How to use VTS
- Project artwork. Choose a work that is not abstract.
- Ask students to look closely and silently at it for a minute or two.
- Three questions guide the discussion. Open with: “What’s going on here?” Summarize student responses using conditional language (“Raoul thinks this could be…”). This keeps the conversation open to other interpretations by other students. If appropriate: “What do you see that makes you say that?” This encourages students to back up their statements with things they see in the work of art. Ask the group: “What more can we find?” This continues the conversation.
Tips for using VTS
- During discussion, link responses together—compare and contrast what other students have said.
- Avoid inserting information. Let students look closely and reason out their responses, rather than discussing the facts. If a student comes to a factually incorrect conclusion, gently correct if absolutely necessary during your classroom lesson, not during the VTS conversation.
- Allow the conversation to go where it will, even if it gets off topic. Remember, the goal is not to share information, but to encourage critical thinking.
- At the end of the conversation, continue with your lesson, linking the content with comments that students made.