Course content

The course in arts and crafts education is intended for students who want to learn how to devise courses and teach arts and crafts in elementary school. The course is open to all foreign students at Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The course will be taught in English. The course emphasizes a playful approach to activities within different materials and techniques in the subject areas: design, architecture, art history and culture studies, theory of teaching and learning/teaching pedagogies. Design challenges work on issues related to design and everyday aesthetics. The students will work with design processes related to products that primarily cover practical needs. Architecture focuses on the experience of indoor and outdoor spaces that affect our everyday lives. Knowledge of local construction practice and national style orientations through investigative and creative work linked to the local community. Drawing, using digital software and building different types of models, stimulate awareness of three-dimensional spaces. Art history and culture studies focuses on Norwegian and international crafts, design and architecture from historicism to the contemporary style. The field provides the fundament for planning lessons, experiences and also the development of knowledge and awareness of the different cultural expressions. Through exploring different cultural expressions one can see oneself and others in a historical and cultural context. Theory of teaching and learning/teaching pedagogies is integrated in the subject matter . The field comprises organized learning in arts and crafts, relevance and legitimization as a general-purpose subjects in school. The student will work with practical and creative processes to become a competent teacher and be able to use different forms of assessment which contribute to the pupils' learning.

Learning outcome

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of materials, techniques, tools and aesthetic means that are fundamental in work with design and architecture.
• has knowledge of the main directions and development of modern crafts, design and architecture
• has knowledge of how forms of expression from different cultures nationally and internationally
• are resources for one's own creative work and learning related to design and architecture
• has knowledge of basic skills in the subject with an emphasis on design and architecture

Skills

The student

• has basic craft skills within design areas such as textiles, wood, ceramics and visual communicationcan
• develop an idea into a finished form, document and assess one's own creative process and be a good role model for students within the different design areas
• can work with models using digital toolscan experiment with and use relevant materials, tools, means and techniques in work with design and architecture
• can use analysis tools in design and architecturecan convey art and cultural understanding in varied ways, and see the connection between different cultural expressions, children's and young people's creative activities and one's own work
• can select appropriate materials, techniques and hand tools that are suitable for tasks in grades 5-10, maintain tools and simple machines and know safety routines (HSE routines)
• can use the local environment as a source of experience and acquisition of knowledge as a starting point for one's own work and as a resource for student assignments in design and architecture
• can plan and implement teaching, and facilitate adapted training for all students in the areas of design and architecture
• can carry out learning-oriented assessment

General competence

The student

• can take a diversity perspective as a starting point to create an inclusive work environment
• can utilize variations in visual expressions in design and architecture as a starting point for tasks and professional conversation
• can facilitate creative and creative processes that activate the senses, engage emotions and connect the practical and cognitive in creative learning processes
• can use digital learning arenas to obtain and disseminate subject matter related to design and architecture
• can utilize the subject's opportunities for critical reflection on sustainability, consumer patterns and reuse
• can invite other subjects to practical, theoretical and didactic collaboration and generate interdisciplinary and scientifically exploratory forms of work and understanding

Learning methods and activities

The module has several obligatory sessions, mostly introductions to assignments on the use of materials and techniques together with excursions. The module is set up in according with the working methods of the current curriculum for primary schools. Theory teaching will mainly be done in class, while the practical training takes place in smaller groups. The practical individual work will take place in the workshops, with teacher-or student-led supervision. There are considerable amounts of self-study in some periods. The study consists of practical creative work and theoretical study. Reflection around students´ own and others' work is central. Students will work with technical and topical issues. Documentation of work processes can be carried out as analog or digital sketches. For both administrative and teaching purpose, the course makes extensive use of the Learning Management System, Canvas. All teaching and communication between staff and students, both oral and written is in Norwegian. As well as taking part in teaching sessions, students are responsible for self-study. I addition there are obligatory course requirements which must be fulfilled.

Compulsory assignments

• Obligatory course work

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

The reading list will be posted on Canvas prior to semester start.