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Learn how to integrate works of art using Artful Thinking routines, effective strategies from Project Zero at Harvard University, in this interactive online course for teachers of all levels and subjects.
34,932 already enrolled!
Based on the National Gallery of Art’s popular Art Around the Corner professional development program for teachers in Washington, D.C., this five-unit online course provides everything you need to begin creating a culture of critical thinking and collaboration for any classroom, subject, or level. You do not need an art background or museum access to successfully integrate the course materials into your teaching. Your willingness to experiment with new teaching practices is all that is required.
The strategies presented in this course are adapted from Artful Thinking pedagogy, developed by Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. You will explore three thinking dispositions, using eight thinking routines that are easy to understand and implement with STEAM curricular content.
Throughout, you will discover the power of art to develop your students’ inclination, motivation, and ability to think deeply.
When you enroll, all the resources you need for your classroom to strengthen critical thinking by using art will be immediately available. We recommend spending a few hours learning and practicing each section before progressing to the next.
The online course environment features over 20 videos and interactive tools:
Participating with a global network of educators who, just like you, want to hone their abilities to teach critical thinking skills and explore arts integration will be an added bonus to your course experience.
The course contains an introductory unit and four content units listed below. It will take approximately 14-20 hours to complete this self-paced course. Those who audit have access for 16 weeks. Those who register for the verified certificate have access of a full year.
Unit 0: Welcome (2 hours)
Unit 1: Diving into Thinking Routines (3-4 hours)
Unit 2: Observing and Describing (3-4 hours)
Unit 3: Reasoning with Evidence (3-4 hours)
Unit 4: Questioning and Investigating (3-4 hours)
"I have been teaching for 25 years and nothing has fired me up like this Artful Thinking course since I came out of college!"
"Outstanding course. Impressive use of educational technology and a huge variety of teaching resources from very knowledgeable and experienced teachers."
What web browser should I use?
The Open edX platform works best with current versions of Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, or with Internet Explorer version 9 and above. See our list of supported browsers for the most up-to-date information.
What should I expect from this course?
In this free five-unit course, you’ll spend just a few hours per week, at your own pace, engaging in the course material. Whether you teach language arts, science, math, languages, social studies, or art, you’ll learn strategies and be shown examples that fit your needs throughout: watch videos of lesson excerpts from most grade levels in classrooms and the museum, practice strategies with the online community of teachers, use customized tools to explore works of art, contribute to discussions, read informative texts, participate in quizzes, complete application assignments, and access resources about the featured works of art and thinking routines.
Why art? How can art help my students’ critical thinking?
Works of art are often ambiguous and open to multiple interpretations (much like the real world!). Art invites critical analysis to support different interpretations. Students can practice this type of critical thinking with art, in the safe, stimulating environment of the classroom. When students practice routinely with art, they become critical thinkers, using these techniques with other school subjects and in the real world.
Do I need to take my class to a museum?
You don't need to have access to a museum or physical works of art. We'll show how teachers like you are using art to spark engagement and dialogue with their students in the classroom. These Artful Thinking techniques apply across curriculums, and getting students inspired by art to build rigor in their thinking is applicable in any subject! So while you won’t be making art or studying art history here, our online course and museum’s website will provide all of the resources you need in your classroom. Of course, if you do have a museum nearby and are able to take your students there, a museum visit is always a good idea!
