Literature Review: 'Using Interdisciplinary Arts Education to Enhance Learning'

Maureen Reilly Lorimer wrote this article from her own point of view as a lecturer in the College of Education at California State University.  She looks at the use of interdisciplinary arts education as a way to 'enhance learning' to suggest a better inclusion of the 'visual and performing arts' within schools.

Using Interdisciplinary Arts Education to Enhance Learning - Maureen Reilly Lorimer

Lorimer looks at the potential of the Performing Arts...

'Although electives and clubs provide arts exposure to a selected few, many students do not receive consistent and high-quality arts experiences (National Center for Education Statistics, 2001).'

This view of Lorimer relates to the U.S, however I believe this is a similar case for England.  Having worked within schools delivering Dance after-school clubs I know that there is certainly a demand for extra-curricular activities for children, even though this can sometimes be seen as a 'baby-sitting service' as discovered from my own experience.  As I am also hired to deliver dance lessons within schools during PE lessons, and also work alongside teachers to provide a 'team teaching' situation, I know that schools are sometimes looking for specialists to provide this level of 'high-quality arts' experiences as Lorimer discusses.  Does this mean that without the expertise of teachers such as myself, the dance lessons provided by the class teachers could sometimes lack in the same experience and therefore not show Dance in its full potential?

INFUSING ARTS INTO THE CURRICULUM- P10

'By weaving the visual arts, music, dance, and drama into other content areas, interdisciplinary arts experiences have the potential to enhance student learning in authentic and meaningful ways.'

This describes Lorimer's views on enhancing learning with these art forms.  The use of 'weaving' could mean that the other content areas are directed in a different way to those who may find that the generic way of teaching a subject, has less impact on the students' learning or understanding. 

Following Lorimer's views on the learning, I would also like to consider how the integration of Performing Arts could give teachers another way of teaching.

'Exploring the details of conceptual themes such as slavery, immigration, and world cultures are enriched through the visual and performing arts.'

As part of my inquiry research I would certainly like to look at suitable themes for which Performing Arts could take a role as part of interdisciplinary learning.  This also links to my review of Hanna's views in 'Partnering Dance and Education'.

BENEFITING FROM ARTS INTEGRATION- P10/11

'Teacher motivation was perceived as an added benefit, with most participants stating that the arts bring joy into the classroom.'

'When asked about the academic benefits they see resulting  from interdisciplinary arts education, several teachers stated that arts-infused learning increased attention to detail and persistence.'

As a teacher I think it is important to look at the benefits Performing Arts could bring to the role of teaching.  Here sees views from teachers after using an integrated form of teaching with the Performing Arts and describing what they feel this infusion brings to the classroom.  I think however, this would always depend on how this was brought across and the subject used to do this.  Have any teachers attempted to use Performing Arts as interdisciplinary learning and felt it hindered the teaching or learning environment?

AN ACTION PLAN FOR PRINCIPALS- P11

'Although many principals would like to infuse the visual and performing arts into classroom instruction, most are limited by lack of time or knowledge, as well as their primary concerns about meeting mandated curriculum standards.'

'Two key factors are required for arts education success: an arts-minded philosophy and strong leadership skills.'

I think it is understandable to note that one reason why Performing Arts may not be used as part of an interdisciplinary teaching or learning tool because of the reasons Lorimer notes here.  From my own experience, some teachers lack confidence in teaching Performing Arts, which is why specialists are sometimes used to deliever lessons which may be seen as a challenge to class teachers.  However this may not be the only reason and as such a realisation of the time and added knowledge to produce these lessons should be considered.

A lot of questions have emerged from this particular piece of literature which I can take through to my inquiry tools.  Hopefully the use of these questions will help me explore my current thinking and develop new ideas and understanding to which I can take through to my future career.

Lorimer, M.R. 2009, "Using Interdisciplinary Arts Education to Enhance Learning", Principal (Reston, Va.) [H.W. Wilson - EDUC], vol. 88, no. 3, pp. 8.