Philosophy of Teaching

Mark+Koven+Teaching+Philosphy+%e2%80%9cTwo+weaknesses+leaning+against+one+another+add+up+to+one+strength.%e2%80%9d+Leonardo+da+Vinci%2c+As+an+educator+for+more+than+fifteen+years%2c+I+have+come+to+view+teaching+as+more+than+the+dissemination+of+information+and+skills%2c+but+rather+an+ongoing+dialogue%2c+an+exchange+accomplished+through+varied+content+and+diverse+technique+where+both+student+and+instructor+learn+with+the+goal+to+produce+free+thinking+individuals+engaged+in+our+society.+As+artists+we+seek+to+examine+and+communicate+by+a+variety+of+methods.+This+process+of+examination+and+comment+on+our+selves+and+our+surroundings+covers+a+wide+range+of+issues+where+art+becomes+a+potent+tool.+My+students+learn+that+what+they+examine+and+how+they+solve+these+problems+of+communication+is+what+makes+the+artwork+theirs.+Utilizing+a+combination+of+traditional+pedagogy%2c+experiential+learning+and+cognitive+understanding+I+create+an+environment+to+foster+critical+thinking%2c+facilitate+the+acquisition+of+learning+skills%2c+develop+problem-solving+strategies+and+prepare+the+student+to+function+effectively+in+an+information+society.+At+the+same+time%2c+I+encourage+students+to+ask+questions%2c+examine+assumptions%2c+mine+their+personal+histories+and+explore+alternative+perspectives.+The+students+learn+what+it+is+to+be+an+artist%2c+allowing+them+to+be+better+prepared+to+communicate+their+ideas+through+an+informed+yet+intuitive+process.+This+process+and+exchange+is+mirrored+in+my+own+multidisciplinary+artwork+with+similar+dynamics+between+artist+and+viewer.+As+such%2c+my+teaching+fuels+my+artwork%2c+which+in+turn+informs+my+teaching+--+resulting+in+a+process+of+renewal+not+only+for+my+own+research+and+art+production+but+also+for+my+educational+techniques+and+students.+A+provision+for+the+social+aspect+of+education+and+expression+is+necessary+in+an+environment+for+artists.+The+classroom+must+be+an+environment+for+free+exchange+ideas+and+exercise+of+critical+analysis.+In+setting+up+group+discussions+and+activities%2c+such+as+critiques%2c+visiting+artists+and+group+assignments%2c+these+contribute+to+an+atmosphere+in+which+students+can+learn+not+only+from+me%2c+but+also+from+others+thereby+increasing+authority+over+their+own+learning+process.+Providing+feedback+(formative-during+course+and+summative-at+end)+is+imperative+in+the+arts+and+academic+setting.+Allocating+one+week+halfway+through+the+semester+for+individual+meetings+provides+further+feedback+for+the+student+and+myself.+During+critiques%2c+I+ask+students+to+scan+visually+and+describe+work+to+other+students+who+are+blindfolded+as+an+exercise+to+highlight+the+need+not+just+to+look+but+also+to+%e2%80%98see%e2%80%99+and+articulate+what+is+seen.+At+the+same+time+I+can+challenge+my+own+assumptions+about+the+classroom+and+make+any+adjustments+as+I+observe+and+participate.+These+characteristics+of+observation%2c+participation+and+perspective+weave+through+my+own+art+as+I+use+materials+and+techniques+to+alter+the+viewer%e2%80%99s+perspective+through+environment+(installation)+and+experience+(performance).+Students+learn+that+art+can+be+a+potent+tool+for+analysis+of+self+and+environment.+All+aspects+of+life+can+be+addressed+within+a+fine+art+context+where+art+is+a+vehicle+for+resurrecting+or+forming+thoughts+and+emotions.+Two+assignments+I+give+my+students%2c+visually+expressing+accepted+morals+within+our+culture+and+an+assignment+based+upon+a+child%e2%80%99s+sight%2c+address+these+concepts.+When+it+comes+to+production%2c+medium+can+convey+meaning%3b+therefore%2c+it+is+vital+for+students+to+understand+their+options+as+well+as+the+implications+of+their+choices.+Giving+assignments+that+require+combinations+of+media%2c+such+as+paint%2c+plaster+or+performance%2c+allows+for+the+student+to+experience+this+firsthand.+Viewing+art+of+others+also+speaks+towards+this+making+it+not+only+principal+to+provide+the+student+with+examples+of+artists+and+their+works+using+a+varied+approach+such+as+books%2c+media+presentations%2c+and+guest+lecturers%2c+it+is+also+critical+to+contextualize+and+instill+meaning+within+these+lessons.+My+personal+outlook+on+selecting+materials+in+art+is+consistent+with+my+teaching+philosophy+%e2%80%93+I+impart+the+knowledge+that+there+is+a+danger+in+using+materials+strictly+for+their+own+sake.+Instead%2c+material+should+be+tied+to+intention.+Through+a+comprehensive+teaching+process+the+student+needs+to+be+encouraged+to+discover+the+underlying+nature+of+a+topic%2c+problem%2c+or+vision+through+their+art.+Traditional+viewpoints+from+history+as+well+as+current+trends+and+theories+all+must+find+their+way+into+the+classroom.+Gaps%2c+incongruities%2c+or+disturbances+are+significant+tools+that+can+be+utilized+to+facilitate+learning+by+the+instructor.+Just+as+I+believe%2c+so+must+the+student+come+to+see+that+failure+should+not+be+viewed+as+a+waste+or+dead+end+but+as+an+exploration+and+a+possible+beginning.+Ultimately%2c+I+consider+the+instructor%e2%80%99s+role+is+to+guide+the+student+to+discover+his%2fher+own+way+of+seeing.+Within+this+structure+I+too+find+that+my+own+sight+is+often+improved+allowing+me+to+continue+my+growth+as+an+artist+and+instructor.%0d%0a%0d%0a%0c