1/31/19 Critical Reflection

          The thesis I picked up from watching this video was that students are capable of adapting to the unknown, whether this be the unknown of a new medium, concept, process, etc. and can create greater meaning in their works on their own and with the aid of teachers. This was mainly supported through the testimonies of the presenting educators and the stories they recalled along with the photos they used to supplement their cases. I found this to be important for art teachers as these stories could inspire new was to interact with students and their arts while also fostering more personal connections between student and teacher. Connections which are vital to help students express their thoughts fully and for teachers to offer the best advice they can give. The concerns that arose for me while watching were somewhat discussed in that these situations have to work in tandem with the regulations placed upon teachers anyways. Along with this, I just worry that some of these examples may not be too useful depending on the area surrounding the school, but the suggestions are broad enough for unique ideas to sprout up as well.
          This thesis is prevalent to me in the way that I can take note of how to foster closer connections with my students through not only discussions but also through embedded pieces in the curriculum. Both of these can help inspire more personal pieces to be made and can all students to find what they like the most in their art making. Overall, I found the stories presented fascinating as many showcased the sheer creativity lying dormant in kids that many people, even art educators, overlook.


Class Question:
Which of the works provided stood out to you the most? Why?
Did any of the stories or methods shown remind you of your art teachers growing up? If so, how?