Curious Minds

Understanding how studying the arts supports independent learning

De La Salle School in St Helens, (we have had two De La Salle schools working with Curious Minds - One in Liverpool and this school situated in St Helens), identified their Art and Design department as successful in creating independent learners. The school valued this skill and wanted to understand how they could spread good practice throughout the school. Working with Curious Minds practitioners Akil Morgan and Robert Meadows, an observational framework was developed.  

Information gathered revealed that the Art and Design Departments belief in building relationships, inspiration and challenge enabled learner's independence. Through the observations teachers could articulate and understand what they did better.  This good practice was then disseminated to other departments, Maths being the first. Teachers involved in the project found the process extremely useful, it provided a chance to be self critical but also to act on their concerns, ideas and motivations. 

Below we have some tips on how to use this process:

OBSERVING SESSIONS

Questions to bear in mind when observing.

Challenge - Learning: 

What are the challenges for the pupils?

At what points are the pupils challenged?

Who is challenging who? Are pupils overcoming personal challenge? How?

Inspiration - Teaching

What is the inspiration and what part does it play in the lesson?

Is the teacher the inspiration?

Is it external?

Is it another pupils work? What is the purpose of the inspiration?

Is the inspiration re-enforcing key elements that are not directly related to the lessons objectives?

Imagination - Creativity

Where are pupils using their imagination and exploring (with techniques, materials, skills, communication, etc,)?

Are the pupils applying this to their work?