Education News | Page 16

N I W E N S ' ? T A N O WH I T A C U D E S T AR RENEWED ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAM The Arts Education program in the Faculty of Education has recently undergone an extensive program change: It is designed to sustain the goals and legacy of the former five- year K - 12 Arts Education Program while being shortened to a four-year program as well as to reflect changes in contemporary arts practice and pedagogy. and community. In addition to core EAE studies, students will focus on particular arts forms designated as “Areas of Concentration,” suitable for both Elementary and Secondary routes. Faculty members continue to partner closely with the Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance (MAP). While some introductory Fine Arts courses are no longer required in first year, a significant number of advanced Fine Arts courses have been added to the program across the disciplines. The renewed program aligns with other undergraduate teacher education programs at the University of Regina by including all four Education Core Studies (ECS) courses, Indigenous Studies 100 and expanded offerings in Indigenous Arts. The program also addresses anticipated changes in teacher certification by the Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board (SPTRB). Consequently, graduates of the program will have now have enhanced exposure to English, mathematics, and science. The combination of The renewed 4-year Arts Education Program is now both familiar and innovative more attractive, more attainable, and more affordable for prospective arts educators. approaches and courses will prepare students to be effective teachers of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education Arts Education curricula and other core curricula. Building on the success of the past 34 years, the program continues the tradition of required courses in each of the art forms of dance, drama, literature, music and visual studies, augmented by offerings in Creative Technologies. The foundation of the program is a series of six Arts Education (EAE) courses that address contemporary issues through aesthetic experience, methods and theories of curriculum and pedagogy, and practicum experiences in schools The intention of the renewed Arts Education program is to achieve parity with other four-year teacher education programs in the Faculty of Education and in Saskatchewan. Similarly, the renewed Bachelor of Arts Education After-Degree (BEAD) is now consistent with existing Faculty of Education BEAD programs by reducing the requirement of 75 credit hours to 60. Other faculties were consulted throughout the process of program planning and renewal. By eliminating one-year from the program and maintaining certification standards, the renewed Arts Education Program is now more attractive, attainable, and affordable for prospective arts educators. Nicole Glas, Manager of the Student Program Centre, says she is optimistic about the new program: "The new Arts Education program is an excellent choice for students who are interested in teaching through the arts in a K - 12 setting. The blended approach to the arts education major allows students to explore teaching in dance, drama, literature, music, and visual art." Arts Education Program Chair, Dr. Valerie Triggs says, "The arts are central to education, being about augmenting a love of learning and living and our renewed program continues to provide hands-on arts experience with multi-dimensional approaches and attentiveness to local and global concerns. We look forward to welcoming interested new applicants to our vibrant community of students and professors from diverse backgrounds." A RENEWED ARTS EDUCATION FOUR-YEAR PROGRAM took effect this fall at the University of Regina. Fall Arts Education P.L.A.C.E .experience at the site of Lebret (Qu'Appelle) Indian Residential School. Prairie Valley School Division students joined them at the site. Page 16