Kelsi Brosnahan Visual Thinking Strategies Between Peers LTC 8750

RESEARCH TOPIC PROPOSAL ABSTRACT

Statement of Problem​: Utilizing VTS in a traditional manner can be beneficial for

students visual growth, however there is no extensive look at how students using VTS
on peers artwork can benefit their growth. There is a hole in the information in how
students utilize VTS on each other that needs to be explored further. I want to look into
the connections that are taking place in the peer interaction when VTS is being utilized.
The purpose of this research is to get a better understanding of how a student
developed in their artistic process. This research will produce a deeper understand for
student in their artistic process and give educators a better understanding on how to
utilize VTS beyond the image.

Research Questions and sub questions/Hypothesis​:

Main Question​:

How does utilizing visual thinking strategies for peer reflecting develop a deeper
understanding for ones art process and product at the elementary level?

Sub Questions:

How is the process of a students art making developed through peer VTS?

Does peer VTSing affect the final product of a students art piece?
Would VTSing peers art pieces produce an ownership for one's own piece and art
program?

Related Research:

Theoretical Framework​: Students can develop a deeper understanding of their artistic

process and their artwork from VTSing their artwork with their peers. This can be done
through the use of a grounded theory method, collecting the data first to see the trends
of development through the process.

Key Literature Areas to be included​: There were will be several scholarly articles that
will be used as a resource.

Key Terms to be Defined​: Grounded Theory, Ontology , Epistemology, ​ ​Case Study,

Art Based

Permissions & Protection of Human Rights: ​I will be conducting this research in my

classroom. I will need to have permission from students and parents if I end up
publishing or presenting what was found.
Kelsi Brosnahan Visual Thinking Strategies Between Peers LTC 8750

Anticipated Problems in Conducting Research:​ I anticipate that I will have problems

with time. I only see my students every third day for about 40 minutes. I want to make
sure they have a decent amount of time for everyone to VTS. This can be a problem
when students are absent. Also, making sure that I have the right resources to record
the data. I will have to use my personal computer or recording devices for videotaping
and audio recording.

Data Sources: Video of peer VTSing - ​Recording the interactions between the
students as they VTS each other pieces of artwork. ​Student visual journals -
Students will use their journals to record their process and their thinking from the start to
the finished product including their VTS discussions. ​Surveys - ​There will be a pre and
post survey for students to fill out, this will show were their own identity as an artist
stands.

Methods and Data Analysis:​ Coding data - Looking for related patterns and
information and categorizing from recorded VTS sessions. Grounded theory - Builds
from the coding data by bringing a logical verification of a substantive theory. Survey -
Quantitatively looking at the percentages from the answers to see where the students
fall in their thinking.

Instrumentation/Measurement Tools:​ Videotaping, Visual Journals, Written

statements, Interviews- Audio and Video, Questionnaires

Respondents: ​This research will take place with my 4th grade students.

Intended Sampling Procedures​: This will be done through the videotaping and audio
recordings of interviews with students. The artist writings about the process and their art
pieces will be used as well to make connections between the peer VTSing and their art
process.

Data Collection and Analysis Procedures: ​I will have video recording of the students
peer VTSing, I will pick out patterns and connections that students are creating through
the process. I will also have students visual process along with their artist statements.
These will all the qualitative data that I will be connecting.

Timeline: ​This research will be conducted throughout the 2018-2019 school year.

Discussion/Possible Findings: ​I hoping this research will give teachers an insight into
how students can develop their artistic process through peer VTSing. This research will
improve students relationships and knowledge in communication through the arts. I am
hoping that this research will produce a new way of peer critiquing that is uplifting and
confidence building for students.