WHOLE BRAIN LEARNING:

Not every child will become a professional artist. In the 21st century, however, most every adult will need to be a critical thinker and decision maker in order to compete in a global economy. Developing right brain artistic ability is only a small part of whole brain learning suggested by Barbara Clark in her book, "Optimizing Learning: The Integrative Education Model in the Classroom." Her book explains seven keys to optimal learning;

• responsive environment
• tension relaxation
• physical movement
• empowering language
• choices and perceived control
• complex and challenging activities
• intuition

I have attempted to incorporate these elements into classroom instruction by:

• posting student and professional art works
• playing the radio while students work
• offering assignment options

Clark's work is a fore-runner to Howard Gardner's and Bruce Campbell's "multiple intelligences theories." In my teaching methods and in each lesson I attempt to integrate one or more of the multiple learning styles:

• verbal-linguistic
• logical-mathematical
• visual-spatial
• bodily-kinesthetic
• musical
• interpersonal intelligence
• intrapersonal intelligence

The latest research by Daniel Coleman in his book "Emotional Intelligence", states that even the brightest students can be "emotionally disabled" when it comes to handling:

• anger
• anxiety
• impulsiveness
• emergencies
• occupational and family relationships

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This research suggests that the fundamentals of "emotional intelligence" are:

• self-awareness
• management of feelings
• motivation
• empathy
• social skills

Teachers can be emotional coaches by seeking to understand what is upsetting the child and helping them find positive ways to effectively deal with the emotions. Ignoring feelings,being too easygoing, and being contemptuous are common errors parents and teachers make in responding to student emotions.

CREATIVE THINKING:

Coming up with innovative and original ideas can sometimes be more frustrating and difficult than visually representing the ideas.

Tony Buzan is an internationally recognized educational psychologist at the University of London and his video series on Mind Mapping techniques provides an excellent way for individuals or small groups to learn to brainstorm "stupid ideas" into innovative masterpieces.

Video and art students are required to come up with three possible solution ideas or media applications before they begin most assignments. Students find mind mapping to be a very useful technique in generating original project ideas. Mind mapping is helpful to students solving problems and studying for performance examinations not only in the video-art room, but in their other classes as well.