Creating Minds, an Analytical study of Using Brain Based Learning in Visual Arts and Design Education

Abstract

"What is creativity?" "How creative can I get?" "I do have many creative ideas, but I can't get my hands todraw them!" As an architecture and interior architecture educator, the author always hears this type ofquestions from the students especially the freshmen. They always blame their hands and strive to developtheir free-hand way of drawing while the problem has nothing to do with these hands. It is their way ofthinking and perception which they practice daily while knowing nothing about its course of action. BrainBased Learning offers the knowledge of the structure and functions of the organ of thinking, the brain, andhow to utilize that in education.But to many, the term "brain-based learning" sounds redundant. Isn’t all learning and teaching brainbased?The answer is, yes, but there is a difference between "brain-compatible" education, and "brainantagonistic"teaching practices and methods which can actually prevent learning (Lisa Chipongian).Learning must go beyond memorization to include goal directed learning that allows the student to emergewith a new idea or realization, in another word to be creative.This study started with the assumption that using brain based learning enhances the capability of visualart and design students to control over their Creativity Progressive Stages. The study started with a deepcross-disciplinary search about the brain creative capabilities and the teaching strategies that get the best and design. The study Proposed 6 additional Principles for brain based arts and design education. Thatled to modification of the brain based learning Instructional Approach to be applicable for art and designeducation and the result was suggested 6 steps course structure, for beginners, which trains and activatetheir creative brain and allow them to control over their Creativity Progressive Stages..use of these capabilities and end up with a new integrated view of the brain based learning for visual art