The courses in the Faculty of Education at The National College of Art & Design, Dublin, Ireland, foster interest in the arts, motivating and challenging students to achieve their creative potential, providing them with the skills they need to do so, contributing to the continued health and vibrancy of our visual culture. The Faculty prepares students for teaching in the visual arts at second level through the BA in Art and Design Education and its Post-Graduate Diploma in Art andDesign Education. It also provides an innovative range of part-time courses including certificate award bearing courses through the Centre for Continuing Education in Art and Design.

 

BA (Hons) Degree in Art and Design Education

 

The four-year BA Degree course in Art and Design Education is intended for those students who wish to develop a broad range of disciplines in art and design, with the purpose of applying these in various education contexts. Graduates of the course carry a recognised qualification for appointment as teachers of Art, Craft and Design in second-level schools.

 

Course Description

 

The course consists of four main subject areas: Visual Arts, Education Studies, Classroom Practice and History and Appreciation of Art and Design.

 

The first year of the BA (Hons) in Art and Design Education will be taken as part of the First (Core) Year, shared with other students on entry to the college. On successful completion of First Year, selected students pursue the remaining three years of the Education degree as a dedicated course.

 

In Year 2 the emphasis is on Classroom Practice and on the work undertaken by the student in their area of Studio Practice. Current Studio Practice options are: Ceramics, Graphic Design, Painting and Textiles. Students undertake Teaching Practice for part of the year in post-primary schools. These placements are arranged by the College. At the same time the students' professional development is further expanded in the context of the post-primary school through the Visual Arts for Classroom Practice and Education Studies elements of the course which include Educational Psychology, Philosophy of Education, Sociology of Education, History of Education, Curriculum Studies and Classroom Practice (including Teaching Preparation).

 

In Year 3, while students continue their involvement in their area of Studio Practice at a high level, continuing emphasis is placed on Visual Arts for Classroom Practice, Education Studies and Classroom Practice.

 

In Year 4, while students maintain their involvement in the above areas of study, there is a greater degree of self-determined and self-directed study under the supervision and guidance of tutors. Students must present visual and written submissions as part of the examination requirements.

 

Students are required to teach in post-primary schools from the start of the school Autumn term until Easter.

 

Ten per cent of the course is devoted to studies in the History and Appreciation of Art and Design.

   

Post-Graduate Diploma in Art and Design Education

 

The course is an intensive one-year training programme for intending art, craft and design teachers. It is open to graduates in art and design disciplines holding a recognised diploma or degree.

 

Course Description

 

The course deals with the theory and practice of art, craft and design education at post-primary level. It develops the student teacher's understanding of the ways in which art, craft and design experiences can be used to promote the aesthetic, intellectual, personal and social development of young people. The course is an integrated one with all components perceived as related to one another. There are three main subject areas:

 

1.Classroom Practice

 

Students teach art, craft and design classes in post-primary schools throughout the year. They are prepared for teaching through teaching workshops, preparing lesson plans, making visual aids and planning art, craft and design lesson schemes. Classroom teaching is supported in a preparatory way through peer-teaching, micro-teaching and tutorials. Students will be expected to complete a minimum of 100 hours actual classroom practice during the course. Classroom Practice will normally be arranged by the College.

 

2. Education Studies

 

Education Studies comprise History and Philosophy of Education, Behavioural Sciences and Curriculum Studies. Students submit written work and/or take an examination in these areas as well as completing a dissertation dealing with an aspect of art, craft and design education.

 

3. Art, Craft and Design Studies (Visual Arts for Classroom Practice)

 

Under this heading are included a broad range of 2D and 3D studies including Painting & Drawing, Graphic Design and Technology etc., relevant to post-primary curricular content.