Concept by Marta Mandolini
Description
The course takes a multidisciplinary approach to art psychology, introducing participants to different ways of understanding and teaching arts, dealing with the students’ creative process and taking the best of the positive impact of art-related activities on our wellbeing. It is based on a broad understanding of art and creativity across the lifespan and will draw on work in several disciplinary areas such as neuropsychology, pedagogy and sociology, to consider creativity at different ages and in different contexts and specifically to consider the artistic phenomenon as a combination of perspectives and situations (artist, viewer, artwork).
Participants will be involved in an active learning process, also focusing on personal experience and self-expression, combining cognitive and emotional elements to make the learning process easier and ensure long-lasting retention of the new knowledge.
By the end of the course teachers will learn how to combine art theory and practice in a productive way, to actively maintain students’ attention and motivation throughout the creative class and process, including: art production, art communication, preparing and visiting an art exhibition. They will also be invited to improve their own creative attitude though a simple series of group and individual exercises that stimulate lateral thinking.
Learning Outcomes
The course will help the participants to:
- Make use of art and psychology of art theory and practice in a productive way;
- Understand and consider different ways of interpreting and teaching creatively;
- Actively maintain students’ attention and motivation throughout a creative class and learning process;
- Improve creative attitude and stimulate lateral thinking through group and individual exercises.
Tentative Schedule
The schedule describes likely activities but may differ significantly based on the requests of the participants, and the trainer delivering the specific session. Course modifications are subject to the trainer’s discretion. If you would like to discuss a specific topic, please indicate it at least 4 weeks in advance.
Day 1 – Course introduction & Art education
Course introduction
- Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities.
- Icebreaker activities.
- Presentations of the participants’ schools.
Art education
- Foundation in Art Psychology.
- The artistic phenomenon (artist, viewer, artwork) and its relevant impact in art education and participation.
- Slides presentation, case histories and individual practical activities.
Day 2 – Art, in the classroom and beyond
- Brain, Art, Society.
- A multidisciplinary approach to art pedagogy.
- Well-being and Life-Skills development through art practices.
- The creative process during the Life Span.
- Group discussion and focus group.
Day 3 – Art and communication
- Teachers’ lateral thinking.
- Let’s exercise our creative attitude to best communicate with students!.
Day 4 – Active art
- Hands-on work.
- Understanding and enjoying art in the classroom – art production, history, management.
- Role play/simulation by course members.
- How to actively maintain students’ attention and motivation.
Day 5 – Art outside the classroom & Course closure
- Hands on work.
- Understanding and enjoying art out of the classroom – visiting or organizing art exhibitions. Role play/simulation by course members. How to actively maintain students’ attention and motivation. (This lesson will be held outside the classroom).
Day 6 – Course closure & Excursion
Course closure
- Course evaluation: round up of acquired competences, feedback, and discussion;
- Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance.
Cultural activities
- Excursion and other external cultural activities.
Audience
- Teachers: primary, secondary, vocational, adult, special needs;
- Teacher trainers;
- Headteachers;
- Principals;
- Managers of schools.
Before the course, 