PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE ART AND ART TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT AL-FATEH UNIVERSITY IN LIBYA

Abstract

Visual arts education provides the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for students to become more responsive and responsible citizens who are aware of the interaction among the visual, aesthetic, economic and social aspects of their culture. A well-prepared visual arts educator is an essential contribution to the quality of student learning in this area of education. The purpose of this study was to suggest a series of guidelines and recommendations for the improvement of the art and art teacher education at Al-Fateh University in Al-Jamahiriya (Libya). Development of these guidelines and recommendations was based on the following steps: (1) Review and examination of developments and trends in Al-Jamahiriya's formal education system. These included secondary education, teacher preparation, and visual art education. (2) Examination of the present art education program at Al-Fateh University and its role in preparing qualified visual art teachers for Al-Jamahiriya's secondary schools. (3) Comparative study of selected factors pertaining to art education teacher preparation at Al-Fateh University and four exemplary American universities. (4) Library research regarding current thought and practices in the areas of visual art education and teacher preparation. A questionnaire was also developed and sent to the art education department at Al-Fateh University to help obtain descriptive data concerning the teacher education program. A panel of experts at the University of Arizona had identified four exemplary American university art education programs. These programs were examined as part of this study. Recommendations are made regarding selected improvements in the art and art teacher preparation programs at Al-Fateh University.