Mastery of a Lesson Based on Behaviorism and Social Cognitive Learning Theories

     From a Behaviorist standpoint, I would base the students' mastery of learning off of what I've observed while they completed the tasks. I would not be able to focus on their minds and how they might have inwardly grown creatively and intellectually. So I would focus on their behaviors and how they performed the task at hand. For instance, I might make a rubric on a project that had the following categories, how well the student planned for the art piece (their sketchbook drawings), their use of the techniques demonstrated in class, efficiency of in class time and if they finished it by the due date, how well they cleaned up and took care of the art supplies, and their written reflection at the end. I would grade them based on their behaviors in these areas to determine if they mastered the lesson.
     Personally in the art world, I prefer the Social Cognitive Theory of Learning. From this standpoint, I would model the different techniques we were learning in class and give good demonstrations on new mediums they haven't used before. Social Cognitive Theory relies heavily on students observing other people to learn. When planning for their assignment and coming up with ideas, I would have them do a group discussion where they can bounce ideas off of each other and respond to each others concepts with their own thoughts and opinions. One of the main factors of SCT of learning is self efficacy. With this theory of learning I might not grade their mastery of the lesson on how well I believe they did or how "good'' i think their art is. Instead, I will determine if they feel they did a good job, they feel comfortable using the new techniques and tools demonstrated, if they liked their idea, developed it with their peers, and then acted on it, and if all together they communicated something to the outside world through their art. Art is very relative and subjective. I think its more important for the students to be proud of themselves than perfection. If they liked their art, felt good about it, and enjoyed doing it, then they mastered the lesson.