Category Archives: Article Reviews

Interview with Morgan Kolonauski

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I had the opportunity to interview Morgan Kolonauski, 19,  who is a current Penn State University student.

These are her opinions on the Arts and STEM subjects:

Can you explain your Major/Career and education completion at this point in time?

“I graduated with a IB diploma from the stem academy and I am attending PSU in the IST (Information Systems Technological) field. I am also planning on minoring in Psychology.”

Do you feel that the importance of the Arts (Art, Music, theater, etc.) is often overlooked when deciding the important subjects in a curriculum? Why or Why not?

“Yes, and not even just from the standpoint of needing to be a well rounded student. Drawing and music, they have calming affects that destress students.”

 Is there too much attention towards STEM subjects?

“I think there is too much attention towards making everyone something in the stem field. STEM is important because we are going to have more advances and discoveries in the future, but its important to include and invest in the arts, to keep our humanity. Centuries ago, the arts and religion and science were are considered in the same field, so in the right now, they are just separate.”

Many areas do not have exposure to the Arts. How can we make changes to give opportunity to everyone?

“That’s very difficult, because when a student chooses the field, it is because they want to do what ever is in that field. So someone like myself, I would like to program or be a consultant. That does not involve much need for art. However, I think the focus should be on encouraging the students who want to perform or create to do what they love.”

Explain how the Arts did or did not impact your childhood (high school or prior). What school subjects did you most prefer? Least prefer?

“I love every field in the arts realm. I love to sing, act, dance, paint, play, etc. I loved how I could express myself through my work, and not everyone would get it, but I knew what it meant. However, I did not like taking art classes, because the teaches would put restrictions on what you could and couldn’t do. As someone who considers themselves as an artist for pleasure and not for fame, this didn’t appeal to me, because in my eyes, art can not be judged. I did enjoy choir, because it was a break from the STEM and history and english fields. Like I said earlier, the arts helped me retain my humanity (as creepy as that sounds), because it’s a healthy way to express your feelings.”

How do STEM subjects prepare a student for the real world?

“The world it a technological place, so if at the very least, it prepares students to adapt to the new age devices and lives we will live in the future.”

 How does the Arts prepare a student for the real world?

“Arts prepares students to be creative and take chances. They encourage exploring and traveling. I would say the arts remind us that we are humans.”

 

STEM Education: A New Trend?

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Read the Original Article Here!

Prior to starting my review, I’d like to establish that I graduated from the Downingtown STEM Academy, the nations largest STEM/IB school. I also have pursued art and music since I was a little girl, therefore I am partial to both sides of the argument.

First, the article establishes “What is a STEM Education?”. According to the article, a STEM Education “focuses on the core subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics”.

But as later defined in the article, a STEM education is much more then just the subjects focused on throughout an individuals career. Under the “What is STEM Education” Section, the article describes a STEM Education as a “meta-discipline” and states:

“STEM can be defined as the creation of a discipline based on the integration of other disciplinary knowledge into a new ‘whole’. This interdisciplinary bridging among discrete disciplines is now treated as an entity, known as ‘STEM’.”

In simpler terms, the goal of a STEM education, is to based learning off of a motive that all the subjects taught are interrelated and assist one another in the real world. The style of teaching is typically based on open-discussions and individualized research.

These ideas are true, as my high school often started lessons with an overall question, and the units within the lesson pertained to different pieces of the answer. There never was one concrete answer to anything proposed by my teachers though, everything was always arguable as long as evidence was presented.

The next section touches upon why a STEM education is important in todays world. This area discusses 2 issues; 1) that 80% of the jobs available require some sort of math and science skills and 2) that the United States is outperformed by various countries listed (15+).

As for the first issue, this is slightly contradicting to other ideas that the real-world wants more out-of-the-box thinking individuals. Which I’m not saying with a STEM education isn’t linear, but it is for the most part. However, the arts are typically lacking in a STEM education, therefore, the creative expression can be lacking in graduates.

As for the Second issue, it is true we are outperformed by several countries and the U.S. always has been. I do not think the correct way to increase our perform level is to force a STEM Education. A STEM Education is not for everyone. Some of the students I knew were very adaptable to the new way of thinking, others quickly dropped out because they couldn’t handle the complexity. Forcing someone to conform to a STEM Education could actually drop our performance.

The following is the List of Benefits as given by the article:

  • Promotes equality in education (STEM benefits both male and female students equally)
  • Teaches independent innovation
  • Allows students to explore subjects at greater depth
  • Helps students develop critical thinking skills
  • graduate from STEM programs often find that they are better prepared for the rigors of a college curriculum
  • Good salary right out of school
  • Intellectually challenging
  • Good job potential
  • Student is passionate about field of study
  • Students performed well in these subjects in primary and secondary grades
  • Students can make a difference
  • The U.S. is in need of qualified workers in these fields

The following is the list of drawbacks given by the article:

  • One of the largest drawbacks to the STEM model is that it does not provide clear-cut guidelines for educators to follow as they develop their own STEM education models within their schools. When teachers transfer or retire, the integration is disrupted and must be started anew with the next teacher to fill the position.
  • no national standards for STEM education or for teacher certification in these programs. leaving parents and students unsure of what type of quality STEM education is actually being offered at their local schools.

Overall, these pros and cons listed are an accurate representation of the current STEM education set up or at least, the STEM education I went through. I’d have to say that yes, students are better prepared for the teaching mechanisms in a college setting but are lacking in social abilities due to the high focus on these academics. The STEM education helps to expand the mind, not the interactions of a student. From the drawbacks, the curriculum is currently flawed, as specified in the article. There is no set guidelines for what does and doesn’t need to be taught, making it difficult to define the education model.

Interview with Sam DiFrancesco

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Recently, I got to interview (via Phone) Sam Difrancesco, 23, a recent graduate of Delaware Community College in May of 2014. As a Computer Aided Design (CAD) graduate, Sam answered some questions about the Arts and STEM subjects.

Can you explain your Major/Career at this point in time?

“My name is Sam DiFrancesco and I’m a Engineering/Computer Aided Design (CAD) major with a Bachelors Degree from Delaware Community College. I currently work as  a CAD Tech-1 at UC Energetic. I’m in charge of creating schematics for electric wiring and piping for construction workers.”

Do you feel that the importance of the Arts (Art, Music, theater, etc.) is often overlooked when deciding the important subjects in a curriculum? Why or Why not?

“I think yes because most of the popular arts (Music and Visual Arts) are not viewed in a professional light.”

Is there too much attention towards STEM (Science, technology, Engineering, Math) subjects?

“Those subjects are helpful with the improvement and development of mankind. It’s necessary to help mankind make discoveries and progress forward in their evolution. So, no, I don’t think there’s an extreme amount of attention towards the STEM subjects.”

Many areas do not have exposure to the Arts. How can we make changes to give opportunity to everyone?

“Through proper funding, fundraisers and government programs we can provide an arts education to the less fortunate.”

Explain how the Arts did or did not impact your childhood (high school or prior). What school subjects did you most prefer? Least prefer?

“The arts impacted my childhood because I learned how to play the guitar and drums. I enjoyed electives the most, like General Music, but I disliked foreign languages and English.”

How do STEM subjects prepare a student for the real world?

“They give you the tools to handle real life situations such as logic, concrete evidence, and decision-making skills.”

How does or doesn’t the Arts prepare a student for the real world?

“It opens new pathways for alternative thinking by promoting creative and out-of-the-box methods that are not taught through traditional stem subjects.”

Would you say that both the Arts and STEM subjects are needed to be successful? Or is one more important then the other?

“Both of them are required to be successful and are equally important.”

 

Interview with Brian Lloyd

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I had the opportunity to interview (via email) Brian Lloyd, the current head of the International Baccalaureate Music Program at the Downingtown STEM Academy. He shared below his views on STEM subjects versus the Arts.

Can you explain your current career(s) and educational achievement/degrees?

“My name is Brian Lloyd. I am the Choral Director, Head of Recording Studio and the Lead of the International Baccalaureate Music Program at the Downingtown STEM Academy. I have been teaching music for approximately 15 years.  I  hold a bachelor of science in music education and a master’s degree in instructional design: leadership in integrating technology in instruction.  I am currently working on a PhD also in instructional design.”

Do you feel that the importance of the Arts (Art, Music, theater, etc.) is often overlooked when deciding the important subjects in a curriculum? Why or Why not?

“There are times that the arts are overlooked.  Schools and communities are data driven which is why standardized testing maintains importance.  There is countless research about the benefits of a robust arts program.”

Is there too much attention towards STEM subjects?

“Yes, it has become a bandwagon for schools and communities to jump on.  In our district, I was not permitted to teach a STEM pathway because of my music specialty.  It would have been a great time working with my colleagues in a class like iMedia.”

Many areas do not have exposure to the Arts. How can we make changes to give opportunity to everyone? Why or Why not?

“Research is being done to help this point.  With the number of computers with internet connectivity in homes, web-based instruction is becoming more readily available to people in remote locations.  I just recently read a journal article about Canada’s use of distance learning and it touched on this.”

Explain how the Arts did or did not impact your childhood (high school or prior). What school subjects did you most prefer? Least prefer?

“I was the kid that was always in the music room every chance I had.  I took every music class that was offered.  The other courses that I enjoyed the most were spanish, physics and chemistry.  My least favorite subject was English.”

How do STEM subjects prepare a student for the real world?

“I do not believe that it is the subjects that prepare a student.  There are so many factors related to this question.  A student chooses classes based upon what he/she wants as a career.  The teacher creates a learning environment that will prepare the student for that career.  The other piece is a whole-school mission like our STEM Academy- Effort equals intelligence.  We also use “growth mindset” quite frequently with our students and teachers as well.  We are not satisfied and continue to challenge ourselves to be better.  ALL of these factors prepare students for the real world.”

How does the Arts prepare a student for the real world?

“The arts are a vital part of being human.  It is difficult to put into words with the time that I have to respond to this email.  I did a quick search for some quotes that may help you with this question.  Click here.”

Would you say that both the Arts and STEM subjects are needed to be successful? Or is one more important then the other?

“Yes, students need to have a full education.  Anything less is a disservice to everyone.”

Thank you very much for your time and effort.

“It was my pleasure.”

Disadvantages of Art Schools

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Read the Original Article Here!

The article, “Disadvantages of Art Schools,” discusses the cons of Art schools, more specifically art classes.

As a precursor, the article mainly refers to the visual arts and the way classes are typically taught. The article also only touches upon the disadvantages and does not cover the advantages.

Some of the topics discussed include

  • Bad Art Teachers
  • Expectation to Conform
  • Starting from the Very Beginning
  • Limited Freedom of Expression
  • Art Promotion or the Business of Art
  • Costs

Bad Art Teachers: The article references the idea that occasionally you will get stuck with an art teacher who plays “favorites” or likes some student better then others based on artistic style. While this is true, there are bad teachers everywhere, in ALL subjects, I’d like to point out that art is subjective, and not everyone will like your art. If you’ve ever walked through an art museum or even listened to different genres of music, you won’t necessarily like everything you see or hear. Though art teachers are supposed to grade based on a set of criteria without bias or judgment, were all human beings and subject to our own opinions. Do I think it’s right? No. But as an artist myself, it’s a learning experience.

Expectations to Conform: The next topic covered is the idea that you will be forced to conform at some point in time. This I agree with. In the developing stages of art school, teachers are to teach you the very fundamental basics. During this time you are expected to follow the rules. As an artist, it is your job to decide when to take risks. Granted if you’re in class and you’re being graded on a specific project, I highly suggest you follow the instructions to avoid failure of the task. What I do recommend would be to think about the given assignment and find a way to make it your own while still following the rules. Make yourself standout while still fitting in.

Starting from the Very Beginning: Honestly, this was a given. All artists have to start somewhere, and when you join an art school, unless you have transferred credit, they will assume you don’t know anything. Thus, those who are more advanced will have to stick it out through the basics. I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing, because the stronger your basic skills are, the better you can apply them to more complex works.

Limited Freedom of Expression: Going off of my previous statements, because you are stuck in beginner’s art classes temporarily, you will have limited freedom of expression. Realistically, if you have little experience with different styles, techniques, mediums, etc., when you are released into a creatively free class, you can very easily become lost. Yes, it’s terrible to be forced to do projects you’re not necessarily interested in, but in the long-run, it will be beneficial when you are given that freedom.

Art Promotion or the Business of Art: The article does bring up a good point; there is a lack of art classes that teach art in the real world. This is an issue because a lack of marketing and design classes doesn’t show the applicability of art outside of recreational purposes. Currently, there are less and less opportunities to attract the attention of future artists. Society has made it more important to study more structured classes like STEM Subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), when in actuality, the job industry calls for more creative people.

Expenses: Finally, the arts are an expensive endeavor. Whether it’s art classes or music and theater, each of the arts requires an investment. Some will have to pay for private voice or instrument lessons, while other will spend their paycheck on art supplies. To go to an art school specifically requires an even higher tuition expense then a standard school. This is your own choice, of whether or not it’s worth the risk of spending that much on something you love and want to do.

In general, I thought the article provides a thorough list of disadvantages. I felt the article could have had a little more analysis about each topic, but it did get the point across that the Arts are not always beneficial.

The Importance of Art in Child Development

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Read the Original Article Here! 

The article, “The Importance of Art in Child Development,” establishes several popular reasons an Arts education is important during the early years of life.

Prior to my review, I’d like to establish that this article only speaks of the pros of an Arts education. It does not discriminate against the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) subjects, nor does it discuss the cons of an Arts education.

First, the article begins with the idea that, “Some may consider an Arts education a luxury.”

For the topic of the article and from an artistic perspective, I cannot tell you how true this statement is, even though it is slightly insulting that some treat the arts as if they are not “real” subjects compared to STEM subjects.

As a Multimedia major myself, I’ve had countless students from other schools and majors say, “You shouldn’t be complaining, all you do is design stuff,” or “Designing stuff is easy, you have easy art classes. I wish I could just sit and draw all day.” In reality, most don’t understand the efforts it takes to design projects.

Next, the article outlines the following pros of the Arts in Child Development:

  • Motor Skills
  • Language Development
  • Visual Learning
  • Inventiveness
  • Cultural Awareness
  • Improved Academic Performance

Motor skills: As outlined in the article, art techniques help with the development of fine motor skills, like using safety scissors or drawing a circle by the age of 3 years old. The importance of these skills are that they are the very basic, fundamental skills to the later developed writing abilities. I found that those who have had an early arts introduction have an easier time with writing and detail-orientated tasks, while those who had no interest have a hard time with proper handwriting skills and focusing on meticulous tasks.

Language Development: The creation of art leads to the development of descriptive vocabulary and color words used to describe the work. Giving children the opportunity to create gives a child the motivation to learn more words that can be used to describe colors, shapes, form, line and other elements of the arts. Personally, my art classes always had class critiques, where other students could offer their opinions and thoughts about the art presented. This, starting from a young age, has given me and other students a better grasp on forming clear and concise explanations on why we created what we created.

Visual Learning: The importance of art also contributes to a child’s development of spatial skills. As stated in the article, children need to be able to decipher “graphic symbolism” such as marketing logos, and be able to make a decision based on what they inferred from the visual elements. The Arts offers a less-concrete way of interpreting visual elements, and helps an individual to decipher sometimes-deceitful marketing ploys.

Inventiveness: Also outlined in the article, an early Arts education leads to innovative thinking. Interestingly enough, the article claims the real world needs forward thinkers, “not people who follow directions.” I think this is a key concept to the importance of the Arts. The Arts promote the creative thinking and an “out-of-the-box” perspective that cannot be replicated within the STEM subjects. Students with an Art education have a better chance of finding a solution to difficult tasks, then STEM students, who are taught a very linear way of thinking.

Cultural Awareness: Going through an early Arts education helps an individual to understand the designer’s or artist’s way of thinking. For Example, the article describes a situation where a toy is deemed sexist or racist. Children can discern the visual elements of why that toy has been disgraced. This is very important for later development, as children need to be able to notice visual social cues from others.

Improved Academic Performance: Finally, the article discusses how participants are more likely to step-up to math/science fairs or are more likely to be recognized for English or poetry abilities. This is significant because the Arts assist children in other STEM subjects that may not be as creative.

Overall, I can say I agree with the topics discussed. Though some children may grow out of their artistic interests as they grow older, the initial few years of an Art’s education develops the fundamental basis for later life skills.