There is a pressing need to increase math performance in higher education, but that doesn’t mean we should neglect the importance of art. The results of higher math scores have been linked to better thinking, improved motivation, and improved graduation rates. And yet, art education is undervalued, particularly in the United States. This article will look at some of the key reasons why art education is important. Read on to learn more about the benefits of art in higher education.
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Art Education Improves Test Scores
A study published in 1999 found that students with strong arts involvement scored higher on standardized tests than their peers. However, correlation does not equal causation. While the arts might be a good way to improve test scores, they also may be responsible for higher attendance rates. Regardless, it’s a fascinating study nonetheless. Here are a few ways art can improve test scores:
Arts-integrated programs have been associated with higher test scores across the curriculum. Furthermore, they appear to have a greater impact on struggling students. Studies have also shown that students who attend arts-integrated schools have higher test scores than their peers in traditional schools. And students with high arts involvement also showed greater aptitude in math, science, and communication. These benefits are significant enough to draw many art students to online colleges in Missouri.
Arts education may also boost test scores and graduation rates. Despite the potential conflict between art education and traditional measures of academic success, there are other benefits that cannot be measured through test scores. For example, students who take arts education classes see an 11 percent increase in ELA proficiency scores compared to those who do not. These benefits go beyond academics, which are linked to fewer discipline issues. They also have better odds of finishing college.
Improves motivation
The current study aimed to investigate whether consuming art exhibits can enhance intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy in students. This study measured four different aspects of students’ engagement with art, including reading about art, viewing art, and participating in artistic activities. The frequency of art exposure was also measured, as was the number of times students viewed original artwork. In addition, the authors calculated the effect size for each variable.
Providing rewards for good performance is a proven method to motivate students in the arts. These incentives are attractive to students at any level, including university-level education. Similarly, giving praise is a popular way to boost motivation. However, in our study, we found that most participants said that providing rewards is the most effective way to improve student motivation in art classes. This method works well for both male and female students, and it’s effective in motivating them.
The effects of intrinsic motivation are limited if students can’t learn at their own pace. On the other hand, extrinsic motivation is beneficial for students, even when they’re not progressing as quickly as they would have otherwise. Artistic education teaches students to pursue their passions and become more motivated. The benefits of this approach are numerous. The article explores how the science of motivation impacts the educational setting and the learning process.
Art in Higher Education Improves thinking
The National Gallery of Art offers a course called “Teaching Critical Thinking Through Art,” based on a professional development program they run for teachers in Washington, D.C. The course will explore how art can help students develop their thinking dispositions and how they apply that knowledge to solving complex problems. Anyone can take the course, regardless of subject or level, and it requires concentrated attention and experimentation. The course is taught by Shari Tishman, principal investigator at Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Research shows that students are better able to handle stress after participating in a creative activity, such as creating art. Art production changes the brain’s wiring, improving areas that help manage stress. Students who participated in a creative activity showed greater psychological resilience, which may help them cope better with stressful situations in the future. In addition, students who took an art class reported higher levels of self-esteem. That’s a win-win situation.
The benefits of arts education extend beyond test scores. Students who experience art have higher levels of empathy, which can help them deal with social and cultural diversity. This type of learning requires students to consider alternative viewpoints, different perspectives, and different ideas in order to arrive at a rational conclusion. It’s not always easy to teach such a complex skill, but art education can help them develop it. If you want to improve your students’ critical thinking skills, consider taking an online master’s degree program in art education.
Improves graduation rates
There are many factors that affect college graduation rates. For example, the School of Visual Arts reports 100% graduation rates for its classes of 2015. This compares to an average of 36.0% for full-time students and 37.8% for part-time students. However, the School of Visual Arts also reports that no student dropped out. The program’s success may lie in its high graduation rates among part-time students, which can be a factor for many institutions.
The benefits of art study are numerous. For starters, it gives students a creative outlet. Additionally, students who do not take art classes may have difficulty mastering their core subjects. They also tend to experience higher dropout rates and disciplinary issues. This means that the arts can make all kinds of people feel more comfortable with differences. Overall, it can improve students’ lives. But there’s more to it than that.
One study found that students with a higher art participation rate graduated three percent higher than students with no art experience. Arts participation was linked to higher occupational aspirations and majors aligned with those of a professional career. More than half of low SES students who had high art experiences in high school expected to pursue a professional career in their future, as opposed to only 21 percent of students who had no art experience.
Art in Higher Education Improves fluid IQ
Studies show that incorporating art into higher education boosts fluid IQ. Art improves fluid intelligence by increasing the flow of information from one mind to another. These findings are consistent with other studies showing that students who participate in arts courses have a more excellent fluid IQ than those who do not. The benefits of art education are well known, but they are often overlooked in higher education. Here are three ways art can improve your fluid IQ.
The first method involves the application of idioms and other elaborations of language. When you have a vocabulary of many idioms and synonyms, you are able to understand the meaning of words better. These skills are important to improve your fluid IQ. Art education improves your idiomatic language and comprehension skills, which are fundamental in modern society. These skills are essential in our daily lives, but they can also be used to improve our fluid IQ.
ANOVA analysis shows the most prominent difference between the groups. ROC analysis helps determine appropriate placement. It includes seven tests and three phases. This method was used to analyze interview data and identify the best way to assess fluid IQ. The most common tests were the general IQ and the idioms test. The interviews were conducted in three phases. After each phase, the data was analyzed. The analysis included the scores of students with different IQ levels and their attitudes toward the program.
Improves motor skills
Fine motor skills play a significant role in a child’s future. Fine motor skills develop during the early childhood years, so it’s crucial to develop them at a young age. Arts and crafts activities are a great way to practice these skills, and children will have fun doing them. Children who play with paintbrushes and string beads practice important motor skills. Other arts and crafts activities can develop these skills through manipulating materials.
Fine motor skills can be developed through doing simple drawing exercises and tracing paper. Practicing hand-eye coordination while tracing with a pencil can help develop muscles in the fingers. Fine-tip markers can also be used to trace pencil lines. When coloring, students should use small areas of paper and be sure to color neatly in lines. Fine-tip markers and crayons can also help develop fine motor skills.
Students who engage in art have many benefits. It enhances communication skills, improves attitudes, and increases school attendance and academic performance. Those participating in the arts are three times more likely to receive academic awards and be elected to class office. This is a clear sign that art is beneficial for students in school and higher education. However, despite its many benefits, students should not neglect the importance of arts in education.