The students read and
discussed the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Workshop on “Art, Creativity
and Learning.” The workshop, held at the
National Science Foundation Headquarters in Arlington Virginia and The Phillips
Collection on June 11-13, 2008, brought together a pool of the world's leading
investigators interested in the relations between the enhancement of learning,
the transfer of cognitive abilities, and art education. Our attention focused specifically
on dance.
The general goals of the workshop were:
(i) to establish if there is a sufficient basis
for initiating a field of study of the Enhancement of Learning through Art to
the Science of Learning.
(ii) to explore the current status of related
research.
(iii) to determine the potential for future
research in this arena from the neuroscientific, cognitive and educational
perspectives.
Main Results of the Workshop in Relation to Dance
1. Dance integrates the rhythmicity of music and the representational capacity of language.
2. Neuroimaging studies of dance were presented that have examined brain areas involved in both the production and perception of dance.
3. Perception studies have evaluated neural “expertise effects”, demonstrating brain activations that occur preferentially in people who are competent to perform the dance movements.
4. Neuroscientific evidence was presented suggesting that music and dance may activate two parts of the same motor-action-imitation system through mirror neurons.
5. Music and dance also evoke emotions and stimulate visual images; that expand the scope of the material being learned by maintaining attention and allowing a higher level of memory retention
STUDENTS' FEEDBACK
“The outcomes of having diverse
minds is beneficial for everyone in the class as it creates a new points of
view that otherwise may have never been thought of based on each individual
background.” AdrianaNevilacqua
“This [report] can shape the
development of education” for children’s future. Camila Chediak
“We have to command respect in
order to get a proper learning space .” Jordan Rezman
“Through the release of art and the
space to express creativity one can prevent future Hittlers from rising to
power.” Kyla Stewart
“Art can be out there and does not
have to conform to society’s norms.” Briana Earhart
“Everyone deserves a chance to find
a way to leave a mark in the world.” Keiko Shivers
“As a person studying sciences, I
appreciate the scientific evidence that is showing how the arts can change how
a brain functions.” Ellen Mitchell
“I love the story …of the
Cuban-American artist [Ana Mendieta]; I am inspired and intrigued by her
creativity and her courage. She was bold and unafraid to be herself.” Reece
Haire
Siento que todos dememos usar el
arte como un escape para relajar la mente y poder ver las cosas de un angulo
diferente.” I feel we should use art as a escape to relax the mind and be able
to see things from a different angle.” Sara Valbuena
“I like this concept that art can
give people a voice and a meaning.” Saskia St. Lot
“I think expressing your creative self can be a learning experience” Angle
Nieves
“I learned … how important the arts
are in children’s education.” Patricia Victor
“The scientific [research] on dance
can help who disregard it, to accept it and understand the knowledge behind it .”
Ruqayah Abdullah
References
Tyler, Christopher W. Final Workshop Report: Art Creativity and Learning. National Science foundation, 2008.
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