Developing Preservice Primary Teachers’ Confidence and Competence in Arts Education using Principles of Authentic Learning.

Arts education offered by Greek Universities to future pre-school and primary school teachers

“…The findings showed that the quantity of the arts education provided (proportion of arts courses out of the total number of courses offered, and percentage of compulsory arts courses out of the total number of compulsory courses offered) in the PREDs and PRIDs was insufficient. These data are in agreement with the data provided by studies on arts education in other countries (Duncum, 1999;Eurydice, 2009;Russell-Bowie, 2012) and on the history of teachers' arts education in Greece (Andreou et al, 1990;Stamelos, 1999;Stavrou, 2009). It seems that the quantity of arts courses offered to future teachers remains at the same percentage as in the past, namely just one tenth of all courses.…”

“…Briefly stating the answers of the sample, a picture emerges that the students in Greek departments of education believe that their arts education has many problems. As many other future teachers all over the world, they too seek more education in the arts, and indeed, more arts education that will increase their prospects of using the arts in school (Alter et al, 2012;Davies, 2010;Dixon & Senior, 2009;Downing et al, 2007;Gibson, 2003;Grauer, 1998;Hudson & Hudson, 2005, 2007Kowalchuk & Stone, 2003;Lemon & Gravis, 2013;Nderu-Boddington, 2008;Ogden et al, 2010;Russell-Bowie, 2012).…”

“…It was also considered necessary to examine the views of students in the departments of education toward their arts education, given that they are related to students' prospects of becoming confident and effective when they use arts education in school (Davies, 2010;Dixon & Senior, 2009;Downing et al, 2007;Gibson, 2003;Grauer, 1998;Hudson & Hudson, 2005;Nderu-Boddington, 2008;Ogden et al2010;Russell-Bowie, 2012). To answer the last research question of the current study, data were collected from a sample of students who were asked to fill in an anonymous short questionnaire developed for the purpose of this study that consisted of three questions.…”

Developing Confidence in STEAM: Exploring the Challenges that Novice Elementary Teachers Face

“…Many novice elementary teachers are apprehensive about teaching art, given that they do not inherently view themselves as artists (Battersby & Cave, 2014;Davies, 2010;Oreck, 2004;Russell-Bowie, 2012). Despite the fact that novice teachers tend to believe that engagement in the arts is an important component of every child's education, novice teachers rarely integrate the arts into their curriculum and instruction (Oreck, 2004).…”

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“…It remains a challenge to develop the necessary competencies and confidence to teach music in the primary school as a non-specialist. Research has shown that generalist teachers lack confidence to teach music (see Mills, 1989;Jeanneret, 1997;Hennessy, Rolfe, & Chedzoy, 2010;Heyworth, 2011;Russell Bowie, 2012). Research in Australia and around the globe reflects the little time students get in their course that prepares them for the classroom (Baldwin & Beauchamp, 2014).…”