Computer teachers led students on virtual museum tours and facilitated online dialogues with poets and playwrights. They listened online to rare original recordings of Aboriginal chants. All of these teachers helped students connect with content by way of aesthetic experiences. In our teacher education program, we weave an understanding and valuing of aesthetics into the first course and continue this thread throughout the program. As we introduce prospective teachers to the historical and sociological foundations of education in the first semester, we discuss the meaning of aesthetics in their lives, and consider its importance in American education.
Students read and discuss journal articles related to aesthetics in their content areas.
In their classroom observations, part of their assignment is to look for classroom aesthetics and reflect on its value in both teaching and learning. To strengthen our students'aesthetic knowledge, we require them to produce a project that ties aesthetics to their content specialty. Students respond enthusiastically to the challenge, using drawing, painting, sculpture, craft, music, dance, rhythm, poetry, or drama as vehicles for enhancing learning. In the course on classroom management, students design aesthetic classrooms and bulletin boards. They enter the classroom aware of their potential to influence students' awareness and appreciation of beauty.