Brooke Mathews

Professor Ward
Art 133
March 20, 2016
Unit 4 Paper
Unit 4 included the Big Idea of Play and associated it with the 21st Century Art Ed
Approaches of Choice Based and Learner Directed. Freyermuth (2012) introduced the concept of
choice based and learner directed as teaching that releases control and creates a more natural
classroom environment. Children experience and learn about art through discovery of methods,
materials, and concepts. The student-teacher relationship is collaborative, rather than instructive,
and empowers learners. Pink (2006) emphasizes the importance of Play as a Big Idea in all
aspects of education and divides it into three parts: games, humor, and joyfulness. Through these,
students investigate deeper, increase empathetic perceptions, understand and deconstruct
incongruities, and experience a greater level of creativity, productivity, and collaboration.
Through these 21st Century Art Ed Approaches and this Big Idea, teachers are
encouraged to take on the role of scaffolder, rather than instructor. Instead of introducing a
concept or project, teachers can simply provide an assortment of materials and let the students
use them to create meaningful projects of their own device. Acting as a scaffolder, teachers may
approach students to ask questions and encourage deep thinking. The instructor must also be
available to answer the questions of students about different art materials, methods, or concepts.
Through the wide use of materials and open-ended discoveries, students can understand the
importance of education through play.
References
Freyermuth, V.K. (2012). One art teachers search for a holistic approach. In L.H. Campbell &
S. Simmons III (Eds.), The heart of education: Holistic approaches (pp. 266-269).
Reston, VA: National Art Education Association.
Pink, D. (2006). A whole new mind: Why right-brainers will rule the future. New York, NY: The
Berkeley Group.