Research Translation II - Torbett

LTC 8750 – Research In Art Education

Russell Torbett – Graduate Student

Summer 2012

                  Art is prevalent all around us.  It encompasses everything we see in one way, shape, or form.  It even has its place in the prisons of New Jersey.  Carleton Palmer conducted a qualitative study over the course of 6 years, spanning from 2000 – 2005, in which efforts were made to create a successful art program for the incarcerated youth at the Nassau County Correctional Center in Long Island, New York.

                  In the research article presented, the problem was not clearly stated, but was made evident throughout the article.  The obvious challenge dealt mainly with the physical constraints of building a successful digital media-based art program for inmate youths.  The were many variables addressed, which mainly focused on the art-making process of the youngsters as they were making their way through the program. 

                  The research seemed well organized, as the author took you through the processes that were used, the materials, the programs, and the cognitive result of the approaches to the problem.  I found that most sources were relevant, as they dealt with the many types of leaning styles, the operational definitions of artistic processes, cognitive styles, science and art, and the implementation of the usefulness of concepts that were applied.

The main hypothesis or theory of the subject matter dealt mainly with the idea that more must be done with less.  In other words, there was little to work with, and that a lot must be done in order to prove the program successful.  The hypothesis is an extremely directional one that flowed from the simplest elements needed through the programs, hardware, and software (which were limited).  It then turned towards the inmate’s ability to successfully filter cognitive learning skills while using the limited resources.

Adequate measurement tools were used, as each specific device, whether hardware or software were described in detail.  This simply gave you a clear understanding of what each inmate had to work with, how they were to be used, and how using these tools can help them discover a developmental method of creating a complete, digital work of art.  Most tools were qualitative in measurement and carried a sound description of the result.  The selection process of these measurement tools are defined in most of the descriptions, which seemed to give the reader an adequate grasp on the problem of working with minimal, dated materials in a restricted and contained environment.  Obviously (and as stated in the article), software became dated quickly, which brought about numerous additional challenges for the instructor.

The end result was summarized in saying that there are potential differences between the traditional and digital processes that influence aesthetic decision-making in the instructional context of the program. It is also stated in the conclusion that due to the success of the program, hundreds of youths have been introduced to the concept of digital art-making, the realities of the digital art culture, and the importance of applied decision-making concepts.  These examples can only define a successful art education program for the incarcerated youth at the Nassau County Correctional Center.