Abstract:

Visual arts inquiry (VAI) is a valued part of teaching visual arts. While first hand exposure to original pieces is lauded as the ideal scenario, this is not always feasible for geographic, time and budgetary constraints. Usually, a teacher will show copies of canonical and contemporary work using electronic presentations such as Powerpoint or Prezi. Unfortunately, secondary copies presented in such popular electronic presentation software mislead the learner with respect to a work’s actual scale. They do not compare well to a gallery experience with respect to immersion, proximity, interactivity and viewer autonomy. Consequently, this action case research (Yen, Woolley & Hseih, 2002) evaluates the evolution and potential of a teacher designed multi-user virtual gallery titled AISLE (Arts inquiry in a Second Life environment) for VAI. It evaluates its potential to complement traditional classroom teaching. Now embarking on a third cycle of planning, designing, implementing, evaluating, reflecting, and self-evaluating, this paper presents on ‘actions’ derived from key findings from two consecutive case studies with student primary school teachers to improve virtual VAI. While appreciating the findings are context specific, this action case research may be of interest to other educators interested in VAI, the use MUVE technology for educational purposes or action case research.

Keywords:

Visual arts inquiry, teacher education, multi-user virtual environments, Second Life, action case research.