Knowledge in the art field

just for a moment... sit back, notice all of the things around you, it could be items designed for desk organization, speakers for your latest modeled computer, the desk you happen to have it on... lets also venture outside to the places you've seen, was there anything there that hasn't been documented by artists? Google is a nice little way of testing this, if you look up a car, you get representations documented by photographs and drawings, if you look up something as simple as the sky you get the same. Knowledge is everywhere if you look for it.

Specifically in the art field their is art history found in books and can be traveled to, the how-to's and techniques are discovered in the past with zone friendly media (ie. stone, concrete, etc.). However in the classroom these resources are helpful ideas but it is more likely for the student to develop their take on the materials used. How does it feel? What form does it take? Is it challenging to work with? Are all mental notations used by the artist developing their sense of understanding to the work they may be completing. All of which start a mental log of remembrance toward the materials used, the functions they could develop, and most often than not (depending on the age of the student) the favoritism or hatred of the particular style or media. All of these things and many others help develop knowledge in the art field because art is not only a visual subject, but also a very hands-on, engaging subject that empowers students to learn not only on their own but with the help of their past experiences and the world's past approaches to art as well.

Also just a thought, in the classroom too, the action of developing is seen through works, styles, expressions, whether or not the students experiment, play, all of these factors mean the student is learning and processing the knowledge needed for perhaps the next step.