The Effects of Choice-Based Art Education on Student Engagement and Student Mood

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate that Choice-Based Art Education (CBAE) increases student engagement and student mood. The study was conducted with fourth, fifth and sixth grade students in a traditional art classroom environment. I examined the way the class is run, the effects it had on student engagement, and the benefits to student mood. Engagement was measured in several different ways. Student participation and project completion were two of the ways that data was collected. The data indicated that student engagement is higher in a Choice-Based Art Education environment. This form of teaching art was created by elementary teachers Katherine Douglas and John Crowe in the 1970s. In the CBAE classroom, students are given the freedom to explore multiple media and to create their own projects. Students are more engaged and have a better mental status when leaving class. The data suggested that students took on more challenging art supplies and were more engaged and in better spirits by the end of class.