REFERENCE MATERIAL
The home of the future will become more and more an art laboratory for the homemaker. When housewives make a serious study of art in the home—and this may be manifest in the preparation of food as well as in the color arrangement of the house—there will be better homes as well as houses.—Richard Allen.
USE OF REFERENCE MATERIAL
A wide use of reference material is essential in the successful teaching of art through the use of problems. Many sources of information are necessary for pupils to evaluate tentative conclusions and to verify final conclusions as well as for elaboration of facts. Reference to several different authorities will reveal to students the fact that there are differences of opinion regarding art and will help in making them realize the importance of weighing information thoroughly before accepting conclusions. In other words, it is valuable in preventing pupils from jumping to conclusions or accepting hasty conclusions.
This suggests that several books for reference are preferable to a single text. However, many teachers favor the plan of providing three or four copies of the best books for class use rather than single copies of every art book that is published.
In support of the use of references rather than single texts, the following points are made:
1. Opportunity is offered for pupils to verify and elaborate on information.
2. More pupils will have contact with the best references.
3. Resourcefulness in the pupil will be better developed.
4. Teachers are challenged to make better selection of books as well as better use of them.