An Eye on the Environment by Bev Joicey
School Based Art Education Project Helps Build Rapport with Nature
Mar 13, 2009
An Eye on the Environment, “is about how young people can be encouraged to switch on their senses and be drawn into personal relationship with the environment.” [Joicey. 1986 p6]
The art education project was sponsored by the World Wide Fund UK, a body committed to creating education programmes. The aim is to provide resource materials that enable teachers to bring environmental issues into everyday classroom teaching at all levels of education.
This process of "switching students on" to enjoying their environment for its own sake will enrich their lives. They will be encouraged to learn to appreciate what they see, sense and feel. The experience of being “in tune” with the environment, whether built or natural, can be very relaxing and for some it is quite spiritual. The artistic investigations described in the book are anticipated to bring about a sense of general wellbeing and enjoyment.
When students’ learn to value their environment their ability to notice when nature is being denuded increases. A new found appreciation of the environment will encourage students to think critically about conservation issues. The material was designed to give young people knowledge and experience encouraging them to make informed personal judgments about environmental issues.
Valuing the Artistic Journey
During the school based project, art was used as an activity that would develop environmental sensitivity.
By seeking to look, by getting to know, and by training students to see the fine detail of a small place, the author hoped that students would increase their understanding of it.
Students were asked to
- slow down
- concentrate and focus
- adopt a point of view which values the journey for itself,
- be open to the fine detail that focused attention can reveal
By getting in touch with their environment, students and teachers can get in touch with themselves.
EcoLiteracy and Environmental Art
When focusing on nature, students will see things they would otherwise miss, and thus develop an intimate relationship with the environment. It is hoped that this will help them to become more sensitive people. Art becomes a means with which to open participant's eyes to the world around. In this gentle way attitudes and behaviour may shift towards a harmonious coexistence with the natural world.
When looking hard at subject matter the teacher gives students time to reflect, not only on the subject matter but on their response to it; thus developing a language of value.
The Layout of “Eye on the Environment”
The book provides teachers with example projects and it describes how to arrange learning experiences within an inquiry process. It shows examples of how other students have responded to the stimulus material. Chapters incorporate teacher reports and samples of work from a number of schools.
Joicey describes teachers' journeys through the process, capturing how teachers were able to cause the students to see their surroundings with a new awareness. For example, teacher Chris Chappell talks about scaffolding and her hopes for successful integration with other subjects such as RE and Maths, “6 main activities, each separate, yet led into the next, built up into a fairly detailed study of a piece of ground” [Joicey. 1986 p]
Strategy for Seeing and Understanding
After introducing a small chapter called “Strategy for Seeing and Understanding,” and explaining how to put this strategy into practice, Joicey spells out details of the activities and materials for projects. Young artists investigate subject matter such as quarries, cliffs contrasted against characters and peoples faces. While working within topic areas it is suggested that teachers remind students about the nine elements of design spelled out in the second section of the book.
Learning to Understand the World Within
Joicey says that the object of the project, and of teaching art, is to help the students understand better the world around them, and through that experience, to understand the world within them.
Eye on the Environment is a valuable, practical art teacher’s text. The book is especially helpful for beginning visual art teachers because it outlines a philosophical approach to lesson planning. The strategies are methodical and clear whilst being flexible and adaptable.
Resources:
Joicey. H.B, An Eye On The Environment and Art Education Project. Lon: Unwin Hyman in assoc WW. 1986.
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