Bahaviorism, cognitivism and social constructionism learning theorys are all present through out our educational system. Prior to studying these learning theories, I was unaware of how theses theories could be used in an art classroom. I now see that theses theories have always be present in the art classroom and how I can continue to implement them in daily art activities.

Behaviorism focuses learning on repetition, memorization and application. The idea of drill and skill is present within art history lessons. By having students research and study on a specific artist,style or movement and then having themn creat an original work of art that is inspired by by their findings, the behaviorist theory is put in to action. They will not only gain the inital information you are putting forth but also learning to put forth that information into other aspects of their art work. By applying and reappling this information there is a better chance that the students will retain their new found knowledge on a long term basis.

Cognitivism presents the use of teacher and student aids as a form to repetition for the learner. Aides such as powerpoints and worksheets are often used in the art classroom not only during art history but also to introduce new lessons, processes, techniques and materials. These aides allow students to refer back to the new information as a form of reference material, as well as a form of repetition. When students have visual materials avaliable that can be used outside of the classroom, they will be more apt to look over the information at a time and in a place that is comfortable for them, which will increase their scores and retention of knowledge.

Social constructivism is a learning theory that I feel is obviously present within the art classroom. Not only does constructivism apply hands on technology in order to give students the opportunity to learn material at various paces and levels; constructivism also allows opportunities for students to gain social interaction skills, such as communication, comprimise and responsability. These social interaction skills can be used in other content areas as well as in life beyond school. Web quest are a great way to get students motivated in new material, give the continuous access to material for use as reference and allows them to work at a more individualized pace. They are also great for giving the students opportunities to work in groups on cooperative and collaborative assignments, which is the best way to introduce these social interaction skills.

These learning theories are present in all content areas weather we initially realize it or not. I feel that it is important to implement all three of the theories in some form or another in the everyday classroom.

Social Constructivism

As teachers we want our students to learn the curriculum but also want them to walk away with something more at the end of the year. By incorporating the social constructivist theories we enable our students to prosper in both academic and social learning. breaking students into unfamiliar groups gives them the opportunity to meet new people, learn to communicate, compromise and work with others that they normally would have little to no interaction with. It also provides students with the chance to show motivation and responsibility by completing tasks and working with a group. While also learning to problem solve and bounce ideas off of one another in order to find the best solutions and outcomes.

By incorporating technology we give students the chance to not only work with those in their own school and community but also with others from various schools, communities and walks of life. This is something else that students will need to be familiar with in the world outside of your classroom and school in general. Technology also gives the students the ability to earn a sense of Independence, by being able to complete task, review assignments and grades, as well as communicate with classmates during collaborative assignments.

By creating web quest and reviewing the web quest of my peers I have found that it can be very beneficial to create these, especially with group assignments. It allows the students to utilize all the elements of the social constructivist theory as well as responsibility and collaboration within a group setting.

Cognitive Learning Theory

I feel that the Cognitive Theory is extremely useful in the Art Classroom. Teacher aids, such as PowerPoint presentations can be used in the Art classroom to introduce a unit or the history behind a unit or even to show students a visual of various art processes and procedures. By including this visual element, you are more likely to catch the student’s attention and build motivation for an upcoming unit or assignment. Using technology to include student aids is a great way to get students motivated. It is also a way to give the students a tool or outside resource to use in order to gain a better understanding of an assignment, process or procedure.

The visual elements and graphic organizers can be helpful to both the student and the teacher. The student will be able to use the graphic organizers, worksheets, etc… to study, reference, and elaborate on certain topics of interest. The teacher will be giving the students these tools, to increase their motivation and can also use these graphic organizers and worksheets as an assessment tool. This gives the teacher a hard copy, proof of the students work and progress. Also if students have to miss class these PowerPoints, organizers and worksheets can give absent students the opportunity to review and complete the information that they missed, without the teacher having to take out as much time to re-explain or re-teach the information.

Even though the Cognitive Learning Theory, to me, has an obvious place in art; after reviewing my peers lesson plans, student & teacher aids I can see how this theory can be very useful in a variety of subject areas and age groups.

Bhaviorist Learning Theory

I have studied the Behaviorist Learning theory throughout my Art education course work, but have never tried to apply the knowledge, to the art classroom. I have always felt that art was primarily based on application and hands-on experience not the practice of the knowledge behind the methods.

After reviewing my peers lesson plans I can see that the Behaviorist theory is necessary in many content areas, things like the 'drill and skill' method is a must when it comes to math. I have never before thought about how much repetition, memorization and application was involved in math. After this realization and creating an art lesson plan, I found that there is a place for the behaviorist theory in the art classroom and I have been using it in one way or another all along.

By having students view works or videos of famous artist, time periods or even processes and then having them create works inspired by those methods, I am implementing the behaviorist theory. Yes, it is a more hands-on approach to the theory but none the less the students gain knowledge and repeatedly apply it, which is much like the 'drill and skill' method used in math.

The behaviorist theory is harder to see in the art classroom, but I now believe that it is being applied rather we realize it or not.

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