Introduction
This guide contains links to resources that may be helpful for your EAST 2321 final projects. Use the tabs on the left (or at the top of the page on mobile) to learn more about:
Archival Research - Information about archival materials at Coates Library Special Collections & Archives
Other Sources - Digitized primary sources, secondary sources, and other resources related to Learning About Learning
Creating Omeka Exhibits - Resources for creating your digital exhibit
Learning About Learning History
The Learning About Learning Educational Foundation, a non-profit organization, was developed out of Trinity University’s theater director Paul Baker’s philosophy and instructional course, the Integration of Abilities. The basis of this concept focused on the development of the creative potential of children through integrated arts. Baker taught this course at both Baylor University and Trinity. This approach was also applied at Baylor University’s Children’s Theater and Trinity’s Ideas in Motion children's theater program. Kitty Baker and Jearnine Wagner reflected on this process in Our Theater: A Place for Ideas (Principia Press, 1966).
In 1967 the Hogg Foundation and the Brackenridge Foundation provided funding to work with educators to investigate the applications of this approach in practical school environments.
In 1971, Jearnine Wagner, with former Trinity University students Cynthia Herbert, Sally Howell, Mary Jean McCullough, Charles Jarrell, Julia Jarrell, Johnny Gutierrez and later Susan Marcus and Susie Monday created Learning About Learning which was affiliated with the university.
The purpose of the foundation was to develop and operate programs for children that taught skills on how to apply their creativity to enrich their daily lives and learning experiences.
Projects included the Lab School for educational research, developing teacher training materials, creating educational activity kits distributed through Kid Concern, Inc., and the operation of the Idea Workshop family center.
With continuing support of the San Antonio District and Trinity University the group was able to develop over the next 15 years a diversified income base, a friends support group, and a wide range of local, regional and national funding partners to explore the challenges of integrating the philosophy of creative work into a broader array of children’s everyday lives.