Research Translation #2

Whoops! Looking over my posts, I realized I never posted my second research translation and it was sitting in my drafts. Here it is, better late than never...

Research Translation #2

Commodity Fetishism: Material Origins of Objects We Love by Elizabeth Garber

RESEARCH PROBLEM 

The research problem is not clearly stated. Partially I believe because of its qualitative nature, and the author's intent to discover what students' reactions and capabilities would be if taught art in a way that focuses not solely on art making, but in looking at and analyzing our material and visual culture. The Author does a good job at laying out previous and corroborating research that directly applies to the issues she is exploring with her class. Since this is a qualitative research project and the variables so many, they are not defined and instead it is presented more as a reflection or case study even.

LITERATURE REVIEW

The research is well organized and supports descriptions from the events that happened in class. It also nicely supports the decision and desire to teach this type of lesson. The sources are mostly from the last 15 years, with a few from the last 30 that still seem to be very relevant and informed the more current sources. The research sources are of course secondary, but the case study is a primary source outlining what is like to teach students material culture through the analysis of objects.    

RESEARCH QUESTIONS or HYPOTHESES

No, the hypothesis / question was not stated clearly. It was more of a reflection on an experience and then also reflections on the indications of the outcome. 

DATA SOURCES/SAMPLING  

Again, the data source was not clearly described. The article is more concerned with outling the project, the way it was taught, what the students examined, and the outcome. The author also reflected on what she deemed to be a successful lesson. The author did not describe what type of class this was, how many students participated, or even age group. 

MEASUREMENT TOOLS 

The author used student artwork to analyze the data as well as classroom observations. 

METHODOLOGY/PROCEDURES 

The author was very descriptive in laying out the lesson and what students did as they studied material culture and their objects. She clearly shared her questions that she presented to her students and some examples of how they answered them. There wasn't a wrap up at the end of whether she felt a certain percentage of students were successful or any information on how this project would inform future teachings of this lesson.

RESULTS 

Since the research was more about observing results of a new teaching method, there were not specific research questions to be answered other that "what happens when students investigate personal objects as a part of a material culture?" The case study was an interesting read and it would be interesting to read more about how this would carry forth into future projects.

DISCUSSION 

Reading about this current type of teaching method is interesting and relevant in the discussion of where art education in the 21st century is moving. Examples like this help build a case for curriculums to be developed broadening the scope of how we teach art and visual culture, not just continuing to focus on media, elements & principles.  For me this article will be beneficial to future research and a good place to refer for additional sources to investigate as I move forward with evolving my curriculum and lessons.