Slow Looking: The Art and Practice of Learning Through Observation

by Shari Tishman

Slow Looking provides a robust argument for the importance of slow looking in learning environments both general and specialized, formal and informal, and its connection to major concepts in teaching, learning, and knowledge. A museum-originated practice increasingly seen as holding wide educational benefits, slow looking contends that patient, immersive attention to content can produce active cognitive opportunities for meaning-making and critical thinking that may not be possible though high-speed means of information delivery. Addressing the multi-disciplinary applications of this purposeful behavioral practice, this book draws examples from the visual arts, literature, science, and everyday life, using original, real-world scenarios to illustrate the complexities and rewards of slow looking.

Genres: Art, Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, School

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 12, 2017

Reviews

[Ihor Kolesnyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Чекав більшого, але це хороший вступ до теми про різні евристичні моделі. Цього разу йдеться про повільне вдивляння, яке можна розвивати у сторону або протоколювання різних фактів, або у сторону створення наративу про предмети, або у сторону детальної таксономії. Плюс - спроба провести лінії між різними галузями науки, багато різних прикладів, кілька вправ, які доступні для виконання без попередньої підготовки.

[Carolyn Fitzpatrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This slim little book explains the importance of slowing down and noticing things. I picked it up for art appreciation purposes, but it also applies to scientific observations. Teachers of all subjects and levels will especially benefit from the sections on constructivism, the history of picture books, etc.

[Luca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I get to know this book by the wonderful work that the author (S.Tishman) did in Harvard project zero about critical thinking and art.
I did not know much about what the book was going to be about, but I just wanted to know more about the thoughts and ideas of the author. The book is a little gem about looking and it makes you want to go outside and start looking at the world in a new way.

Tishman is very knowledgable and it is a pleasure to read all the examples she brings in from different historical periods, part of the world and fields of study. You will read about art, history, observing birds, walking from one end of the world to the other, wunderkammer, pedagogy, fish bones and much more. All with the intent to show the power of taking more time when looking at things.

I think that this book is slightly more interesting for people working as educators(school, museum, institutions but also parents) but it is very easy to read and anybody can find something interesting in it. Sometimes I was not sure what the book was trying to tell me, but in the last chapter comes a beautiful conclusion (that could have been longer for my taste) that put everything in perspective in a simple but scientific and reasonable way.

[Brenda Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by my docent friends at the SAAM. I think they read it for a book club. I liked the first half of the book better than the second half because it seemed more relevant to what I was wanting out of it. The second part was more theoretical and textbook like. My takeaway - I have started practicing more of what Tishman calls "slow looking" in art as well as on my walks around the neighborhood. There is much to see when you take time to really see it.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an assignment for my ongoing training as a docent at the Des Moines Art Center and although it was dry at times, I found most of it fascinating in explaining the benefits of slowing down, looking and thinking about art, nature, your neighborhood, anything really...

[Richfield Branch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the first half over the second. First half (especially Chapters 2-3) gives ideas and suggestions on how to slow look. From Slow Walking observations to slow journalism.
Second half was more on the educational history/background to justify slow looking.

[Estefania Pereira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for my university thesis. It was interesting, over all the documents I have read about slow looking this one feels like the most complete of them, making it incredibly necessary.

[zora]

crammed this for a research project draft due tomorrow. fighting off sleep