Museum of Modern Art NY Pilot Visual Thinking Curriculum Study

Years I-III

Fall 1991-Spring 1994

Principal Researcher: Abigail Housen
Senior Research Associate: Karin DeSantis

Treatment: Pilot Visual Thinking Curriculum Version I

Assessment tools: Biannual Aesthetic Development Interviews, questionnaires, teacher debriefings, teacher logs, teacher reports, mentor reports, writing exercises

Subjects:
Experimental:
31 4th-5th grade
33 4th-6th grade

Control:
45 4th grade
28 5th grade
27 6th grade Total Subjects: 164

Findings:

The analysis of the pre and post ADIS showed that there was a change in the stage distribution of experimentals, no change in controls. 41% of experimentals gain. There was a significant difference in the lengths of pre and post ADIs of experimental and control groups. Experimental subjects show an increase in speculative thinking, questioning comments, justifications, and formal remarks. Participation led to a positive change in attitudes to art. Teachers, administrators and parents report transfer of critical and creative thinking among students. School principals also report school change, which they attribute to the program.

Site Coordinator: Nancy Lee Miller (Yr. I)