Camille Lopez

Art 133
October 19th, 2017
Unit Paper 4

The big idea of play, is the engagement and enjoyment of creative, fun activities. The

21st century art education approach, implements play by the development of choice-based and

learner directed study. Choice-based and learner directed skills, are formed through independent

exploration, experiences, and investigation. Childrens joyful playing is a means for

investigating the world, and a way to begin shaping creative responses to it (Szekely, 2011, p.

139). Educators use practice-based theory to apply, more teacher monitoring, less teacher lesson

involvement; in order to enhance student responsibility. Some schools will present challenges to

art instruction; even in difficult circumstances choice-based instruction, offer effective solutions

(Douglas & Jaquith, 2009, p. 19). Educators that use the approach of choice-based and learner

directed skills, provide a system easily accessible for students to expand playful thinking. This

includes; preparation of art materials, examples of artwork related to what is familiar and what is

not, and encourage students to be curious, creative as well as personal.

The approach of choice-based learning and learner directed, will be integrated in my art

education class as a future special needs teacher, of grade level four. It is important to point out,

that choice-based and learner directed approach incorporates previous skills such as; basic

drawing classes, painting, coloring, etc. I believe as an educator, it is important to acknowledge

previous work, assuming I have completed teacher directed art lessons, as well as provide

examples for the class in order for students to create something meaningful to them. I would use

the lesson of Play in Nature. I would provide visual examples of artists who use play in nature.

As a class, I would have the students who were capable, to work in one area outside and create a

large play in nature piece together. Those who could not work outside, I would provide nature
materials for them and have a large desk outside to provide the opportunity for outside

exploration in consideration. I would then monitor students, and help students solely when

needed.
 References

Douglas, K. M. & Jaquith, D. B. (2009). Engaging learners through artmaking: Choice-based

art education in the classroom (p.19). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Szekely, G. (2011). Testing the world through play and art. In D. B. Jaquith & N. E. Hathaway

(Eds.) The learner directed classroom: Developing creative thinking skills through art

(p.139). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.