An Overview of Teaching/Learning of Creativity in the Colleges of Education in Brong-Ahafo Region: A Case Study of Berekum College of Education

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2012-07
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Abstract
Many students in Ghana’s Colleges of Education lack the confidence and ability to create art works. This situation negatively affects them not only in their personal attitudes but also in internal and external examinations in creativity as a subject of study in the Colleges of Education in Ghana. Creativity is a subject that is taught within the Fundamentals in Visual Arts Related curriculum. It is compulsory for first year students of Colleges of Education in Ghana and examined in the first semester examinations. This study was conducted to find out the problems associated with the teaching and learning of Creativity as a subject of study; as well as ascertain the students’ understanding of creativity and how this is interpreted in the artworks produced in the three Colleges of Education in the Brong-Ahafo Region. This study employed the qualitative research method to identify and describe the challenges of teaching and learning of creativity in the Berekum College of Education as a case study, touching on appropriate methods, techniques, and importance of creativity and how to combat students’ inability to perform well in the subject. This study revealed that many of the students were not exposed to the teaching and learning of Creative Arts activities at the basic and secondary levels of education; the College Art tutors find it difficult promoting creativity among teacher trainees because the time allotted for this topic is inadequate for practical activities. Although teaching strategies that were adopted for this study yielded positive results it cannot be taken for granted that all is well. The study found that teaching creativity in Visual Arts using techniques such as brainstorming, motivation, practical skills development; and teaching methods such as inquiry- discovery, demonstration and field trips assisted in the development of the sampled students’ creative knowledge and skills. Problems identified in the study include the College tutors’ inability to use appropriate teaching methods to help their students to understand the concept and process of creativity since the school system in Ghana does not expose students to Visual Arts early enough to enable them develop creative skills. The study recommends that in the study of creativity, the students should work in teams and have regular practice exercises so that they would generate ideas together and work without copying from their colleagues and hence improve the aesthetic quality of works they produce. In addition, the Ministry of Education must enforce the teaching and learning of Creative Arts at all levels of education, including the Colleges of Education to promote and enhance development within the school and college curricula. The study also recommends that workshops must be organized periodically to make teachers at all levels aware of the appropriate methods of teaching Creativity.
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A Thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in Partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS IN ART EDUCATION
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