Art and Learn with Dr. Kern

My Teaching Pedagogy (Philosophy and Methodology):

My philosophy of education simply put is that learning must be relevant to learners to be impactful. To be impactful, we must believe that we are valued members who can contribute to humanity by investigating, asking relevant questions, solving problems, and adding to new knowledge that positively impacts our local and global communities. We live in a “plug in, grind out” factory packaged world where instant gratification comes from likes on social media, quick answers found online, ready-made meals, and same day or overnight shipping. We have no problem posting videos of what we are eating for dinner or our up-close and personal emotional breakdowns. However, isolation rates are increasing, and people’s self-esteem levels are plummeting. People are disconnected even though information is everywhere, and social media has us in each other’s lives.

Teaching and learning connect us! But what happened to learning that made us feel good about ourselves because of what and how we could contribute to the world we live in, and what we could achieve with our minds and team efforts? I believe we can get back to that by making our subject matters and teaching methods more meaningful and impactful by creating connections to and solving problems within the world around us. My classroom is an exciting and active learning lab where curiosity, creative thinking, problem-solving, practice and production, collaboration, assessment of experience and real-world applications are key components for student success. I make connections to contemporary, historical, cultural, geographical, economic, environmental, technological, and other issues that foster curiosity, problem solving, and independent and team learning. These skills are connected to 21st century skills and executive functioning skills. I use the following art education methods that can be applied to almost any subject matter, and these methods enhance self-confidence, team collaboration, creative and critical thinking, applications to real world problem solving, and meaningful learning:

Teaching for Artistic Behavior: students who are inspired by their own ideas and choices and create with my support
Studio Habits of Mind: 1) development of skill in use of media, tools, and techniques; 2) immersion within a project and the perseverance to solve problems and stay focused; 3) use of imagination to explore new possibilities and ideas prior to and during art production; 4) expression of concepts, feelings, or environments; 5) employ keen observation; 6) take risks to explore new ideas and techniques and embrace mistakes as part of the learning process; 7) expand knowledge and understanding of artworks and artists throughout history and within our contemporary world; and 8) honest self-reflection of process and product.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): 1) self-awareness, 2) self-management, 3) social awareness, 4) relationship skills, and 5) responsible decision making.
Discipline Based Art Education: 1) art production; 2) art history; 3) art criticism: describe, analyze, interpret, and evaluate; and 4) aesthetics: how does it make you feel and how does it relate to the human condition: emotions, cultures, economics, history, and religions.
Design Thinking: human-centered collaboration to solve a problem through ideas, prototypes, and tests to see if the solution works.

References:

Hare, T. (2016, January 15). Use the studio habits as a guide for reflective self-assessment. The Art of Education University. https://theartofeducation.edu/2016/01/using-the-studio-habits-as-a-guide-for-reflective-self-assessment/

Krajewski, S. (2020, October 27). 50 Activities that support social-emotional learning. The Art of Education University.

https://theartofeducation.edu/2020/10/50-activities-that-support-social-emotional-learning/

VanDerMolen, M. (2023, September 25). Determine the teaching approach mix that fits your art room best. The Art of Education University. https://theartofeducation.edu/2023/09/determine-the-teaching-approach-mix-that-fits-your-art-room-best/

In art, my goal is to ignite a love of learning and creative expression by teaching the foundations: The Global Skills of Drawing: 1) Edges, 2) Spaces, 3) Relationships: proportion, 4) Lights and Shadows, and 5) The Gesalt/The Whole and its Parts (Edwards, 2012). The Art Elements: 1) Line, 2) Shape, 3) Lights and Darks, 4) Volume/Mass, 5) Texture, 6) Positive and Negative Space, 7) Depth, 8) Perspective: linear and atmospheric, 9) Time and Motion, and 10) Color (Frank, 2011). The Principles of Design: 1) Unity and Variety, 2) Balance, 3) Focal Point and Subordination, 4) Directional Forces, 5) Contrast, 6) Repetition and Rhythm, and 7) Scale and Proportion (Frank, 2011).

References:

Edwards, B. (2012). Drawing on the right side of the brain. TarcherPerigee.

Frank, P. (2011). Prebles’ artforms: An introduction to the visual arts. Pearson.