| Summary: | Formulation of a Visual Stimuli Kit designed as an aid to developing Visual Awareness for Grade 3, 4, and 5 school children by the elementary classroom teacher.
In the elementary school, perception is important in many areas of the curriculum. Contemporary art education theorists have become more concerned with the development of children's visual perception as an integral part of the art program.
Although there are adequate books and periodicals for teachers about art education theory and method, there is a lack of useful, easily understood, simple to use visual aids.
This researcher's aim was to provide the means for teachers to develop perception with the help of visual aids. This kit was designed in such a way as to be easily used by the generalist classroom teacher without specialist training in art, or art education.
After reviewing literature in the general area of visual perception
and when selecting images for the kit, the researcher believed that two considerations were of paramount importances the relation of the image to the child's own environment; and the relation of the image to the interests of children. Consideration was given not only to the image but to the relationship between two views of the same object. The views of two independent evaluators were sought for clarification of and assessment
of the potential kit.
The potential kit was composed of black and white, 11" x 14" prints made after taking photographs of environmental areas and articles
considered generally interesting to children and adults. An examination revealed that many prints were unsuitable for various reasons. The researcher
also found that many needed modification because of insufficient content for detailed analysis. Additional enlarged photographs were made and included in each set. Questions were compiled and photographs were mounted in preparation for pilot testing.
Pilot testing was undertaken with a grade 4 and a grade 5 class from two public schools in Vancouver. Visuals were shown and questions were asked about each. Responses were recorded and analysed. It was concluded that the Visual Stimuli Kit would be suitable for further use with only one visual omitted. Previous testing had suggested reportable differences in overall thinking and perception between grade k and grade 5. Large differences were revealed in degree of perception and children's critical thinking. Further testing was carried out with grade 3, 4 and 5 children with responses tabulated and analysed. Grade 4 children with previous perceptual training showed differences in quality of responses. Results from classroom testing gave positive indications of the suitability
of the Visual Stimuli Kit for classroom use. === Education, Faculty of === Graduate
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