College of Art and Built Environment

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    Effects of Educational Resources on Teaching and Learning of General Knowledge in Art at Effiduasi Senior High School, Ashanti Region
    (KNUST, 2018-10) Opoku Manu Ameyaw
    The education system in Ghana is steadily developing even as it is confronted with a number of defects which include inadequate educational resources in Senior High Schools owing to poor planning and improper management. The study aims to examine the effects of educational resources on the teaching and learning of General Knowledge in Art at Effiduasi Senior High School and also seek to document the types and nature of educational resources available, the effects of educational resources on students‘ academic performance as well as proposing innovative strategies to manage educational resources for the teaching and learning of GKA at Effiduasi Senior High School. The study espoused the mixed method research design and the descriptive research design with a total of 68 population including 62 (sixty-two) Form Three Visual Art students in the school offering GKA, the headmistress, Head of Department for Visual Art, and 4 (four) Visual Art teachers. The research sought to find the types and nature of physical facilities, material and human resources available at Effiduasi Senior High. The study adopted the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model in analyzing the data. The study found that the educational resources have significantly positive effects on students‘ performance at 1% level. This means that improvement in the educational resources increase students‘ academic performance. The study further revealed that students‘ level of punctuality and teacher motivation have positive while project undertaken by student has negative but all statistically insignificant relationship with students‘ academic performance. The general conclusion of this study is that educational resources are scientifically related to student academic performance and that their relations are so important that they cannot be overlooked. The study therefore recommended that regular maintenance and replacement of existing resources, teachers‘ motivation, frequent monitoring and evaluation of teachers, and student projects and good storage facilities are factors that the government and other stakeholders should ensure in order to improve performance in GKA.
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    Recycling Wood Off-Cuts to Develop Instructional Materials for Creative Arts Education at Bomso M/A Primary School in Kumasi
    (KNSUT, 2018-10) Rhoda Wiafe
    The growth of humanity from the primitive state to the present day‟s highly advanced technology has been closely associated with the dependence on wood. Wood has been used for shelter, fuel, tools, weapons, as well as for beautifications. Hence, it is very much clear that wood plays a vital role in the life of man. However, the off-cuts from the wood after it has undergone a production process are left to go to waste whiles they could have served a useful purpose. The research therefore sought to recycling wood off-cuts to develop instructional materials for Creative Arts education at Bomso M/A Primary School in Kumasi. The general objective of the study was to recycle wood off-cuts as appropriate instructional materials for teaching some selected topics in Creative Arts at Bomso M/A Primary School. Specific objectives included identify and examining types of instructional materials used for teaching selected topics in Creative Arts, testing the recycled wood off-cuts used as instructional materials for teaching these selected topics in Creative Arts as well as examine their effects on pupils‟ academic performance at the School. A qualitative research design which took into consideration a descriptive and quasi experimental method was used for this study. The descriptive enabled the researcher to explain the existing instructional materials that was used by the teacher and the quasi experimental method allowed the researcher to test the recycled wood off-cuts used as instructional materials for an in-depth information using observation and interview as research instruments. Findings from the research indicated that existing instructional materials did not sufficiently help in the teaching and learning of Creative Arts. Findings also showed that they pupils paid less attention which led to lack of understanding and interest in the subject because there was no hands-on activity. Also, it was found out that recycled wood off-cuts as Instructional Materials were simple to use, sustained the interest of pupils and their attention, made teaching and learning easier and as well as a fun filled activity. This again paved way for those who do not participate in class to willingly take part in class activities.
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    Eggshell Powder as a Viable Sculpture Material: The Case of W.B.M Zion Senior High School
    (KNUST, 2018-10) Benjamin Deffor
    Materials used in sculpture play an important role since the artiste’s creative ideas comes into accomplishment by working with viable materials in casting sculptural figures. Therefore, there is the need for experimenting with unconventional materials that can equally be used as an alternative to the conventional materials frequently used in the sculptor’s studio. The use of conventional materials for practical works in teaching casting increases the cost burden on students as well as students exposed to inhalation of chemicals in some conventional materials that can gradually affect their health system. Therefore, the researcher identified eggshells which is a nontoxic material and experimented with it by converting it into a powdery material and the use of binders, to be used as an alternative material for casting and modeling instead of the frequent use of conventional materials. The society perceived eggshells as waste and therefore, the researcher seeks to prevent the problems that waste causes to the environment. This research employed qualitative and quantitative approaches of which Quasi-experiment, Descriptive and Action research methods were used. Focus group interview and personal observation of how eggshell powder was used as data gathering instruments. Three research questions guided the study, these were: how can eggshells be experimented with in art education? What processes are involved in converting eggshells into a powder for casting? What is the outcome of using eggshell powder in modeling and casting? The population studied were made up of Students and Teacher at W.B.M Zion Senior High School in the Visual Art Department. Purposive sampling was used to select thirty-six (36) sculpture students from both form one and form two class and one sculpture teacher. They were selected based on their modeling skills. The study introduces the outcome of the experimental work to selected art teachers in the Abuakwa North District in the Eastern region of Ghana, in order to equip sculpture students to use eggshell powder in their studios as a viable medium in art. The preliminary results of the research indicate that the use of eggshell powder with binders was successful in casting and modeling sculptural figures. The researcher therefore recommends that disposable eggshells must be preserved and processed into a powdery material to be used by art Students for their project works. Further research must be carried out to identify waste materials that can be adopted for experimentations.
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    A Visual Documentation of Selected Akan Myths
    (KNUST, 2018-11) Benedicta Efua Apprey
    Social interactions have given proof to the many assertions and conclusions of both traditionalist, and academics of the receding nature of appreciation for the countless traditional precepts that define the Akan individual, in recent times. The study aims at giving greater insights and clarity to perceptions and attitudes surrounding the phenomenon, most importantly to provide a working document which can be used by cultural educators, researchers and other stakeholders in the field. Topics explored and reviewed includes, the field of mythology, its concept, and significance, also a comparative examination of some key Asante traditional symbols in relation to design thinking for illustrations. These topics were in line with the research objectives of; a) identification and description of myths, b) classification of diverse Akan myths c) creating visual illustrations of selected myths based on themes that emerge from findings. The phenomenological approach to research employed enhanced the depth of data retrieved from respondents as it dictates a flexibility and adaptive nature of the researcher in the exploration of the subject under study. The accessible population included community members and traditional leaders all within notable indigenous communities, made possible and effective through the purposive sampling methods used. The study revealed that Akans are highly spiritual people and this reflects in their mythical beliefs that influence their customs and practices; as it is relevant in some communities today. Five classifications of myths were identified: 1) myths about death and the afterlife, 2) myths about protection and social governance, 3) myths about births and children, 4) myths about gods and tutelary spirits, and 5) myths about creatures and beings. Further studies can be conducted into the individual categories of myths identified in addition to developing abstract visual documentation of the myths discussed in this study.
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    Exploring Mordants for Improved Fastness Of Plant Dyes for Application on Local Vegetable Tanned Leather
    (KNUST, 2018-03) Baah Nyamekye, Perpetual
    Natural dyes which were pushed for long in about six decades by synthetic dyes are gradually emerging to the interest of consumers. This as a result of the possible risk associated with the use of synthetic dyes on the environment. The manufacture of these dyes are energy intensive with adverse impact on environment adding to its greater pollution because of the petro-chemicals in its production. Against this background, that the researcher has delved into the exploration and use of different mordants on plant based dyes to test their affinity on natural leather. Different mordants in the group of metallic, tannins and oil were experimented for the purpose of the research. Plant based dyes namely, Sorghum bicolor leaves and Hibiscus sabdarifa flowers were tested together with identified mordants. The experimental processes were recorded critically and the results were observed and recorded as well. Interviews were also conducted with the sampled population as a means of ascertaining the experimental results obtained. According to the findings secured, it was noticed that plant dyes available locally require mordants to ensure fastness to light and washing, especially if applied on leather. However, not all mordants available on the local market work well with any plant dyes. Mordants used with plant dyes need to be applied in the right quantities to achieve the required efficacy. From all the mordants explored, three main ones worked very well in this study: salt, carbide, lime juice. It was recommended that locally available plant dyes when given the needed attention can serve as a breakthrough for obtaining variety of dye colours to enhance the aesthetics appeal of leathers tanned locally. Dye chemists and leather technicians therefore need to join forces to advance deeper research to harness the potentials of local plant dyes to expand socio-economic benefits.