Algorithmic vs. Heuristic Tasks
In one of the (older) Sparks Journals, I came across an issue called
Killing The Goose: Conflicts Between Pedagogy and Politics in The Delivery of an Arts Education (file:///Users/foundation/Downloads/Teaching%20methods%20in%20creative%20disciplines%20(Journal%20Article,%202005).pdf/ 02/02/2023/ Ruth Dineen & Elspeth Collins)
Within it was a part about Algorithmic and Heuristic tasks that helped me understand both what the different terms mean, and which approach I use in my teaching and why it works
Algorithmic tasks tend to be step by step routes leading to desired results; for instance when I observed James he was teaching a workshop called Trouser elements. He explained the steps from measuring the garment through to producing a zip fly for the students to then reproduce by copying his ‘steps’.
On the other hand Heuristic tasks don’t have to have an identifiable goal, although they may. Unlike the Algorithmic task the Heuristic approach has no road map; the learners navigate their own way through the territory, which maybe new to them, employing existing knowledge and experience and crucially creative intuition. They may have an idea of where they are heading but won’t initially know what steps to take or the know how to get there
Algorithmic Tasks don’t demand creative thinking, Heuristic Tasks do.
Algorithmic approach vs. heuristic approach
When thinking about my Projection Workshop I see that it’s an Heuristic task that I am setting. I introduce a range of equipment, how to use it and encourage risk taking and ‘play’. This gives the students a sense of ownership as they direct the way they wish to work; the learners are fully involved in making and finding solutions to their ideas