Problems of Practice in the 'Richardson Methods' : On Criticism in G.H. Hooperu27s Letter

摘要

The purpose of this paper is to examine the Richardson Methods, especially regarding to its practical issues by reconsidering the criticism from the then His Majestyu27s Inspector George Herbert Hooper. The Richardson Methods were developed by Marion Richardson (1892-1946), who pioneered learner centered art education based on the pupilsu27 innerimagery. Hooper wrote to Richardson after the observation of her class, and his criticism in the letter has been a basis of the view that the methods were strongly tied up with Richardson,s personal character so that it is not understandable or transferable to others. I tried to reexamine this view by referring to Richardsonu27s syllabus, lecture notes, her pupils, works etc. The topics including the relation between teacheru27s leadership and learner centered education, the two principles of Richardsonu27s reaching, the problem of the "resemblance" of works in the class, Richardsonu27s view on the Cizek Schoolu27s exhibition, and the political purpose and bias of the Inspectoru27s letter were discussed in the paper. In conclusion, it was pointed out that the Inspectoru27s criticism to the leanersu27 spontaneous expression, to the continuation of it after adolescence, and to the transference of the methods to the others were not necessarily based on a full understanding of her teaching. And we can have a possibility to open up a way to the further development of the methods in our education.