Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies For Your Classroom

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/artinquiry

Introduction

### Course Review: Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies For Your Classroom on Coursera In an age where creative teaching methods play a critical role in student engagement and learning outcomes, Coursera’s course titled **Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies For Your Classroom** presents an innovative approach to integrating art into educational curricula. This course has been meticulously designed for educators looking to enhance their teaching toolkit with inquiry-based strategies that not only foster critical thinking but also cultivate a deeper appreciation for art among students. #### Course Overview The course offers a comprehensive exploration of how to effectively use works of art as tools for inquiry-based learning. With a focus on creating meaningful object-based learning experiences, educators can expect to gain valuable skills that can be applied across numerous subjects. This course stands out as it emphasizes literacy and critical thinking skills, which are essential in a diverse educational landscape. #### Syllabus Breakdown - **Module 1: Introduction to Inquiry | Why Engage in Inquiry Around Art?** The course kicks off by introducing the fundamental concepts of inquiry-based teaching and the importance of art in education. Participants will learn how to develop object-based learning activities that connect well with various curricula, setting a solid foundation for what is to come. - **Module 2: Close Looking and Open-Ended Inquiry** In this module, educators will delve into "close looking" – a technique encouraging students to observe and engage with artworks deeply. By facilitating open-ended discussions around art, teachers can stimulate critical conversations that enhance analytical skills among students. - **Module 3: Art, Inquiry, and Social Emotional Learning** This compelling module bridges art with Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Educators will uncover how engaging with art can promote self-awareness, empathy, and deeper emotional connections, making learning a holistic experience for students. - **Module 4: Activities as Inquiry** Here, the focus shifts to practical applications. Educators can explore various activities that promote inquiry and discussion in the classroom. By employing interactive and collaborative learning methods, teachers can create a vibrant classroom atmosphere that encourages idea exchange and collective inquiry. - **Module 5: Putting it all Together | Making Connections Across Curriculum** The final module culminates in synthesizing what has been learned throughout the course. Educators will evaluate ways to weave inquiry-based art education into other subjects—such as Social Studies, English Language Arts, and Science—allowing for interdisciplinary learning and reinforcing the connections between art and broader educational themes. #### Why You Should Enroll 1. **Innovative Teaching Strategies:** This course equips educators with unique methods originated from museum settings that can revitalize traditional teaching approaches—perfect for those looking to inspire their students through the power of art. 2. **Enhanced Critical Thinking Skills:** The inquiry-based methods taught in this course promote critical analysis and creative thinking, which are vital skills in the 21st-century classroom. 3. **Professional Development:** Completing this course not only enhances your skills as an educator but also adds to your professional qualifications, making you more adept at fostering an engaging learning environment. 4. **Versatility Across Disciplines:** Whether you teach art, science, or language arts, the strategies you’ll learn are versatile and can be tailored to fit any subject area. 5. **Fostering Social Emotional Learning:** In today’s educational landscape, SEL is more important than ever. This course helps educators understand how to connect art to SEL, promoting mental and emotional well-being in students. ### Conclusion Overall, **Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies For Your Classroom** is a must-take course for educators passionate about integrating visual art into their teaching practice. With its holistic approach to inquiry-based education, emphasis on critical thinking, and commitment to social-emotional learning, this course offers invaluable insights that can transform classroom experiences. Don’t miss the opportunity to enrich your teaching methods while inspiring your students through the dynamic world of art!

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.

In this module you will explore different ways to facilitate close looking with your students by engaging in open-ended, inquiry-based conversation around works of art.

In this module, we will explore how art and Social Emotional Learning can deepen students’ attention, self-awareness, as well as their awareness of others.

This module focuses on activities as a mode of inquiry. In this module you’ll explore how to use three kinds of activities in your classroom to effectively promote an exchange of ideas with students.

In this module you will consider ways to incorporate inquiry about a work of art into your classroom and make connections to different subject areas including Social Studies, English Language Arts, and Science.