I have so much to write this week; so many different themes I want to write on that there is a distinct possibility that this could all end up muddled and confused… I’m back at school and the analytical assassin creeps back in to replace or embrace with the creative…
…more confused than usual.
My good friend Elena Thomas sent me a link earlier this week from the NSEAD Facebook page. Written by the head teacher of Chiswick School in response to some of the current educational changes taking place, my ego was pointed in the direction of his fourth paragraph where he uses the term “the art of teaching”… the title of my blog… my term…
http://www.chiswickschool.org/news/?pid=3&nid=2&storyid=299
… really set my head off… people are coining my phrase… they must be reading me… yea! Fame!
Pah! Like!
It strikes me as a no-nonsense, honest article. It’s nice to finally hear others – particularly a head, commenting to parents and advocating change. Good stuff.
Next, I was pointed in the direction of an article that appeared in last Sundays Sun newspaper – oh no! I hear you cry… the Sun..! No, no, no… I can’t ignore a tabloid that reaches so many of the people that I also want to reach… they read it and can be influenced by what is written in it, whether it be based on fiction or truth… Can I afford to be snobbish? I’m sure similar articles would have appeared in far more “respectable” journals over the course of the week, but in my hectic schedule I just haven’t had them pointed out to me…
“PUPIL’S TAUGHT BY QUACK SIRS” screams out the headline. “Unqualified teachers educate 1000s”.
I have a friend who is a supply teacher. Over the past few years he has found it increasingly difficult to get supply work. He suggests that cover supervisors, student teachers, classroom assistants and “outside” specialists are to blame for this; echoing the Sun article. He regularly writes to his MP asking for clarification on the governments stand on this, and as yet has failed to receive a satisfactory explanation. What does that do to my professional qualification? What does this do for the art of teaching?
I need some help with my blog please. I am becoming acutely aware that what I write about here is only about my opinions and for the most, my work. Previously I wrote about wanting to curate an exhibition of exemplars created by Art teachers. In my search for these, and to help develop and improve my own teaching, I am seeking examples that you might like shown and would be happy for me and others to discuss on this blog. As part of my research into art practices, I am interested in collating a collection of work that can paint a true, representative picture of the art of teaching. It is the imagery that I seek, and knowing the little time we teachers have, explanations of the work would be optional. If you would like to help with this, please email images to [email protected] which is linked to my website where I will hopefully host the initial showing of the work. I would be most grateful for your participation.
In my own search for exemplars I have been developing a technique that uses a variety of apps on my iPad’s to manipulate and restructure an original image either drawn, made or painted by myself. I have long believed that the future of education lies in tablet technology alongside more conventional yet altered forms of teaching. An increasing number of schools now are introducing this expertise across their sites to every pupil, and unless Art starts to incorporate it into its own lessons, we will surely just give the government a further excuse to downgrade our importance to the curriculum.
As the technique develops, pixilation manipulation keeps bringing me back to the primal… the inherent that I see in tribal imagery… that leaves me wondering if conceivably our ancestors hold all the answers? Our future lies in our past? Is the art of teaching buried somewhere within there..?
