Critical Thinking and Problem Solving through Art

How is problem solving/critical thinking taught through art? What are some different strategies you have used to promote problem solving/critical thinking?

Problem solving and critical thinking has been much more apparent to me while teaching at the elementary level compared to secondary. These young students are still learning the essential elements of art and its production. There’s a lot of basic discovery and exploration of medium

The main way that I try to promote problem solving skills and critical thinking is by giving students the time and opportunity to explore these mediums. As students work with new materials, they will encounter various new problems or difficulties. Students should be provided with adequate time to try to find solutions to these problems or struggles. Even working artists sometimes have to practice a new material or subject to anticipate any problems. It’s important that students understand that mistakes are okay to be made, and are an important part of everyone’s learning.

When we look at slides of artwork in class, I like to ask some basic open ended questions to think about how the work is made and its purpose. How do you think this artwork was constructed? How long do you think it took the artist? How would you do this project differently? These are all simple, open questions to get the students thinking. There are no right or wrong answers, but the questions target specific essential questions for them to be thinking about while working. With a question about the construction of an artwork, students will come up with their own solutions, hear the ideas of their classmates and also hear about the solutions the artist chose. I think students really understand some of these skills better when they’ve considered the struggles famous artists had with their work. Students need to see that they’re not alone in these struggles, and that age or ability has nothing to do with success.

Lastly, as students come to me during projects with questions, I will share some of those problems with the class, and ask for possible solutions. Students respond differently to seeing the struggles of their peers, I think it’s much easier for them to relate to their friends’ difficulties. This group problem solving is also great for establishing a stronger sense of community in the art room. Students should be helping each other and have confidence that there’s a big group of people who can collaborate and help them with their problems.