Living Assessment: Inquiries in Aesthetic Experiences of Young Learners

• In Event: Eisner in Focus: "Seeing What We Have Said" Through Music, Meshworking, and Artistry

Abstract

We examine integrated visual arts and music instruction through creative music composition practices in soundscapes to develop an understanding of what a child learns through arts learning experiences. To present a viable means of interpreting aesthetic learning experiences, we investigate the learning story as a means of assessment and expand upon this approach by using visual and aural metaphors to examine how they can provide teachers with the necessary tools and practices to compose richly detailed, meaningfully storied assessments. We discovered that children are capable and able to engage with descriptive, interpretive, and evaluative aesthetic criticisms. Moreover, the sharing of learning stories promotes discussions, understandings, and a celebration of young learners’ meaning making with integrated arts.

Authors

• Peter J. Gouzouasis, University of British Columbia
  Presenting Author

• Matthew Yanko, University of British Columbia
  Presenting Author