Tyler DeWitt's recent TED talk about the importance of making science fun is applicable to all subject areas, including visual art. I was and am still that student who is intimidated by verbose, technical textbooks, especially any relating to science. Last semester, I took a 100-level biology course and ended up leaving my textbook in the corner to collect dust, because the text didn't make sense to me and thus didn't supplement my learning (it has a whopping two star average on Amazon). The examples DeWitt provides in his presentation are an accurate representation of what I see when I open a science textbook: technical jargon I have to reread and reread and dissect until it's slightly more comprehensible. This is a sad state for science education, especially given the recent emphasis on STEM fields due to the low rates of scientific literacy and struggling economy.
But I'd like to expand DeWitt's discussion to other areas of education. As a future art teacher and a current student with a history of easily becoming bored, I know how necessary it is to engage students during certain lessons. Take perspective drawing, for example. I don't know if this skill is even required anywhere or if I will ever teach it myself, but knowledge of perspective can drastically improve the quality of a drawing (realistic or not). The problem with perspective drawing is that it's mathematical, precise, void of emotion. So, as an art teacher, if I want to teach perspective drawing effectively, I need to find a way to make it engaging. In order to do so, I need to make perspective drawing relatable to students, and this may involve using storytelling as DeWitt did with his virus lesson. Many teachers will have students draw an interior room to decorate. This can work, but maybe I can push it even further for students. I'm not sure, but it's definitely something to think about.
I'll close with a quote from DeWitt that sums up the heart of his talk: "Make me laugh. Make me care."
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