How we can use art to enhance learning.

 

This is a WW I Memorial placed in Vácrátót, Hungary. It is a masterpiece because it symbolises the consequence WW I had on Hungarian families. It evokes human loss and sacrifice strikingly well. The war took parents away from families. The families have a big whole which is impossible to cover. All the members of the family feel the absence of the beloved one. The names of the soldiers who died at war are written at the bottom of the piece of art.

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We could use this WWI memorial to help students to develop their critical and creative thinking. Even though it is quite simple, its meaning is really heartbreaking. This image could be used to help students to develop self-awareness, if they reflect upon the feelings the monument and its meaning arises in them. They can also develop awareness of others, if they try to explain why the sculptor designed such a piece of art or how families feel at the sight of such an artwork.

A)     We could ask questions such as:

·         What can you see in the photo?

·         Why do you think this piece of art has been created?

·         Can you explain what the memorial represents?

·         What’s missing in the piece of art? Why do you think it’s missing?

·         How do you feel at the sight of such an artwork?

·         How would you define the image?

·         Have you ever seen something similar anywhere?

 

B)      We could also ask students to work individually first, writing 5 words that come to their minds when they see the memorial.

Then, they could form groups of 4 and each of them should explain why they have thought of the words in their lists.

This activity would encourage students to interact and, since they would be stating their point about personal feelings, they would focus on getting their message across rather than on grammatical accuracy. Nevertheless, the fact that they have to speak their minds in front of their classmates, would enhance their effort to be communicatively efficient.

 

C)      Another task could be to ask students to write a piece of news or a diary entry (depending on the level of proficiency of students in the group) to introduce the photo of the memorial.