Issue Twentytwo

8/3/2019 Issue Twentytwo

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VEDEA Forum, Thursday November 10th

Review written By 2ndYear COFA Art EducationEmma Barry

How much has ACARAs national curriculum for the Shape Paper for the arts really changed? How

does it differ from our current NSW syllabuses? How could it be better? All these questions were

considered at VADEAs recent forum held on Thursday the 10th at the Professional Teachers Council in

Leichhardt.

Dr Kerry Thomas (VADEA co-president) presented a timeline of the progress of the development of the

Shape Paper and reflection on responses. Notably 55% of responses Australia wide were from NSW.VADEA is the largest state arts teachers association Australia-wide with its 500+ strong membership.

VADEAs members contributed to the overwhelming NSW response, but we were reminded that all

states and territories have parity in national curriculum discussions, so while the response was very

significant and ACARA would be foolish to disregard it other factors should not be discredited.

The BoS consultation report to ACARA in June 2011 confirmed that the Draft Shape Paper was

insubstantial and basically unusable. The BoS and NSW Minister for Education, along with the DEC

(Department of Education and Communities), CEC (Catholic Education Commission) and AIS

(Association of Independent Schools) have pledged to keep mandatory hours and curriculum

requirements in place in NSW, but these pledges will need an ongoing commitment because the ShapePaper and the development of the curriculum will still need to be negotiated. Ongoing negotiation could

be a potential issue as the Shape Paper retains incoherent and out-dated concepts of what the arts

actually are and concessions to these concepts could jeopardise our syllabuses.

Dr Karen Maras (VADEA co-president) spoke with further depth about what has already changed and

how the arts as a body of knowledge is being (mis)represented by the Shape Paper. Most importantly

the idea of the arts as being primarily about creative self-expression remains prominent. This is

problematic because it undermines the depth and breadth of content covered in the Visual Arts and

other artforms in NSW syllabuses and schools. Dr Maras took the example of creative self-expression

in music, the results of which would most likely be unskilful and discordant elucidating how little creativeself-expression has to do with real learning.

The processes of responding and making are included as key organisers in the Shape Paper.

Making in the Shape Paper acknowledges something of practice (although its orientation is

underdeveloped) involved in Visual Arts learning. Responding remains grounded in psychological and

emotive responses which may be important but limited to the individuals experience and cannot

account for what is important in the wider art world. Interpreting has been identified as a preferred

term as it demonstrates a more complex way to conceive of students learning.

ONE YEAR ON: IN & BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE SHAPE PAPER FOR THE ARTSAUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM

30 November 2011 VADEA E-BULLETIN Vol. 22

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The Shape Paper is yet to include a coherent and usable structural framework. The domains of

knowledge (e.g. physical, affective, cognitive) have been removed from the Shape Paper, but have not

been replaced with any conceptual framework or useful organising structure. Instead a diagram that

represents Arts practices retreats into a generic approach which present as a host of options but fails

to articulate how they interconnect or are truly relevant.

The Shape Paper does not articulate time for each individual arts subject but says that the 160 hours

for specialisation in one or more subjects in years 7-8 must be divided as a school-based decision

which will only lead to school based conflict and the politicisation of value. While NSW is in a different

position the issue cannot be overlooked as other artforms will attempt to contest this.

To finish off this short review of VADEAs forum I would implore all art educators, those currently

teaching and also pre-service teachers, to continue lobbying for a curriculum that does not see the artsas centred around play-based learning or endorse the arts for its ability to help learning in other

subjects. Right now there is a public lull in activity from ACARA, although much is taking place behind

the scenes as writers are briefed and begin their writing, and advisory groups prepare to respond to

what is produced. It is at this point we need to remain informed about better options and advocate for

the changes that need to happen because we value learning in the Visual Arts and our contribution to

the curriculum should not be sidelined in favour of a generic arts experience.

I unfortunately had to leave before the forum concluded, but I wanted to share some important points

that I gathered from the afternoon, mainly that there remains a lot to be desired in ACARAs Shape

Paper for the Arts. Emma Barry, COFA Art Education student

Finishing off the Forum was a presentation by VADEA Co president Karen Profilio. Karen reminded usof the need to stay informed and active in the National Curriculum debate. Now is not the time tobecome apathetic and hope other people will sort this out. Our voice needs to be heard, we need tokeep the conversation, with parents, students, principals and anyone who will listen, going.

Karen also spoke about the development of VADEA Hubs, small groups of Visual Arts teachers whomeet regularly for discussion and networking. Based on regions and already existing networks this isproving to be a great avenue for colleagues to stay informed and aware.

Change can only happen if we, as a Visual Arts and Design Education Association make it happen. Weknow the value of what we have and work our students can achieve, as professionals we cant let thatbe diminished by what is offered.

Nick Phillipson VADEA Executive member 2011

30 November 2011 VADEA E-BULLETIN Vol. 22

ATTENTION VADEA MEMEBERS

Video of the VADEA FORUM will soon be available online in our members section.

Have a look at all the great resources available in our memberssection using your VADEA logon and password

http://www.vadea.org.au/wordpress/

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Page 3Facebook;http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=121728261192109

Website; htt ://vadea.or .au/word ress/

Twitter; htt s://twitter.com/VADEA_NSW

Blog; http://vadea.blogspot.com/

The Sydney Morning HeraldOctober 31, 2011Andrew Stevenson

BROADER TESTS WILL BENEFIT STUDENTS

http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/broader-tests-will-benefit-students-20111030-1mqcj.html

A LEADING US authority on testing regimes and educational measurement says Australia should broaden itsNaplan tests beyond literacy and numeracy to avoid narrowing teaching and learning.

The Age14 November 2011Jewel Topsfield Education Editor

NATIONAL CURRICULUM MEANS LACK OF STATE COMPETITION

http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/national-curriculum-means-lack-of-state-competition-20111113-1nduj.html

AUSTRALIA is in danger of killing innovation with its centralist education reforms such as the nationalcurriculum and NAPLAN tests, according to a leading British educator.

Stephen Heppell said the autonomy of the states meant they were able to develop their own educationalprograms, with Western Australia, for example, becoming a world leader in multimedia in the 1980s.

''One of the huge advantages in Australia is the states have taken it in turns to lead. With standardisation, youlose the ability for one state to innovate and pass the baton on to another,'' Professor Heppell said.

Advertisement: Story continues below Professor Heppell, who is in Melbourne to address the CreativeInnovation 2011 conference this week, said Britain was moving away from a centralised education system.

Professor Heppell is at the centre of a global movement to create ''classrooms of tomorrow''. He encouragesstudents to write on every surface, including walls and desks.

He also encourages teachers to mix up the timetable, sometimes devoting a day or a week to a subject ratherthan arbitrarily splitting every day into eight lessons.

''If you are a kid and you come into the same classroom, sit in the same seat, face in the same direction, havethe same lesson for the year, just imagine how engaging that isn't. If the classroom keeps surprising children,typically children will surprise the teacher.''

He believes schools are failing to equip students for the unexpected, big catastrophes that characterisepeople's lives.

IN THE MEDIA

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VADEA CLASSIFIEDS

For more information please contact, Neville Dawson.

[email protected]


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** T r I C k Y WordS (DoNe with FUn!) **A total of $700 worth of prizes to be won !!The TrI C kY WordSStudent Art Competition

Are you a talented young artist and would you like to help illustrate a very funny book calledMy Aunt Ate a Plate which Ive just finished writing?

Are you still studying at either Primary or Secondary school?

Would you like to win a $30 book voucher for your illustration and have your artwork and namepublished in my book? And would you also like to win an autographed copy of the book to show yourfriends and family plus one for your school library? If its Yes!To the above, then heres an artcompetition for you!

WHAT IM LOOKING FOR:

Im looking for some outstanding illustrations from student artists. My Aunt Ate a Plate is a word bookbut its also a colouring-in book so your illustrations must be suitable for colouring in.

CATEGORIES & WINNERS:

There are (8) illustration categories and over $700 worth of prizes that will be divided between 10winners: the (8) category winners and the (2) overall winners for Exceptional Artwork. Both winners ofThe Judges Art Prize and The Peoples Choice Award will receive $150 each and both will be invitedto contribute illustrations to Book 2 A Lion, a Flea and a Whale. This will be paid work.

DEADLINE & ENTRY FEE:

Entries close Monday 12 December and the entry fee is $2 for each illustration.

RESULTS:

All the winners (except for The Peoples Choice Award) will be notified no later than mid-March 2012

and the book will be printed later that month.

JUDGES:

The judges are Steve Harris: www.therealsteveharris.com.au and Cheryl- Leigh Cross:www.thekiss.com.au Feel free to have a look at their websites and art work but please do notcorrespond with them until after the competition.

Please email me [email protected] I will try and answer your email within three days.Please be patient as I often have writing deadlines to complete.

For more information about me and what I write, see the website I share with my writing partner at

www.capaldoteychenne.comWith best wishes from Maree Teychenn B.Mus (DipEd)

VADEA CLASSIFIEDS

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Issue Twentytwo