January 2005 – December 2006
Deborah Fraser, Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research, School of Education, The University of Waikato.

Project Aims

The overall aim of the project is to investigate how the development of ideas in the Arts can be promoted, enhanced and refined in classrooms and in so doing, build knowledge related to Arts educational pedagogy, research and philosophy. There is also an associated aim of capacity building for Arts research within university and teacher partnerships.

Project Plan

This project involves generalist teachers within the Year 1-6 range who are willing to focus on at least two Arts disciplines and specialist/lead teachers working across syndicates within the primary setting. The Arts curriculum lead teachers provide expertise in the teaching of more than one Arts discipline and all teachers will be fully involved in the partnership research for the duration of the project. A ‘critical friend’ relationship within each school will further influence the project and this teacher will encourage research within the school amongst colleagues. Data collection intends to include at least four phases: Baseline data and the piloting of methods; initial case studies and analysis; interventions based on analysis and emerging themes; evaluation of interventions and subsequent questions/issues raised.

Partnerships involved

The Wilf Malcom Institute of Educational Research and teachers from six Waikato based schools. These schools range from urban to rural and deciles 1 to 10.

Expected Outcomes

The outcomes include:

• a review of the associated literature
• a comparison of processes and skills children employ when developing ideas within music, visual art, drama and dance
• an examination of pedagogies and philosophies that enhance, extend and refine the former
• an understanding of inclusive Arts education that caters for a diverse range of children.
  

Selected Publications

Download the summary of the project report [pdf, 70 KB]
Download the full text of the project report [pdf, 3004 KB]

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