VTS Lesson #3
This week's discussion with the Intro to Art students was another step in the right direction.
Here's how it went...
After asking the first VTS question, the students were quick to start answering. They noticed:
- The woman in the image is pregnant or has stomach pains...b/c she's holding her stomach
- The woman looks distressed...b/c of her facial expressions
- The woman is dressed in red and stands out
- All the other figures are dressed in neutral colored clothing
- It looks like the setting is in a subway station...b/c it's crowded and there are gates
- The three men on the left appear to be in phone booths/stations
- At first glance, there appears to be only one female figure...she is the focal point
- After looking closer. there are two more females in the image.
- It looks like a mirror image or reflection...there's "repetition"
- Everyone is looking/glaring at the female figure
After these observations were made, there was a long silence that I tried to wait out. It didn't appear that anyone was going to raise there hand again, so I cheated a little on the last question and asked: "Can anyone tie this all together for us?" I asked this because this group of students make great observations, but no one attempts to find an overall meaning. After I asked that, one girl raised her hand and said, "Because the woman seems to be the center of attention, I think this image is about the [male gaze] and what they desire from women." How compelling! That was the type of answer I wanted to hear...an attempt at a deeper analysis of the image as a whole. Was it bad that I didn't stick to wording "what more can we find?"
VTS-to-Date: Reflection
- I think I am doing well staying neutral, listening carefully to the students, and keeping track of what's been said. For the most part, I am able to execute the 3 questions successfully.
- From my first VTS experience with the professional peers, I have grown a little more comfortable and relaxed with each discussion. Also, my paraphrasing is gradually getting clearer and more fluent.
- I am pleasantly surprised that the students are improving and growing with me through each VTS discussion.
- Room to improve...Even though there is a lot of participation, it is the same group of students who normally contribute. I am not sure how to reach out to the other students who keep quiet during the discussions. In addition, our discussions are full of observations in the beginning and then fizzle out, making for brief discussions at times. How can I get more hands to raise after asking "what more can we find", followed by a LONG wait time?
Dang it! I just wrote you about 5 paragraphs and when I hit 'publish,' it disappeared!! So I'll try again!
ReplyDeleteGreat observations! As for your "rogue" question, Housen & Yenawine would say to stick with the 3 VTS questions. The one you asked asked for Stage 3 thinking and your kiddos clearly aren't there yet. When they are ready developmentally, they will go there themselves. The objective of the VTS discussion is for them go gain confidence, develop critical thinking and evidential reasoning skills, and practice effective communication and respectful debate. If YOUR objective is for them to consider how all parts of the painting work together to make meaning, you can certainly ask them to discuss and/or write about that question, but do it as a follow up to the discussion. Keep the discussion space safe and student-centered. Everytime you insert yourself into the VTS discussion, you undermine your goal of NOT seeing you as the "sage on the stage."
Quick question: Do students sit in their regular seats when you VTS? (meaning are some near the back of the room?) I suggest you ask them to bring their chairs up close (or sit on the tables up close) when you VTS. It's harder to doze off or daydream (or text) when everyone is up close. You can also look non-participants right in the eye when you ask Q3.
Great observations! Glad to hear you are growing!
Mary, the past two VTS discussions I've asked the students to get out of their seats and gather around the image...that has helped a lot. However, there is a group who still stands there and doesn't make any contributions.
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