What arts education means to me

The term arts education means teaching a variety of streams from 'the arts' such as dance, drama, music, visual arts, media, poetry and graphic design to name a few. 'It is important to identify which children are talented or have potential as artists and then train them with skills that will hopefully see them successful in this profession.' (O'Toole, 2009) The arts are a wonderful profession potentially for students, but as a teacher it is also useful to involve the arts, such as music, in daily activities to engage, stimulate, relax and/or stir the imagination of the students. Young people also use the arts to communicate through the discourses of visual art, design, music, drama and dance. A voice or message expressed in this way can be just as important as verbal or written communication. Learning the foundations of the arts is important as a teacher to instill a greater understanding and knowledge of the arts to students so they can apply meaning to their work. In an Information Age where the arts are highly regarded, young people will be increasingly fluent in these languages and the way they relate to the arts digitally. During this semester I expect to learn in depth the foundations of music - rhythm, pitch, dynamics, structure and tone; and the visual arts - line, shape and colour. I also expect to learn methods and techniques of teaching these two pedagogues in an encouraging manner. I believe arts education is attained by connecting with students through the implementation of workshops or programs designed for developing strong relationships with aesthetics.

Sinclair, Christine. & Jeanneret, Neryl Christine. & O'Toole, J. 2009, Education in the arts : teaching and learning in the contemporary curriculum / edited by Christine Sinclair, Neryl Jeanneret and John O'Toole Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Vic.