CHALLENGES TO POST-SECONDARY ARTS EDUCATION IN LAOS: EXAMINING TEACHING AND LEARNING AT THE ARTS EDUCATION COLLEGE
Keywords:
Arts education, Curriculum, Fine arts, Laos, Teaching and learningAbstract
This study aims at investigating the challenges to teaching and learning in the Arts Education College of Laos. It involved document analysis, oral interviews and distribution of questionnaires to participants who were categorized into four groups: directors, heads of sections, lecturers and students. Data from the questionnaires was tabulated and analyzed along with that from the oral interviews. This was complemented by the analysis of documents, all of which aided in the data collection, analysis and discussion stages. The study found a number of factors that adversely affect teaching and learning at the institution. These range from insufficient human resource training through a loose quality assurance system to teaching and learning methods-related challenges. The study found that most of the lecturers do not use diverse teaching methods in class; they are overwhelmed by a high teacher-student ratio and limited classroom capacities, unavailability of resources and an overloaded curriculum among other challenges. The study noted that despite the many challenges, the Arts Education College is doing a great service to Laos as the only institution that trains teachers for the Arts in the country’s primary and secondary schools. However, the findings suggest the need for improvement in various areas for an even more impactful service in the field of Arts Education in the country.
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