Studio Thinking: The Real Benefits of Visual Arts Education [Paperback]

Lois Hetland (Author), Ellen Winner (Author), Shirley Veenema (Author), Kimberly M. Sheridan (Author), David N. Perkins (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0807748188 | ISBN-13: 978-0807748183

''Studio Thinking [is] a vision not only of learning in the arts but what could be learning most anywhere.'' -- From the Foreword by David N. Perkins, Professor of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Senior Co-Director of Harvard Project Zero

''Hetland and her colleagues reveal dozens of practical measures that could be adopted by any arts program, inside or outside of the school.This is a bold new step in arts education.'' -- David R. Olson, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto

''Will be at the top of the list of essential texts in arts education. I know of no other work in art education with this combination of authenticity and insight.'' -- Lars Lindstram, Stockholm Institute of Education

Many people believe that art education is important, but few can say exactly why. Here, at last, are the results of the first in-depth research on the habits of mind that are instilled by studying art-habits the authors argue have positive impacts on student learning across the curriculum. Studio Thinking provides art teachers with a research-based language for describing what they intend to teach and what students learn. This language will help advocates explain arts education to policymakers, help art teachers develop and refine their teaching practices, and help educators in other disciplines learn from existing practices in arts education.

Editorial Reviews

Review

''Chapter one should be disseminated to all decision-makers in education. Studio Thinking is a major contribution to the field.'' --Arts & Learning Review, Winter 2008, Vol. 3, Issue 1

''Hetland and her colleagues reveal dozens of practical measures that could be adopted by any arts program, inside or outside of the school.This is a bold new step in arts education.'' --David R. Olson, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto

''This book is very educational and would be helpful to art teachers in promoting quality teaching in their classrooms.'' --School Arts Magazine, October 2008

''Hetland and her colleagues reveal dozens of practical measures that could be adopted by any arts program, inside or outside of the schools.This is a bold new step in arts education.'' --David R. Olson, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto

''Will be at the top of the list of essential texts in arts education. I know of no other work in art education with this combination of authenticity and insight.--Lars Lindstram, Stockholm Institute of Education

''The research in Studio Thinking is groundbreaking and important because it is anchored in the actual practice of teaching artists …The ideas in Studio Thinking continue to provide a vehicle with which to navigate and understand the complex work in which we are all engaged.'' -- --Teaching Artists Journal, Vol. 7, No. 3 2009

Hetland and her colleagues reveal dozens of practical measures that could be adopted by any arts program, inside or outside of the school….This is a bold new step in arts education. --David R. Olson, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto

Will be at the top of the list of essential texts in arts education. I know of no other work in art education with this combination of authenticity and insight. --Lars Lindström, Stockholm Institute of Education

Hetland and her colleagues reveal dozens of practical measures that could be adopted by any arts program, inside or outside of the school….This is a bold new step in arts education. --David R. Olson, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto

Will be at the top of the list of essential texts in arts education. I know of no other work in art education with this combination of authenticity and insight. --Lars Lindström, Stockholm Institute of Education

About the Author

Lois Hetland is Associate Professor of Art Education at Massachusetts College of Art and Research Associate at Harvard Project Zero. Ellen Winner is Professor of Psychology at Boston College and Senior Research Associate at Harvard Project Zero. Shirley Veenema is Art Instructor at Phillips Academy (Andover) and a researcher at Harvard Project Zero. Kimberly M. Sheridan, formerly a researcher at Harvard Project Zero, is Assistant Professor in Educational Psychology and Art Education at George Mason University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Teachers College Press (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807748188
• ISBN-13: 978-0807748183
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,000 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #61 in Books > Arts & Photography > Study & Teaching

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A strong argument for the arts in education October 3, 2007

By Daniel Serig

Format:Paperback

Lois Hetland and Ellen Winner (et al) make a strong case for arts education for every child based on solid research. Their initial analysis of arts education research sets the stage for their in-depth, immersive inquiry into the practices of highly-skilled, professional teaching artists. The blending of theoretical perspectives with 'in-the-trenches' data collection, analysis and synthesis surround the types of teaching and learning occuring in the visual arts studio classrooms. Selecting such qualified teachers who also have vibrant art practices strengthens the relationships between the ideal professional who is an artist, educator and researcher. The practical examples will motivate teachers and the thoughtfully built argument for the arts in education will provide a valuable source for any advocate and policy maker.

As a former K-12 art educator and current teacher of art education at the college level, I find this book a major contribution to the field and invaluable for pre-service and practicing teaching artists.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Research grounded in reality October 7, 2007

By Katherine M. Douglas

Format:Paperback

Lois Hetlund and her colleagues have written an important book that grounds academic research firmly in the real world of schools. It is readable, accessable, and yet contains profound truths. Documenting and describing the sorts of thinking that can take place in high quality arts programs, the authors remind us of what a true education should contain, despite the teach-to-the-standardized-test momentum in many public schools.
Here is an article about the authors' work:
[...]
Highly recommend the book.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The missing link between teaching and practice October 30, 2007

By S. Locke

Format:Paperback

This book is an aid not just for the teacher, but for the studio artist. As an educator, I benefit from its cogent analysis, but as a dedicated studio artist, I find the Eight Studio Habits of Mind the first tangible distillation of the process and thinking that happens in my studio. There are so many books about what artists do and how to access creativity. Hetland et al have shown that critical and creative thinking is not a matter of magic or divine inspiration, but rather the result of a mind set that can be used by students and artists alike. This book provides the connection between the teacher and the artist and the artist and her/his studio.