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Tanel Roomere

  • Art Education
  • MA
  • Art Teaching Practices on the Example of Distance Learning Experience
  • Tutor: Kaja Toomla
  • Master's Thesis

The aim of this research is to determine the readiness of art educators and students to teach and learn art in Estonian public schools during the distance learning period of academic years 2020/21 and 2021/22.
A case study is used to provide an overview of practices for teaching art in distance learning. The period of distance learning due to has been studied in a case study method. Students were given a questionnaire, which was analyzed using descriptive statistics. In addition, art teachers were given a Google Forms questionnaire and interviews were conducted. In the course of qualitative content analysis, categories have been created to compare the collected data. Phenomenological data analysis method has been used, as the aim of the study is to understand the samples’ experience of distance learning. The process of art education, which is based on Vahter’s (2014) holistic art education model, is placed in the context of distance learning in order to understand whether and how the components of art education outlined in the model work in the new context.
Recent research shows that the benefits of distance learning outweigh the difficulties involved. Challenges remain in supporting student motivation and social emotional learning (SEL). This study concludes that a good relationship with students, specific deadlines and clear guidelines ensure students’ motivation. Direct communication between students and teachers is reduced by distance learning but is not completely eliminated. Teachers have found ways to continue to provide subject-specific feedback through digital tools and, at the same time, use online lessons as a space to share concerns or learn from each other. This study has shown that contact learning is not essential in all parts of the learning process. The experience of distance learning due to COVID-19 has provided the opportunity to learn from the difficulties involved.

Keywords: Art education, Distance Learning, Teaching Methods, COVID-19, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Technology-enhanced learning (TEL)