Arts Engagement as Teacher Preparation Through Service Learning

Art Education students embarked on a research pilot program at the Early Childhood Learning and Research Center, through service-learning. The research teams observed, planned, team-taught and reflected on their own teaching strengths and challenges; gaining hands-on experience in the pre-K classroom. This research in arts education was rooted thematically in children’s literary works by illustrator/author Eric Carle. The project fostered relevant research, teachers as “choice-makers,” and the development of 21st century skills-sets of collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, writing of lesson plans and community connections through art and student engagement within our university campus.

Chair: Patricia Edwards, Art Department