Cathy Smilan

Exploration of current models of practice for art educators in classroom and community settings. This course guides students through the translation of reserach into strategies for teaching practice. Teacher-artists research and desgin pedagogical approaches to teaching art and managing artistic learning spaces, including PK-12 classroom studios, museum education venues and communnity art eduction maker-spaces. Students individually and collaboratively discuss current readings on teaching art and create models of practices as an art eductor resource. Course content additionally serves as a spring-board for further inveistigation in AED 616: Action Research.
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Development of curriculum units in the visual arts applicable to educational settings in public schools as well as other selected institutions. From a basis in understanding the broad goals of art education, students plan appropriate learning experiences. Curricula will be designed based upon traditional concepts and principles of art in a context of human development, physical and social environment, and aesthetics. Students learn to define overarching concepts, developing lessons that are standards-based and content specific. Students work both independently and collaboratively to construct a conceptually based curriculum using the "backward design" model in which assessment criteria guides the development of learning activities. In accordance with the recommendations of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, students seeking teaching certification in either PreK-8 or 5-12 will have readings and field practicum specifically for the intended age range. Fifteen practicum hours required outside of class.
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Development and implementation of a capstone project demonstrating mastery in an area of individual focus in art education. In this course, students will develop and submit a proposal, and once approved, implement their area of study. Projects may include visual inquiry and exhibit, theoretical paper or practice-based work in school or community settings.
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