Tuesday, March 22, 2011

How to teach art, thirteen top tips.



1. Have patience, all people learn at different rates and by different methods. They are either visual, aural or hands on learners.
Teach in all three styles so that you help everyone to understand.


2. Always find something positive to say about every persons artwork, their work is their baby, don't wound them  by being negative and don't ignore them. Do not favour anyone in the class.


3. Find positive recommendations about their work give them an idea of how they can improve.  If they don't take  your advice, don't sweat  it; it's still  their creation.


4. Be friendly, open, relaxed and approachable, never parent them or talk down to them.


5. Don't lose your temper or be crabby during a class, they are your clients and they need to be respected, be passionate about what you are teaching.


6. Bring along visual examples of your own work, students like to see that you actually do some creative art  of your own, it will inspire them.


7. Have plenty of visual examples from books and magazines to show pupils, don't expect them to operate  in a vacuum. Encourage them to bring along visual examples of other artists work that they like.


8. Ask them to wear name tags if you are not good at remembering names.


9. Before you start the class; have an icebreaker prepared so that you encourage a positive class climate.  Even if it's just going around the room and introducing themselves and saying what they would like to achieve from the class. It also helps you to guage their experience level.


10.Be open to what students have to offer, it's not all a one way street. I often am inspired by my students work.


11. Encourage them to have fun and see the process as a journey of creativity.


12. Encourage them to draw every day and set them a little bit of homework.
They will rise to the occasion and their learning will be accelerated.


13.Enroll  a Certificate in Adult Education course, you will learn lots of valuable teaching tricks.
Keep educating yourself, go to other art classes, it's important to experience what it's like to be a student.
It  keeps you humble and abreast of exciting developments and techniques.

                                                                           






Creativity Quote of the Day.

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.

William Arthur Ward

1 comment:

Mary said...

I agree with all of those but Number 2 in particular.How many children (and adults) have had their creativity nipped in the bud by a negative comment.