Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to study the current status of Curriculum and Instruction for Art Education programs, to focus on developing standards and indicators for Art Teacher Education programs at undergraduate level in Thailand and to examine their current alignment with these standards.
To study the current status of curriculum and instruction of Art Education programs, Likert scale score surveys were used to collect data and information from 6 participants at 4 higher education institutions; Chulalongkorn University, Srinakarinwirot University, Khon Kaen University and Prince Songkhla University at Pattani. Participants were faculty members of the programs, current art education major students, cooperating teachers in schools, parents, graduate students and entrepreneurs (employed art education graduates). The results from open-ended questionnaires were analyzed by content analysis and opinions gained from interviewing the experts who regularly develop standards and indicators for art education programs using the EDFR technique. Standards were verified by 15 connoisseurs. Standards within the 5 year Art Education program (B.Ed.) at Khon Kaen University were also evaluated for suitability.
The research findings indicated that art education faculty members and current art education major students agreed on program objectives, construction, teaching and learning and abilities of instructors. However, agreement on media, materials, buildings and atmosphere was moderate. Opinions of cooperating teachers on the quality and expectations of art teacher students during teaching practice in schools indicated that academic knowledge on subject matter, attitude and learning and instruction were adequate, but agreement on suitability of their assessment and evaluation was moderate. Entrepreneurs who evaluated the quality of art education graduates were agreed on general abilities, attitudes toward working, characteristics and interpersonal skills. However agreement on the adequacy of their academic knowledge was moderate. The opinions of parents with respect to expectations of art education programs showed strong agreement in all aspects; skills, abilities, ethics and morals and knowledge. The opinion of recent graduates on their satisfaction with the art education programs indicated only moderate agreement on program construction, quality of instruction, facilities, self-assessment and application, but agreement on program objectives and instructors.
Curriculum and Instruction standard for art education at undergraduate level in Thailand consists of 4 standards and 20 indicators. Standard 1: Standard for Program and Art Content with 4 indicators; construction of Art Education program, visual art content, art education content and practicum. Standard 2: Standard for Art Education Faculty Members with 3 indicators; specialized knowledge and abilities in art education, continuing participation in professional development and the art education profession, and creation of a supportive and collaborative learning environment for prospective art teachers. Standard 3: Standards for Prospective Art Teacher Students with 8 indicators; input criteria of art students, understanding of art and art education, knowledge of student characteristics/abilities and learning styles of students, ability to put theory into practice to plan appropriate instruction, ability to conduct appropriate assessment, critical thinking, communication/ interpersonal relationship skills and ethics. Standard 4: Standard for administration and instruction with 5 indicators; conducting instruction with an emphasis on student centered learning, variety of teaching methods, materials and appropriate resources, suitability of buildings, tools, materials and facilities, and administrative committees for monitoring, evaluation and program improvement.
An examination of standard alignment for Standard 1 (Program and Art Content) within the 5 year Art Education program (B.Ed.) at Khon Kaen University confirmed that the program was aligned for all indicators.