We recognize that there are many varied ways of offering choice
in art
education, and that many art educators do so in varying degrees
depending upon their particular art programs and district
requirements. The listserv (TAB-ChoiceArtEd Yahoo Group)
supports
teachers who are developing, have developed or plan to develop
an art
program with the purpose of providing students maximum choices
in
their art making experiences in the classroom. We've
noticed that the
terms "Choice-based," "Teaching for Artistic
Behavior," "TAB," and
"Centers approach" are often interchanged. In response
to a request
for clarification of the terms, here are some definitions that
we use
in our teaching.
CHOICE-BASED ART EDUCATION regards students as artists and
offers them real choices for responding to their own ideas and interests
through
the making of art. This concept supports multiple modes of
learning
and teaching for the diverse needs of students. In the learning
environment, resources and opportunities to construct knowledge
and
meaning in the process of making art are provided. Choice-Based
Art
Education utilizes multiple forms of assessment to support
student and
teacher growth.
If you offer your students full choice most of the time, then
you are
a choice-based art educator.
THE TEACHING FOR ARTISTIC BEHAVIOR PARTNERSHIP (TAB) is an
organization that brings together choice-based art programs from
around the United States. The concept emerged over 30 years ago
in
Massachusetts classrooms through the need for more authentic art
making experiences. United through Massachusetts College of Art
(MCA),
teachers working in isolation discovered others who also held
belief
in the child as the artist. With the support of MCA, NAEA and
The
Education Alliance at Brown University, the Teaching
for Artistic Behavior Partnership (TAB) was formed in 2001.
Since
then, TAB has become a visible presence online, at NAEA
conferences,
and at regional gatherings.
All choice-based art educators are welcome as members of the
Teaching
for Artistic Behavior Partnership. As a member of TAB, you are
likely
a choice-based art educator, or friend of choice-based art
education.
A CENTERS APPROACH reflects the learning environment, with
different
learning centers set up in the classroom. Commonly seen in
primary
classrooms, centers offer students a focused learning
experience. Most
choice-based art programs offer separate media centers, such as
painting, clay, printmaking, etc. These centers function as mini
art
studios, complete with instructional information printed on
menus,
resources, materials and tools. Students move independently
between
centers, utilizing materials, tools and resources as needed in
their
art making.
Centers refer to the learning environment, and are not a
methodology.
You cannot be a "centers-based" educator, but you can
be a
choice-based educator who provides centers in your classroom.
[RETURN
TO RESOURCES FOR CHOICE BASED ART EDUCATION]
