art as a means of expression and communication. This approach seems to motivate students and to reduce the anxiety usually experienced by adolescents when they are drawing the figure.

Advanced Decorative Ceramics Techniques For High School Students, Deborah Ann Kent

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis deals with the implementation of luster and underglaze ceramic decorating techniques into the secondary ceramic curriculum. The formation and presentation of this unit is based upon historical and contemporary research of lusters and underglazes, as well as the author's own work with the materials. An instructional unit was designed to fulfill three primary objectives. First, to acquaint the student with the basic materials and techniques; second, to introduce the student to the conceptualization of successful imagery; third, to give the student ample opportunity to explore the uses and possibilities of the materials.

An Introduction To Black And White Lithography : Two Alternatives To The Stone, Carolyn Brookhart

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis describes two lithographic techniques that may be used to introduce black and white lithography to beginning art students. Aluminum plate and paper lithography are two relatively low cost and safe lithographic methods suitable for schools with limited budgets and limited space.

It is recommended that the instructor interested in teaching the two processes described in this thesis have some previous experience in lithography.

Introducing The Secondary Student To Sculptural Design And Form In Metal : Welding Sheet Steel Using The Oxyacetylene Torch, Philip John Smith

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis deals with the application of simple oxyacetylene welding techniques to the secondary art curriculum. Welded sculptural forms in sheet steel have been the focus of my own work during the past three years and these experiences formed the basis or background of the presentation of these skills to secondary students. An instructional unit was designed to fulfill three primary objectives. First, to familiarize the student with the basic tools and materials used in the construction of welded steel sculpture; second, to introduce the student to the creative concepts involved in the creation of sculptural form; third, to give …

Human Services Aa Degree Programs, Ken Price

Dissertations and Theses

There are two major purposes of this study. One purpose is to provide faculty, administrators, and advisory committees of the Human Services program at Clackamas Community College (CCC) with information for use in recruitment and curriculum planning. The other purpose is to fulfill practicum credit requirements of the Master of Social Work program at Portland State University.

The four chapters of this practicum cover background information about Associate of Arts (AA) programs and CCC, the review of the literature, the empirical research, and implications of the study for the CCC Human Services Department.

Landscape Painting In The Secondary Classroom, Margaret Shirley

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis attempts to demonstrate an approach to secondary art education which will emphasize the student's own experience as the basis of his art work. Furthermore, the students' learning activities are given a broader context by the inclusion of material from the history of art within the framework of the studio course. Such an integrated approach can give meaningful insight to the adolescent as he deals with experience in a visual form.

This orientation to art education has evolved through the writer's own teaching experience and from reading the works of art educators. In preparation for the thesis, I researched …

Supergraphics In The Portland Environment, John Earl Allgood

Dissertations and Theses

It is my purpose in this thesis to explore supergraphics ln the Portland area. I intend this thesis to be used as a source book for teachers wishing to implement supergraphics programs in their schools. I plan to divide my thesis into _ two areas: First, a survey of supergraphics in the Portland environment, and second, ' a survey of Portland area schools that have implemented supergraphlc projects or programs.

A substantial portion of the information compiled for this thesis comes from conversations with Portland area graphic designers, architects and teachers. I have included photographs of what I consider to …

The Value Of Color Systems In Education, Shirley Jo Brehm

Dissertations and Theses

Color is with us everywhere, all the time. It is an integral part of our existence. Sensitivity to color and awareness of color's physical and psychological qualities is undeveloped in the normal, average human being. What can be done about this? Where can it be done? The answers to these two questions form the basis for this thesis. Color awareness as part of visual education and environmental sensitivity can be taught and should be taught in every educational institution. The key to BUCcessful instruction is informed, knowledgeable, color sensitive teachers and the exposure of students to workable color systems. Color …

Colored Light: A Brief Study Of Stained Glass Windows, Including A Self-Guided Tour Of Stained Glass In West Portland, L. Jean Connors

Dissertations and Theses

The goal of the thesis was to make available a reference for the beginning appreciation of stained glass windows. It was designed for the person who has no prior experience in stained glass, and therefore the information is kept general and non-technical. A short history of stained glass is contained within the first section, and the second section is a self-guided tour of stained glass in West Portland.

The historical information was pieced together from the library resources of Portland State University. The subject itself is difficult, as extensive reference material and primary sources are simply not available.

The second …

Sculpture For The Secondary Level, Joanne Beckett Peekema

Dissertations and Theses

The goal of this thesis was to illustrate that secondary students, when motivated to express themselves, can effectively apply to their own work those elements of design relevant to sculptural form.

This unit sought, first, to develop in secondary students a knowledge of sculptural techniques for handling terracotta; second, this unit sought to inspire or motivate the secondary students by utilizing a subject of great interest to them, their own images; third, this unit sought to bring together the students' understanding of the material and their motivation for self expression -- to transform their ideas into three-dimensional works of art; …

Solid Casting In Aluminum And Concrete Using The Multiple-Piece Plaster Mold: A Method Of Introducing The Adolescent Student To The Indirect Method Of Sculpture, Donald Leroy Sandblast

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis deals with an investigation of the feasibility of using the multiple-piece plaster mold as a vehicle for teaching the indirect method of sculpture to the adolescent student. It is based upon the assumption that the students involved in the processes described will have had previous experience with the tools, techniques, and materials to be used. The investigation centered around the ability of the students to express themselves through the development of a sculptural form. The teacher's role was to assist the student identifying, expressing, and evaluating his individual goals against those goals established by the teacher. Instructional goals …

Increasing Visual Sensitivity In Urban School Students: A Strategy For Involving Students In Aesthetic Concerns, Harold Louis Johnson

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this thesis project was to investigate a way of fomenting greater student involvement in visual aesthetic concerns through the teacher taking on a partial role of artist-in-residence in order to give students direct contact with his creative ideas. A group of approximately one hundred fifty students at John Adams High School were presented with a week-long display of abandoned automobile mufflers accompanied by drawings of the mufflers in various media.

Acrylic Polymer Transparencies, Inez Allen Kendrick

Dissertations and Theses

Brief mentions by three writers on synthetic painting media first intrigued my interest in a' new technique of making transparent acrylic paintings on glass or plexiglas supports, some of which were said to I I simulate stained-glass windows. In writing this paper on acrylic polymer transparencies my problem was three-told: first. to determine whether any major recognized works of art have been produced by this, method; second, to experiment with the technique and materials in order to explore their possibilities for my own work; and third, to determine whether both materials and methods would be suitable for use in a …

Expanding The Visual Potential Of Subject Matter Through Two-Dimensional Design, William Paul Paxton

Dissertations and Theses

This research problem represents an attempt to forestall the high school student's usual preoccupation with perceptive minutiae by placing an emphasis on the monumental or underlying structure of a work of art.

The author, endeavoring to afford maximum success for the students, first stripped subject matter to its most pristine quality, the silhouette. Because it was felt that it is much easier to recognize and organize an underlying structure without the added complication of perspective, emphasis was placed on a depthless surface or decorative space to be organized into a coherent whole through application of the abstractions which are the …

Teaching Sculpture In High Schools, Richard Henry Helzer

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis proposes to develop a one-year sculpture program for high school art students. The intention is to present a reference and guide for those teachers interested in establishing their own sculpture program. Justifications for the course are discussed, including the importance of experiencing three-dimensional forms for any student interested in the visual experiences of life - be it nature or the man-made environment. The general approach to teaching sculpturing is presented along with a sequence of projects designed to provide the student with a variety of experiences with sculpturing as an art form and means of personal expression. Also …

A Series Of Paintings Which Investigate And Present Volume Experience As An Aspect Of Spatial Tension With Hue Variations As A Prime Agent, Carl B. Clapp

Dissertations and Theses

This work is concerned with volume as presented in a painting. The investigation begins with a painting of drawn geometric shapes. Each successive painting problem explores additional facets of variations from this basic problem.

There is a total of six painting problems. The general intent of these problems is to investigate the following in regard to volume of experience:

1. color contrast in hue, value, intensity, proportion and complement
2. pattern variations
3. the color phenomenon of simultaneous contrast

The medium is acrylic polymer emulsion applied with brush on stretch canvas.

Children’S Drama Available For The Elementary School Children Of Portland, Oregon, Margaret Othus Gender

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis was an endeavor to find the drama available for the elementary children of Portland, Oregon. In deciding what drama was for children two different forms were first researched. Children's theatre done by adults such as in community services, educational programs and professional and commercial theatres were studied. Drama by children, referred to as the less formalized drama, creative dramatics was also investigated.

To further examine the background of children's theatre in the United States, various children's theatres around the country were studied including the University Children's Theatre at Northwestern under the direction of Winifred Ward and Goodman Memorial …