PROBLEM PARAMETERS AND PROBLEM FINDING IN ART EDUCATION

The significance of problem parameters in art education is examined. P roblem parameters are delineated by the art instructor in the problem finding stage of the creative process before problem solving occurs. P roblem parameters define problems and focus students' creative process es. In the delivery of an assignment, the art teacher presents problem parameters to students and students respond to parameters. A model is proposed illustrating the relationship between the presented problem pa ra meters of a rt assignments and the creative processes of student s. Characteristics of the instructional implementations of parameters are examined: Incomplete Parameters: Overly and Inadequately Restricti ve Parameters; and Expanding and Contracting Parameters. Student respo nses to parameters are explored: Disregarded, Self-Imposed, and Stretc hed Parameters. The implications of the model in art education are dis cussed.