VTS / Visual Thinking Strategies - Visit to the Lowe

 

I

Unit: Teaching

Theme: Visual Thinking Strategies 

Introduction

Today we are visiting the Lowe Art Museum, one of the oldest museums in South Florida, with one of the greatest collections. We will meet Mark Osterman, who will introduce us to VTS (Visual Thinking Skills), a methodology that facilitates discussion about art, in general, and about the Lowe's collection specifically.

II

Learning Objectives

 

• Understand the use of VTS in the classroom
• Explain the meaning of VTS
• Gain awareness of the process and its intentions when used with school children
• Experience facilitating a VTS session
  

 

 III

Main Lesson

  1

 

 Visual Thinking Strategies: Terra Foundation

Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is a learner-centered instructional method used to examine and find meaning in visual art. Using a painting from the Terra Foundation collection, Samuel F. B. Morse’s iconic Gallery of the Louvre (1831–33), Yenawine facilitates a VTS discussion, followed by an examination of how the discussion was constructed. Classroom and museum educators and docents interested in learner-centered teaching methods will find this video to be a very useful resource. 

 

 

QUESTION 1

Explain in your own words the meaning of VTS.

 

 

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2

 

Use the link bellow to check the Collections section of the Lowe Art Museum.

Lowe Art Museum - Collections

https://emuseum1.as.miami.edu/collections

 

 

 QUESTION 2

 

Out of the paintings shown in the Collections section, which painting did you like best? Why?

 

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3

VTS Discussion Process

• Observe a painting
• What is doing on in this picture? 
• Facilitator paraphrases
• What makes you think so?
• Facilitator paraphrases
• What more can we find?
• Facilitator paraphrases
• What makes you say that?
• Facilitator paraphrases
• What more can you find?
• Facilitator paraphrases
• What did you see that makes say that?
• Facilitator paraphrases

 

QUESTION 3

What is the intention of this process?

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 4

 

 Application

 

QUESTION 4

Use the link bellow to check the Collections section of the Lowe Art Museum. Choose a painting of your choice and apply the VTS- Discussion-Process listed above. Write your answers and post them on Discussion Board.

Lowe Art Museum - Collections

https://emuseum1.as.miami.edu/collections

 

 

 

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IV

 

A Note to Remember

 

VTS makes discussions about art more interesting, engaging and interactive. It facilitates critical thinking abilities among school children without judgement or expectations.

 

 V

 

Case Study

 

How to Teach Visual Thinking Strategies to Your Students.

VTS and the Common Core Standards from Visual Thinking Strategies on Vimeo

Visual Thinking Strategies 

 

 

  QUESTION 5

 

Write a reflection about the VTS- Discussion-Process and how it could help children to learn better?

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 VI

 

Journaling

 

 

VII

 

Glossary

 

 

VIII

 

Sources

How to Teach Visual Thinking Strategies to Your Students. https://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/teaching_visual_thinking_strategies.shtml

 

IX

Students' Work

Sofia Kauderer

Class Questions

1. Exploring Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS):
Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is a teaching method focused on enhancing students' visual literacy and critical thinking through discussions about art pieces. It encourages students to observe, think about, and interpret visuals in a structured group dialogue.

2. Favorite Artistic Work: The Forgotten Village

This painting resonates deeply with me, particularly due to its poignant juxtaposition of resilience amidst adversity. Its vivid depiction strikes a personal chord as I am my grandfather is a Cuban American who understands the deep-seated impacts of oppressive regimes.

3. Purpose of Visual Thinking Strategies:
The primary goal of employing Visual Thinking Strategies is to sharpen analytical thinking and deepen understanding of artistic expressions. This method prompts individuals to delve into complex interpretations and enhances perceptual abilities, which is crucial for both personal and artistic development.

4. Benefits for Children:
Engaging children with Visual Thinking Strategies aids in advancing their analytical and abstract thinking capabilities. This educational approach is particularly beneficial in helping young minds navigate and make sense of the complex, multifaceted world around them, fostering a richer understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives and ideas.

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Alejandra Hernandez

3/28

1. The meaning of VTS: 

Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is an educational approach centered around students that involves analyzing and interpreting visual artwork. 

2. The Painting I like best:

The Three Ballerinas

I liked this piece because of the contrast between beauty and destruction. This representation is dear to my heart since I am a first generation Cuban American and have seen the misery that lies in a dictatorship.

3. The intention of this process

The intention of this process is to make you think critically of the work of art. This allows one to think beyond the literal meaning, further imrpoving your skills as an artist.

4. This process would help children

This allows children to further develop their cognitive thinking, allowing them to be a part of this abstract world we live in.

 

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Delaney Brown

Collapse

1. The meaning of VTS: 

Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is an educational approach centered around students that involves analyzing and interpreting visual artwork. 

2. The Painting I like best:

The Art of the Carribean: 

I like this art because it is simple but leaves you with many questions. You can interpret this painting however you want. 

The painting shows a blue wall, with a square of yellow pannels. One side of the pannels is open like it is a window. This art makes me think of happiness, the bright colors remind me of the beach. I feel like this is a beach house with the windows open. 

3. The intention of this process

The intention of this process is to make you dive deeper into what you think this art means. It helps you understand the art better. 

4. this process would help children

because It can help children organize their thoughts on a piece of art. It also can bring out more creativity and thoughts on a piece of art.

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Tusca Mahmoudpour

1. 
   
   Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is an educational approach that uses open-ended questions and group dialogue to engage students with visual art, fostering critical thinking and communication skills. gether. This approach values everyone's views and helps develop critical thinking and conversation skills.

2. I was very drawn to the Art of the Caribbean. It was colorful which essentially made me attracted to it.

In Lalina's 1983 piece, "Untitled (Woman with Basket of Apples)," a vividly depicted figure catches the eye, likely a woman clutching apples. The portrayal exudes motion, hinting at dancing or walking, injecting the scene with liveliness. Vibrant colors and textures contribute to the playful ambiance. This artwork radiates an inviting charm, evoking feelings of happiness. 

1. The intention of the Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) discussion process is to encourage participants to engage deeply with visual art through careful observation and discussion. The process aims to:

2. Foster Critical Thinking: VTS aims to cultivate critical thinking skills by prompting participants to analyze and interpret visual art through observation, reasoning, and evidence-based discussions.

3. Enhance Visual Literacy: By engaging with a variety of visual artworks, VTS helps participants develop their ability to "read" and understand visual language, including elements such as composition, color, form, and symbolism.

4. Encourage Communication and Collaboration: VTS creates a platform for participants to express their perspectives, interpretations, and reactions to art in a supportive and collaborative environment. It encourages active listening, respectful dialogue, and the exchange of ideas among participants.

5. Promote Empathy and Reflection: Through discussions about art, participants are encouraged to consider different viewpoints, experiences, and emotions, fostering empathy and understanding for diverse perspectives. VTS also encourages self-reflection by prompting participants to articulate their own thoughts and feelings about the artwork.

6. Develop Curiosity and Inquiry Skills: By prompting open-ended questions and encouraging exploration, VTS stimulates curiosity and inquiry, prompting participants to ask questions, seek information, and engage in further investigation about the artwork and its context.

Overall, the VTS discussion process is designed to create a structured yet open-ended dialogue that enriches the viewers' understanding and appreciation of art, while also building valuable analytical and social skills.

1. VTS discussion process using the painting "Untitled (Woman with Basket of Apples)" by Lalina:

-Observe the painting:

-What is going on in this picture?

-Facilitator paraphrases: woman carrying apples in a basket

-What makes you think so?

-Facilitator paraphrases:the actions involved within the picture, its filled with a round like produce hence apples, in her basket.

-Facilitator paraphrases The use of color as well as the strokes of the paint show movement within the painting implying the women may be on the move, perhaps grocery shopping, etc..

-What makes you say that?

-Facilitator paraphrases: the direction of the strokes and lines on her dress and surroundings imply there is motion involved.

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Celeste Pongratz

Questions

3/28

1. Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is a teaching method that helps people learn from art by looking closely and sharing their thoughts. Instead of being told what the art means, participants ask questions and discuss their ideas together. This approach values everyone's views and helps develop critical thinking and conversation skills.

2. I really enjoyed the Art of the Caribbean as it includes a lot of color and life in many pieces. 

The artwork titled "Untitled (Woman with Basket of Apples)" by Lalina from 1983 shows a vibrantly illustrated figure that appears to be a woman holding apples. Her posture and the movement captured suggest a sense of motion, perhaps dancing or walking briskly, which gives the image a dynamic quality. The use of color and texture adds to the playful and lively atmosphere of the piece. What stands out are the bold strokes and the colorful attire of the woman, which could be reflective of a certain cultural background or artistic style. The choice to focus on the subject with minimal background detail draws the viewer's attention directly to the figure and her actions. It's an inviting piece that may evoke a sense of joy or the simple pleasure of daily life. If this painting were part of a collection I were viewing, it might appeal to me for its expressive lines, rich textures, and the energy it conveys.

1. The intention of the Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) discussion process is to encourage participants to engage deeply with visual art through careful observation and discussion. The process aims to:

-Stimulate independent thinking and observation by asking what is happening in the picture, prompting viewers to interpret the visual information before them.

-Foster a dialogue that is both inclusive and reflective by paraphrasing responses, which shows that the facilitator is actively listening and values each participant's perspective.

-Enhance critical thinking skills by asking participants to substantiate their observations and interpretations, encouraging them to look for visual evidence within the artwork.

-Promote the discovery of new insights by continuously asking what more can be found, pushing viewers to look beyond their initial observations and consider details they may have overlooked.

-Develop communication skills as participants articulate their thoughts and learn to listen to and consider the viewpoints of others in the group.

Overall, the VTS discussion process is designed to create a structured yet open-ended dialogue that enriches the viewers' understanding and appreciation of art, while also building valuable analytical and social skills.

1. VTS discussion process using the painting "Untitled (Woman with Basket of Apples)" by Lalina:

-Observe the painting:

-What is going on in this picture?

-Facilitator paraphrases: A figure of a woman carrying a basket of apples.

-What makes you think so?

-Facilitator paraphrases: The stance of the figure, the way she holds the apples, and the colorful clothing suggest she's in the midst of an activity, possibly a market scene or a cultural event.

-What more can we find?

-Facilitator paraphrases: Looking closer you can see details in her clothing that imply motion, perhaps dancing or brisk walking, and the lively use of color that adds to the dynamic nature of the image.

-What makes you say that?

-Facilitator paraphrases: The lines and patterns on her dress, the ribbon in her hair, and the positioning of her limbs can give us clues about her movement and the setting.

-What more can you find?

-Facilitator paraphrases: I see finer details such as the texture of the basket, the expression on the woman's face, or the particular style in which the apples are depicted, each adding a layer of meaning or context to the painting.

-What did you see that makes you say that?

-Facilitator paraphrases: The way the artist has chosen to represent these elements, the strokes used, and the choice of colors might speak to the cultural or emotional significance of the scene being portrayed.

1. The Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) process helps children learn by encouraging them to look closely at art, think about what they see, and share their ideas with others. It teaches them there's no single right answer in art, which boosts their confidence and curiosity. When they explain their thoughts, they practice using evidence and reasoning, which is good for their critical thinking skills. Plus, by listening to others, kids learn about different perspectives and cooperation. So, VTS doesn't just help them understand art better it also helps them develop important life skills.

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Tomi Frame

VTS

Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) involves engaging with art through open-ended discussions facilitated by a moderator, encouraging careful observation, personal interpretation sharing, and respect for diverse viewpoints. It prioritizes dialogue and interaction with artwork over seeking definitive answers.

My affinity lies with Asian art, particularly for its vivid depiction of flowers on the fan, accompanied by Chinese calligraphy which adds an antique charm, possibly a poetic inscription, artist's signature, or seal.

The aim of VTS is to cultivate critical thinking, communication, and observation skills by analyzing visual art, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation. It nurtures confidence in expressing ideas and promotes an open-minded approach to interpreting visual information.

During the VTS process, participants closely examine the artwork, discussing elements such as a serene peony suggesting themes of nature and beauty, supported by soft colors evoking calmness and elegance. Further exploration may reveal intricacies in the calligraphy and subtle background details, fostering curiosity and inquiry.

VTS discussions benefit children's learning by enhancing critical thinking, communication, and self-confidence. They learn to observe closely, express themselves clearly, and appreciate diverse perspectives, fostering an inclusive and respectful learning environment.

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Lauren Tedesco

1. VTS is a way to learn that involves analyzing art. It includes paying attention to detail, discussing the art, and making meaning of it. 

2. My favorite painting was by Jorge Perez Castano and it is untitled. I liked it the best because of the bright colors and positive vibes that it gives off. 

3. The intention of the VTS process is to promote visual literacy, critical thinking, and really get our minds going. It is to make people think for themselves and make meaning out of art. 

4. VTS for Untitled by Jorge Perez Castano

• Observe a painting

• What is doing on in this picture? 

It looks like a mermaid and a fish are swimming in water. 

• Facilitator paraphrases
• What makes you think so?

Well, it looks like the person has a tail, and blue usually represents water. The fish is pretty obviously a fish. 

• Facilitator paraphrases
• What more can we find?

The mermaid has fins coming out of her. 

• Facilitator paraphrases
• What makes you say that?

There are two rounded shapes that look like they can be used as fins under the mermaid's head.

• Facilitator paraphrases
• What more can you find?

It almost looks like they are swimming in a circle.

• Facilitator paraphrases
• What did you see that makes say that?

The water perfectly surrounds the shape of the mermaid. 

• Facilitator paraphrases

5. The VTS is a very good way to examine art. It forces participants to really think and explain themselves. It could help children learn better because it makes them put their thoughts into words and explain why they are thinking the way they are. 

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Gianna Angelillo

• Observe a painting- I observe people 

• What is doing on in this picture? - I see people sitting and standing 

• What makes you think so?- I see whats going on

• What more can we find?- I see some holding objects on their backs some sitting down and objects in front of them

• What makes you say that?- I see those things happening 

• What more can you find?- I see people with hats on, people wearing bright clothing. 

• What did you see that makes say that?- I see it

  
  

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Meng Wang

3/28

 

 

1. Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is a method of engaging in the arts through open-ended discussions, triggered by questions posed by the moderator. It encourages participants to observe carefully, share personal interpretations, and respect diverse perspectives. It is not about finding the right answer, but about dialogue and personal interaction with the work of art.
2. What I love most is the art of Asia. The reason is that the flowers on the fan are so vividly depicted and there is some Chinese calligraphy next to the flowers, possibly a poetic inscription, the artist's signature, or seal, making it look even more antique.
3. The intention of the Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) process is to develop critical thinking, communication, and observation skills through the examination of visual art. It is designed to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of the arts by encouraging participants to express their ideas and listen to others. It also aims to build confidence in expressing ideas and to promote an open-minded approach to learning and interpreting visual information.
4. Observe the painting on the fan: Participants take a moment to closely examine the details of the fan's artwork.

  What is going on in this picture? - Observers might note a serene depiction of a peony which could suggest themes of nature and beauty.

  What makes you think so? - The attention to detail and the soft colors used may lead viewers to feel a sense of calmness and elegance.

  What more can we find? - Looking further, participants might notice the intricacy of the calligraphy and wonder about its content.

  What makes you say that? - The positioning and prominence of the text next to the peony may imply its importance.

  What more can you find? - Further inspection might reveal the subtle background details that complement the central image.

  What did you see that makes you say that? - Observers may point out the bamboo handle, indicating the fan’s functional.

1. The VTS discussion process can greatly assist children's learning by fostering critical thinking, improving communication skills, and increasing self-confidence. It teaches children to look closely, articulate themselves clearly, and appreciate multiple perspectives, promoting an inclusive and respectful learning environment.