The creation and maintenance of inclusive learning environments is a key responsibility of all teachers working in Australian schools. Most Australian universities embed inclusion education training for pre-service teachers (PSTs) in coursework. There is an implicit assumption in these arrangements that the study of inclusion and of special needs…

This study provides a better understanding of using visual arts in counselling adults with depressive disorders. Three in-depth case studies were conducted in the counselling unit of a mental health hospital in Malaysia. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were applied to explore three adult participants' counselling experiences.…

This study investigated whether and how students with low prior achievement can carry out and benefit from reflective assessment supported by the Knowledge Connections Analyzer (KCA) to collaboratively improve their knowledge-building discourse. Participants were a class of 20 Grade 11 students with low achievement taking visual art from an…

This case study focused on the addition of a therapy dog in an Art I level class at a public high school level that included students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The purpose of this study is to determine how Animal Assisted Therapy may benefit autism support students in the art classroom. The students participated in lessons that focused on…

The purpose of this action research study is to help students alleviate their anxiety and stress symptoms using activities based on Olivia Gude's postmodern principles. The activities included are the participants own take-along visual art journal kit and classroom projects. Professional learning outcomes include the knowledge to equip teachers…

Today it is necessary to approach environmental topics with students in an interdisciplinary manner to mitigate the environmental damages that the Earth is suffering. In this paper we report an action-research and innovation study aimed at sensitizing students with respect to the care and preservation of the environment through the writing of…

This report recounts the findings of a study of people who purchased "Looking into Painting" materials, a learning package developed by the Personal and Cultural Education (PACE) Sector of the Continuing Education area in England's Open University. The package is not part of any course of study leading to a qualification, and there is no…

Accurately denoting colors and measuring their meanings have been long-standing challenges for scholars and artists alike. This study addressed this problem by suggesting that the use of a model of cyan, magenta, and yellow primary colors--which is common in industry but is generally neglected by scholars and fine artists--could greatly benefit…

Examines the need for and the feasibility of a visual arts degree through distance education based on experiences at the University of Southern Queensland (Australia). Highlights include a theoretical background and a survey of art educators that addressed methods of instruction, feedback, face-to-face contact, and assessment. (Contains 20…

A study examined the character, expressive qualities, and attitudes toward art (performing and visual) activities of handicapped Canadian adolescents (N=30) to determine how well current teaching of the arts meets the needs and expectations of these students. A review of literature on arts activities and exceptional students contributed to the…

The fine arts as defined by the Ministry of Education (British Columbia) include music, art, and drama with the curriculum focusing on two concepts: creation and appreciation. One of the aims of School District #68 (Nanaimo) is to provide students with the opportunity to gain exposure to, and experience in, fine arts. The Fine Arts Evaluation…

The focus on academic performance testing in elementary schools has caused a decrease in student experience in the arts. Visual arts (drawing, painting, sculpture, and collage) have been minimized in elementary schools. Without exposure to the special avenues of cognitive development and personal expression nurtured by visual arts, students are…

The sources and nature of conflict/accord between the artist role and the three primary roles that the artist confronts in the university--teaching, research, and the faculty role--were investigated. For comparison purposes, faculty members in the humanities fields were interviewed in addition to the full-time faculty members who were also…

The Program Development for Artistically Talented Project (ATP) in the Dade County Schools, Florida, funded by the Education Consolidation Improvement Act, Chapter 2, was designed to provide technical support to the locally funded program for artistically talented elementary students through: (1) the development of a curriculum/program guide; and…

The evaluation design and findings for nine demonstration school participating in the Indiana Comprehensive Plan for the Arts in Education are reviewed. Each school developed a quality arts education curriculum and shared their approaches with affiliated schools in their networks. The program evaluation design focused on program implementation and…