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Lisa Mazzola, Larissa Raphael, and Francis Estrada

Explore how to integrate works of art into your classroom with inquiry-based teaching methods used by museum educators.

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Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to Inquiry | Why Engage in Inquiry Around Art?
Welcome to Art and Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies For Your Classroom. This course will introduce ways to integrate works of art into your classroom by using inquiry-based teaching methods commonly used in museum settings. This course is designed to give you the tools to create meaningful object-based learning activities that can be integrated into a wide variety of curricula. The strategies this course covers emphasize literacy and critical thinking skills across disciplines.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces methods from museum educators to engage students with art
Focuses on developing literacy and critical thinking skills
Provides activities and resources for integrating art into curricula
Emphasizes social emotional learning to enhance students' self-awareness
Instructors are experienced museum educators
May be useful for educators seeking new approaches to art integration

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Reviews summary

Museum teaching strategies for educators

According to learners, this course offers valuable and practical teaching strategies rooted in museum education, particularly emphasizing inquiry-based learning and close looking at art. Students find the methods presented to be highly applicable to their own classrooms and various subject areas, not just art. Many highlight the quality of the content provided by The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and appreciate the opportunity to learn from museum educators. The focus on integrating art across the curriculum and developing students' critical thinking and social-emotional skills is frequently mentioned as a significant strength. While the course is generally well-received, some reviewers note that it serves primarily as an introduction and may not delve deeply enough for those seeking advanced pedagogy.
Serves as a foundational overview.
"This course is a solid introduction to using art inquiry, but don't expect deep dives into complex pedagogical theories."
"It provided a good overview of the techniques, making it great for beginners or those new to this approach."
"For experienced educators already using inquiry, some parts might feel like review, but still valuable."
"The course is well-structured for someone just starting to explore these teaching methods."
Methods foster analytical student skills.
"The methods taught really help students develop critical thinking and observation skills."
"I've seen a difference in my students' ability to analyze and discuss complex ideas after applying these strategies."
"The course effectively demonstrates how art can be a powerful tool for cognitive development."
"Encouraging close looking promotes deeper analysis and interpretation by students."
Content provided by The Museum of Modern Art.
"Learning from MoMA educators and seeing their approach was a major highlight of this course."
"The quality of the videos and materials provided by MoMA is excellent."
"It felt special to be learning these techniques from such a renowned institution."
"The connection to MoMA gave the content significant credibility and depth."
Strategies extend beyond art class.
"These strategies are not just for art teachers; they are highly relevant for integrating art into science, ELA, and social studies."
"I can see how to use these techniques to enhance learning in non-art subjects, which is incredibly valuable."
"The course successfully showed how to make connections across different subject areas using art as a catalyst."
"It provided great ideas for interdisciplinary teaching using museum resources and methods."
Emphasizes effective art observation techniques.
"The focus on inquiry-based learning and close looking transformed how I view using art in education."
"The course does an excellent job demonstrating how to facilitate meaningful conversations around artwork using inquiry."
"Understanding 'close looking' has significantly improved my ability to use visual arts in my lessons."
"I appreciated the in-depth look at inquiry methods specifically applied to viewing art."
Provides concrete methods for classroom use.
"The course presents valuable strategies for engaging students with art through inquiry that I can immediately apply in my classroom."
"I found the teaching strategies very practical and adaptable to various age groups and subjects."
"The close looking and inquiry methods provided excellent tools for enhancing classroom discussions and critical thinking."
"Learned practical methods for incorporating museum approaches into my daily teaching."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies For Your Classroom with these activities:
Read 'Using Art to Educate' by Donna Keyes
Review essential concepts from the recommended book to prepare foundation for integrating art-based learning into your classroom.
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow a copy of the book.
  • Read the chapters on art integration and inquiry-based learning.
  • Take notes on key concepts and strategies.
Read 'The Art of Teaching with Picture Books' by Mary Ann Kohl
Explore the use of picture books as a tool for teaching across the curriculum, providing strategies and examples for engaging students in inquiry and critical thinking.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read the chapters that focus on using picture books to promote inquiry and critical thinking.
  • Identify strategies and activities that you can implement in your own teaching.
Take a Course on Museum Education
Enroll in an online course or workshop on museum education to gain specialized knowledge and best practices in integrating art into educational settings.
Browse courses on Museum Education
Show steps
  • Research different online courses or workshops on museum education.
  • Enroll in a course that aligns with your interests and learning goals.
  • Actively participate in the course and complete all assignments.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Join an Online Community of Art Educators
Connect with other art educators online to share ideas, resources, and best practices, fostering collaboration and professional growth in the field of art education.
Show steps
  • Search for online communities or forums dedicated to art education.
  • Join the community and introduce yourself.
  • Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your own experiences.
Close Looking and Inquiry Practice
Practice facilitating close looking and engaging students in open-ended inquiry around artworks to enhance their observation and critical thinking skills.
Show steps
  • Collect a variety of images or artwork.
  • Practice asking open-ended questions that encourage students to observe and discuss the artwork.
  • Record your observations and questions.
Create a Collection of Inquiry-Based Resources
Gather and organize a collection of high-quality resources, including lesson plans, websites, and articles, that support inquiry-based learning and the integration of art in education.
Browse courses on Art Education
Show steps
  • Conduct research to identify relevant resources.
  • Evaluate resources for quality and alignment with inquiry-based principles.
  • Organize the resources into a user-friendly format (e.g., Google Drive folder, website).
Inquiry-Based Lesson Plan
Create an inquiry-based lesson plan that incorporates an artwork and aligns with your curriculum to enhance student engagement and learning.
Browse courses on Lesson Planning
Show steps
  • Select an artwork that is relevant to your curriculum.
  • Develop open-ended questions and activities that encourage inquiry.
  • Plan for assessment strategies that evaluate students' critical thinking and understanding.
Create a Student Workbook for Inquiry-Based Learning
Design and develop a student workbook that guides students through the process of inquiry-based learning around art, providing them with structured activities and resources.
Browse courses on Inquiry-Based Learning
Show steps
  • Determine the specific learning objectives for the workbook.
  • Create activities and exercises that promote close looking, open-ended inquiry, and critical thinking.
  • Include sections for student reflection and documentation of their learning.

Career center

Learners who complete Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies For Your Classroom will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Museum Educator
Museum Educators are responsible for teaching visitors about the museum's collection. They may lead tours, give lectures, or develop educational programs. Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom can be very helpful for this role by providing tools to create meaningful object-based learning activities that can be integrated into a wide variety of curricula. The course also covers how to facilitate close looking with students by engaging in open-ended, inquiry-based conversation around works of art.
Art teacher
Art Teachers help students develop their artistic skills and knowledge. They may teach a variety of art forms, such as painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography. Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom can be useful for this role by providing methods for integrating works of art into the classroom and making connections to different subject areas, including Social Studies, English Language Arts, and Science.
Curator
Curators are responsible for managing and preserving museum collections. Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom may be helpful for this role by providing a deeper understanding of how to engage visitors with museum collections.
Librarian
Librarians help people find and use information. They may work in a variety of settings, such as public libraries, school libraries, and academic libraries. Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom may be helpful for this role by providing strategies for teaching and learning that can be used in a library setting.
Archivist
Archivists are responsible for preserving and managing historical records. Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom may be helpful for this role by providing an understanding of how to engage visitors with historical artifacts.
Historian
Historians study the past and write about it. Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom may be helpful for this role by providing an understanding of how to engage visitors with historical artifacts.
Anthropologist
Anthropologists study human societies and cultures. Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom may be helpful for this role by providing an understanding of how to engage visitors with cultural artifacts.
Archaeologist
Archaeologists study the past by excavating and analyzing artifacts. Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom may be helpful for this role by providing an understanding of how to engage visitors with archaeological artifacts.
Museum Director
Museum Directors are responsible for managing all aspects of a museum's operations, including its educational programs, exhibitions, and collections. Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom may be helpful for this role by providing tools and strategies for creating engaging and meaningful museum experiences.
Art Critic
Art Critics write about art and offer their opinions on its quality and value. Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom may be helpful for this role by providing a deeper understanding of how to analyze and interpret works of art.
Art dealer
Art Dealers buy and sell works of art. Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom may be helpful for this role by providing a deeper understanding of how to evaluate and price works of art.
Art Collector
Art Collectors buy and own works of art. Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom may be helpful for this role by providing a deeper understanding of how to evaluate and appreciate works of art.
Art historian
Art Historians study the history of art and write about it. Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom may be helpful for this role by providing a deeper understanding of how to analyze and interpret works of art.
Graphic designer
Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom may be helpful for this role by providing a deeper understanding of how to create visually appealing designs.
Photographer
Photographers create and capture images using a camera. Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom may be helpful for this role by providing a deeper understanding of how to compose and capture visually appealing images.

Featured in The Course Notes

This course is mentioned in our blog, The Course Notes. Read two articles that feature Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies For Your Classroom:

Reading list

We've selected 16 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies For Your Classroom.
Commonly used as a textbook for courses on museum education and teaching with works of art, this book covers a range of strategies and best practices for teaching about art and using works of art. It is helpful both as a foundational tool and as a more advanced reference as this book provides a broad survey of the field.
A collection of essays that explore the role of objects in different cultures and historical periods, this book would be a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the significance of objects in museum collections.
A comprehensive overview of the role of art museums in education, this book would be a useful resource for those seeking to understand the different ways in which museums can be used to teach and engage with learners.
A classic work on reflective practice, this book would be a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the importance of critical reflection in teaching and learning in the museum context.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of art history from prehistoric times to the present day. It includes a wide range of art forms and cultures, offering a global perspective.
An examination of the power of questioning in the classroom and how it can be used to foster critical thinking, this book would be a useful resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of inquiry-based learning.
A practical guide to using dialogue to improve student learning, this book would be a valuable resource for those seeking to promote inquiry-based learning and student engagement in the museum teaching context.
Provides a framework for asking essential questions that promote critical thinking and inquiry, which would be valuable for museum educators seeking to facilitate deeper engagement with works of art.
A practical guide to collaborative learning in the classroom, this book would be a useful resource for those seeking to promote inquiry-based learning and student engagement in the museum teaching context.
Offers specific strategies educators can use to facilitate close looking at art. It provides insightful questions educators can ask students about artwork to promote close looking and discussion.
Although not specifically about museum teaching, this critical introduction to art education can provide a useful background for more specialized courses on the subject.
Provides a comprehensive overview of art education, covering its history, theories, and practical applications, with a focus on fostering creativity and critical thinking.
Serves as a resource for educators seeking to understand the role of art museums. It provides insights into museum collections, exhibitions, and educational programs.
Provides practical guidance for museum educators, covering techniques for facilitating discussions, engaging visitors, and creating meaningful learning experiences.
This collection of essays critically examines the politics and poetics of museum display, exploring how cultural artifacts are presented and interpreted.
Emphasizes the significance of art and imaginative play for children's learning. It provides creative tips for parents and educators and suggests different art activities to foster creativity.

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