Graduate research study
The ARTreach group was part of a 2013-14 University of Florida
graduate research study conducted by the club sponsor,
Mr. Stan Dodson. The following page presents the findings from the study.
“When we define the curriculum, we are also defining the opportunities the
young will have to experience different forms of consciousness.”
- Elliot Eisner
In constructing this service-learning group curriculum I have established a platform for students to construct meaning based on experiences and in turn focus process-inquiry, experiences,
and meaning making in developing a well-rounded human being.
Purpose and Goals of the Study
The purpose of my research is to examine how students can use civic engagement as a catalyst to develop a deeper understanding of identity while fostering compassion and empathy. As a means to develop and explore a pedagogy that promotes art with a social purpose I organized an after-school art club with a mission to serve others through art-making. The group called, ARTreach was the focus of the research study and assisted in answering my main research question.
The purpose of my research is to examine how students can use civic engagement as a catalyst to develop a deeper understanding of identity while fostering compassion and empathy. As a means to develop and explore a pedagogy that promotes art with a social purpose I organized an after-school art club with a mission to serve others through art-making. The group called, ARTreach was the focus of the research study and assisted in answering my main research question.
ARTreach_Research.pdf | |
File Size: | 2289 kb |
File Type: |
Service-learning encourages...
Unity
"No longer were we thinking about special needs but instead we focused on how common we were. Our conversations paralleled each other’s as we learned about family, school, and personal interest. We got lost in the making of the artwork and forgot about the centers function-as a resource for special needs" - Club member Rachael |
A Sense of Purpose
"Every person requires the same basic needs, such as companionship, acceptance, and acknowledgement. By working with the children on the bottle top murals, I was able to see how happy they were to have someone spend the time to help them create something. It really showed how much of an impact that art can have on others." -Club member Claire |
Growth
These projects have helped me understand myself more in depth. By working on these projects I have been able to get a better grip on what I want my goals in life to be and what I’d like to accomplish for myself throughout the rest of high school and life. These projects have taught me how to understand myself better and grow into a more compassionate person. -Club member Allison |
Connections
"The labyrinth and bottle cap murals have been great experiences to me because the people at the Episcopal Church and Center for New Beginnings were so kind and caring and they were so happy when they saw what we all created for them." -Club member Claire |
Enjoyment
"Participating in the creation of both the labyrinth and the bottle top mural, has expanded my perspective and allowed me to see the joy that comes with serving others. There are few feelings better than the sense of accomplishment and oneness with community that is gained through creating a lasting and purposeful piece, such as the labyrinth, for one’s community." -Club member Regina |
Summary Across all Findings
Looking back over the Capstone project I have realized what an influential and powerful topic I chose to embed into the art club. I observed empathetic behaviors in action through collaborations with peers and community members. I documented enormous growth through leadership, and collaborations as students came to understand their own identity in relationship to overarching ideas. Students have helped define empathy through their actions and modeled behavior. While not all members exhibited transformed behaviors or characteristics an overwhelming number demonstrated a stronger sense of compassion and empathy for self, peers, and community.
Looking back over the Capstone project I have realized what an influential and powerful topic I chose to embed into the art club. I observed empathetic behaviors in action through collaborations with peers and community members. I documented enormous growth through leadership, and collaborations as students came to understand their own identity in relationship to overarching ideas. Students have helped define empathy through their actions and modeled behavior. While not all members exhibited transformed behaviors or characteristics an overwhelming number demonstrated a stronger sense of compassion and empathy for self, peers, and community.
"This is, perhaps, the largest lesson that the arts in education can teach,
the lesson that life itself can be led as a work of art. In doing, the maker himself or herself is remade.
The remaking, this re-creation is at the heart of the process of education."
- Elliot Eisner.