This is
our first blog following the first conference on Creative Arts Integration in
Ghana's Basic Education. It was held at the Central
Campus Hall, University of Education, Winneba, on Friday June 5, 2009 from
8.00am-5.00pm. 130 teachers, pre-service teachers,
teacher educators, artists and administrators were in attendance. Thank you all for attending.
The website
for the conference is hosted at: www.creativearts.umn.edu.
During the sessions we agreed that conversations needed to continue beyond
the conference. If the arts are to
secure a firm place in education, we need to flesh out issues as they arise,
suggest solutions to anticipated problems and encourage creativity, innovation and invention in our
classrooms. Access,
what teachers receive, equity, what are fair and just expectations of
an arts education program, and quality, the degree of excellence or standards are central to
creative arts curricula discussions.
Integrating arts is logical because arts
expressions in Africa are most often integrated; that is, the arts (music,
dance, drama, visual arts, and language arts) are practiced in relation to one
another. Education is critical to future economic growth and lasting
democracy leading to greater stability and improved standards of living.
As we begin our discussions let us keep access, equity and
quality in the forefront of our minds. Let us consider the level of
participation in opportunities for practice, experiences and skills for
educators, because participation will impact knowledge discovery and advancement
(access). Secondly we need to
consider the level of transparency in the challenges teachers face because
these shape their conceptions and perceptions of arts in education (equity). Finally, we will address the degree of
excellence or standards of teacher education processes and socialization for
public good (quality).
The genesis of
this blog is in a collaborative research, curriculum
development and implementation project that addressed arts integration in
international teacher education conducted during my sabbatical year (2008-2009)
at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, West Africa. The central
question for the study was: How can arts education be practically tied to
economic growth in Africa, as is required by new national mandates? The project included exploratory and evaluative surveys,
teaching arts integration in higher education, and an arts teaching and
learning conference. My key collaborators were: Dr. Richard Amuah, Head of
Department of Music, University of Cape Coast, Prof. James Flolu, Dean of
Faculty of Arts, and Dr. Mary Dzansi-McPalm, Music education, both of
the University of Education, Winneba.
We invite our conference participants and the
international community of artists, arts educators, teacher educators, and administrators
to participate in the dialogue on arts teaching and learning for development.
This international dialogue will increase transnational arts communication and
understanding among educators and artists. Each time you contribute please let
us know your institutions and country.
Let's chat....
Akosua Addo (University of Minnesota, USA)
dear madam,
I wish tocontribute alittle to the topic on the creative arts integeration in ghanain schools.
I took part in the recent programme that took place in university of educaation winneba ghana. It is indeed a problem that arts which is the begening of every course in the world is is indeed given less attention and under estimated under the academic umbrella of ghana.I personally was very happy when I saw that such aprogramme was going to take place through your effort I say well done .
creative arts is a combination of music ,theatre(drama)and dance this in real sense is something which is part of us and must not be left unattended since if it comes to teaching and learning it helps children to learn better than any other method since children will learn and play as well there by seving as an appropriate methodology for teaching and learnig and research into child related activity.it is highly disappointing to see an important course that allow us to know who we are and where we are cominng from is given less attention.infact creative arts is the basis of industrialization and development,because we the Ghanains for that matter Africans do not know it, it has greatly affected our level of development and indutrialization from today I wishto say that arts fosters creative and enhance industrialization.
now a little about my self, I am eric adokoh enchill and completed unuversity of ghana legon with a degre in bachelor of fine .in factI hve so much interest in learning further into the field of arts particularly in theatre arts(drama)at the masters level.I would be very happy if one day I get the chance of furthering it in your reputable institution university of Minnesota since we are all figthing a common menace.thank you.
Sorry l could not react early enough. the conference was indeed inspiring and uplifting. On the subject matter itself, one saw how empty we are as human beings without the arts-an alternative mode of knowing,an avenue of expressing objectively our subjectivity. I personly wished this opportunity was frequent to actually rope more people into the arts. Please let me know whether my comment is relevant or not.
Loide
Hello Loide and Eric,
Thank you for your comments! Every comment is relevant and will help us to review and revise our arts programs for the benefit of all our children.
WE are hoping to have the conference in Kumasi next year and thus having as much feed back from everyone present will help us to shape the conference.
Do remind others to write. WE need as much voices as possible.
You take care,
AA
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I by no means regretted my time in school, I simply want I may have got out with less debt and more time to do the issues I was educated to do reasonably than spend all my time searching for cash to pay off my money owed in a minimum wage economy!
The Kinbu-Young Leaders Mentorship Program (KYLMP). With support from the Principal of Kinbu Senior High School, Mrs Georgina Attopley Wonyo, the facilitators from the University of Ghana’s School of Performing Arts and Elinam Adadevoh, coordinator of KYLMP, the secondary school students with present “Coming of the drums” an adaptation of Meshack Asare's “CROSS DRUMS” by Peter Sekyere. If you are in Ghana and have a moment tomorrow at 4.30pm, do come to the School of Performing Arts University of Ghana and see the students perform.
Thank you for your contribution to the future of arts education in Ghana.
For more information on the mentorship program see the blog spot: http://ylmp.blogspot.com/
Without monetary help I would not have been capable of goto college and get my degree. The monetary support accessible from the government as we speak is unbelievable and actually helps beneath privilidged college students get a very good training and a high paying job in the future!
How do I put a digg button for all my posts in my blog on blogger?
Hello, I think someone in OIT will be able to answer your question.
Regards.
Akosua Addo