Integrating the Visual Arts into Writing: Effects on Student Learning and Engagement

By conducting a qualitative study, the impact of visual arts in writing for students was investigated. A literature review analyzed existing data supporting the incorporation of the visual arts into the writing curriculum. Two open-ended, semi-structured interviews were conducted with classroom teachers to gain insight on their opinions and classroom practices regarding the visual arts and writing. A third participant offered insights of visual arts integration into writing through written correspondence. Results revealed that all three participants agreed that visual arts integration in writing had a positive effect on student engagement. An investigation into how student learning was impacted by visual arts integration into writing yielded positive yet inconclusive results. Participants offered insight on effective strategies and barriers in their classrooms relating to the integration of visual arts into the writing curriculum. The data gathered in the study can be used to inform educators the impacts of integrating the visual arts into the writing curriculum