A study of art and craft teaching programs according to their function of generating "industrial design education" qualification for teacher candidates

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the function of art and craft teachers programs, based on opinions of teachers graduated from art and craft teachers undergraduate program, for making the teacher candidates gain the "Industrial Design Education" qualification, which is a part of the Fine Arts classes in primary and secondary schools. The research has been conducted with a qualitative research approach. Participants in the research are 43 teachers graduated from Marmara University Atatürk Education Faculty Art and Craft Teaching undergraduate program. Data has been collected by document analysis techniques and surveys developed by the researcher. The transcripts of the teacher candidates graduated at different years from this program are done by examining the documents. The research has been conducted with a qualitative research approach.  The research showed that teachers evaluate the industrial design education qualification function of the art and craft teachers undergraduate program according to workshop diversity, workshop course hours, and the content of the program. (i)Teachers are generally negative about the branching that develops in time within the structure of the program. (ii)They think it is a must for teacher candidates to participate in several workshops to gain the required professional qualification for their branch. (iii) And teachers affirm the regulation of craft design workshop as industrial workshop. (iv) they also stress the importance of course hours and program content. On the other hand, teachers make several suggestions about developing the program, the purpose of the program, education method and environment, cooperation between academicians and institutions, so that the art and craft undergraduate program can function more effectively.