Education is changing in the world today at an alarming rate, so rapidly, it has become difficult for educators to keep up with the demands of social media and the informational world we now live in. Subject matter, and the technology behind it, is increasingly becoming obsolete before a student ends his school term or general education.

While a student must learn to read and write, as their core methodology, they lack  “visual literacy” in our increasingly graphic world. According to Yankelvich Research (later quoted by the NY Times), the average person sees in the range from 3,000 to 20,000 marketing messages per day. These are extreme numbers of course with some studies showing that we actually absorb a more realistic range of 300 or so. Needless to say, we are becoming an increasingly visual communicative world. Social media has confronted us with how we teach using past educational models.

Students today, in preparing themselves for the working environment, or to reach their maximum potential, need to not only be literate in their reading and writing skills, but they need to better understand how to “read” the symbolic visual world around them. This includes the skills to present their own visual communications in an ever increasingly visual environment. The familiar adage that a picture is worth a thousand words holds more ground now than ever.

In my art/photography classes my first goal is to teach the visual Elements of Art and Principals of Design. These concepts are the building blocks of all design, both in 2D and 3D (two and three dimensional) forms of visual expression. All together, they are the cornerstones of all visual communication.

My classes are designed around Blooms Taxonomy in which the student moves from Knowledge/Remembering to Comprehension/Understanding, on to Application, then Analysis, Evaluation and finally to Synthesis or Creating. The teaching of art as a studio exercise where students are required to produce an artworks is unique in that it requires the student to move through all the domains to achieve the goal. Evaluation takes place before or after the last domain of Synthesis.

Different teaching modalities are used in the process to address different learning styles presented in a classroom population. Audio-visual techniques are employed, along with structured reading assignments. Inquiry learning is one of the core techniques used in evaluation, along with constructionist theories in designing and executing the artworks. In some cases, such as designing a mural or group artwork, or in learning a particular concept, collaborative learning processes are employed.

Evaluation and grading is based on a visual rubric, which requires a certain number of elements of art or principals of design to be met. This approach makes for a safer environment for students to engage in the creative process, thus helping to eliminate the urge to compete or feel inferior. There are different skill levels apparent in the end result of artworks. Many students will have higher skill levels learned from inherent skills, prodding and training from their parents or personal interest. Therefore, it’s important that evaluation is based on learning the concepts and not how “good” the artwork appears.

This is important, as all too often classroom management problems come from a student who has low self-esteem and lack of confidence; they will do anything not to embarrass themselves. It took me a while as an art teacher to understand this is why some students often act out and disrespect others in the creative process.

In regards to classroom management, my classrooms rules are built upon the concept of mutual respect for each other. Classroom engagement is designed to have all students participate and be fully appreciated and respected. My approach to a student over any problem is on an individual level, and with contact with the parents if need be. Seldom have I had to employ the latter. As a team player and part of an educational institution, my classroom management rules are easily implemented into any school discipline procedures.

Teaching demands the outmost in commitment, how else can a good teacher reach the many different kinds of students today, especially in an international setting? In all the years I’ve taught, I can honestly say I’ve learned as much from my students, as I’ve taught them. They have taught me humility, how to better communicate and to better understand personal and cultural differences.