Greenlee
Learning Technology and Design
Understanding Arts Integration
Arts integration is an approach to teaching
approach (n) - a path, road, or other means of reaching a person or place.
Arts integration is more than just an activity. Arts integration is an approach to teaching that is used daily in the classroom.
This refers to how something is taught instead of what is taught. Teaching approaches can fall under a huge umbrella. That may be traditional, teacher-centered, or progressive, student centered.
Arts integration relies heavily on the progressive, student-centered approach.
This approach to teaching is grounded in the belief that learning is actively built, experiential, evolving, collaborative, problem-solving, and reflective.
Constructivist Practices that align with arts integration practices
Drawing on student's prior knowledge
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Using student assessment as part of the learning experience.
Providing active hands-on learning with authentic problems for students to solve in divergent ways
Arranging opportunities for students to learn from each other to enrich their understandings
Engaging students in reflections about their learning.
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Building a positive classroom environment that encourages andsupports student risk taking, explores possibilities, and learn social and cooperative skills.
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Students construct and demonstrate understanding…
understand (vt.) – (1) to get or perceive the meaning of; to know or grasp what is meant by; comprehend (2) to gather or assume from what is heard; to infer
In arts integration students are given many ways to make sense of what they learn (construct understanding) and make their learning visible (demonstrate understanding). Instead of just helping students learn and recall information students are challenged to take information that they learn and use it to build deeper understanding.
Students create a visible demonstration of their learning instead of the usual formative and summative assessments. The arts are used to demonstrate their understanding. For example, using dance to show the steps in the water cycle. Or, creating a script and acting it out to show causes of the American Revolution.
… through an Art Form
art form (n) - any branch of creative work in the arts
(visual arts, dance, drama, music); the products of creative work
When using arts integration understanding is demonstrated through the productsthey create such as dance, painting, or drama. It is important that students are given the opportunity construct and demonstrate their understanding in many different ways.
Teachers should prepare lessons that engage students in visual, aural, and kinesthetic learning modalities so that they can process what they are learning actively.
Through the arts students are engaged through observing, listening, and movement. This gives them the opportunity to attain information and actively build understanding.
Students engage in a Creative Process…
Creativity (n) – an imaginative activity fashioned so as to produce outcomes that are original and of value.
The most important part of arts integration is engagement in the creative process. In arts integration teachers are encouraged to challenge students to do more than what the teacher presents to them. Arts integration requires students to create something that is original and of value.
The creative process allows students to engage and produce original work that communicates their ideas, insights, point of view, and feelings.
… which connects an art form and another subject area…
connect (v)- to join, link, or fasten together; unite or bind
The wonderful thing about arts integration is that it allows educators to make connections between specific art form and a specific curriculum area. The artscan also be used to connect with student outside of the curriculum. Administrators and teachers can use the arts to assist with behavior and classroom management.
… and meets Evolving Objectives in both.
evolve (v)-to develop gradually
Arts integration requires teachers to set objectives in both the art form and the other subject areas. Students are then held accountable for learning in both the art form and the core subject.
The objectives in both the arts and the curriculum are set to evolve and challenge the students by deepening their understanding across all subjects.
As students gain more understanding and master objectives they are ready to face new challenges. It is important for teachers to always monitor student’s progress and adjust their instruction due to each student’s individual needs.