In 2018 I wrote a thesis on Discipline based and choice based learning.
Through action research, I strove to discover which teaching approach supported all of my student’s needs, increased their intrinsic motivations for making artwork, and allowed students to take true ownership over their own learning by producing artwork.
I found that students need a blend of BOTH styles.
I incorporate Discipline Based and Choice Based/ Project-based learning 50/50 in my classroom. The younger students receive more Direct Instruction (DB) to learn skills and art history. By the time my students get into the 3rd and 4th grade I incorporate choice based learning which promotes students learning and the development of artistic behaviors.
Artist inspired creative habits and artistic behaviors are:
Find an idea
Select materials to express the idea
Arrange those materials plus tools in a workspace
Pace themselves
Create the image or structure
Overcome obstacles
Return materials and tools to their proper location
Discuss artwork and reflect on progress (journal)
These artist inspired habits stem from the 8 Studio Habits of the Mind (Hetland, Winner, Veenema, Sheridan, 2013) which are:
Develop craft
Engage and persist
Envision
Express
Observe
Reflect
Stretch and explore
Understand the art world
I am a strong believer in students' self-assessing to really understand what they are learning and to be honest about the quality of work they are producing.