Visual Thinking Strategies

Visual Thinking Strategies is based on the research of cognitive psychologist Abigail Housen and the former director of education at MoMA, Philip Yenawine.

In 1988 they began to explore aesthetic development and the relationship of cognitive thinking to aesthetic thinking. From their collaborative efforts they developed VTS which is learner- centered method that uses art to teach critical thinking skills, communication skills and visual literacy.

VTS uses three precise questions, paraphrasing and non-judgmental affirmations to facilitated discussion in which participants practice problem solving skills. Although this program has been developed as an educational tool for elementary schools and museums it has recently been used by the Harvard Medical School as part of their training and utilized in Cincinnati as a diversity training technique.