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A study of visual culture and its impact on Adolescent identity

Helser, Kelly J.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1413361945

Abstract Details

2004, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Art Education.
In this action research study, I investigate the impact of visual culture on the formation of identity on two classes of high school youths. There are two parts to the study. In the first I explore a unit of instruction presented to a Painting One class at a public high school. The second part of the study is focused on interpretations of the student paintings by a class of Art Foundations students. I present an exploration of critical writings, classroom discussions, student art work and student interpretations. In part one I began the study by surveying students about ways that visual culture impacts their lives and sense of identity. Their critical writings about an advertisement, favorite childhood toy, T.V. show and clothing were vital to the study as students revealed detailed aspects of visual culture that they relate to on a daily basis. They discussed images of visual culture and the way they feel that people of all ages respond to such things. Students created identity paintings that reflect their personalities and the influences of visual culture upon their self-images. They also wrote about their works’ meanings and interpreted each other’s paintings. In part two a group of Art Foundations students participated in an interpretive session to extract possible meaning from the aforementioned paintings. In part one, the students responded very positively to this experience. They learned more about themselves in relationship to the world around them. They enjoyed completing the survey and writing critically because they brought up relevant questions to be addressed about their identities. The painting assignment was the most challenging but rewarding for the students because we discovered similarities as well as differences among some students. The painting students interpreted their own works and those of classmates which showed that the students had grasped ways to express themselves in meaningful ways. In part two I found that students built meaningful interpretations in a communal setting. This study will be significant for teachers who wish to address issues that arise in popular, visual culture. The study also provides a venue for teaching students to be aware of the way their environments affect who they are. This study will also be of interest to researchers who wish to utilize action research methodology.
Terry Barrett (Advisor)
Sydney Walker (Committee Member)
89 p.
Art Education

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Helser, K. J. (2004). A study of visual culture and its impact on Adolescent identity [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1413361945

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Helser, Kelly. A study of visual culture and its impact on Adolescent identity. 2004. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1413361945.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Helser, Kelly. "A study of visual culture and its impact on Adolescent identity." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1413361945

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1413361945
6,484
© 2004, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.