Abstract

In this studio-based thesis, "How One Art Educator Combines the Strengths from Two Educational Systems, Chinese and Canadian, To Develop A Teaching Philosophy," combines several aspects of the author's studio practices and with her learning experiences as a Chinese student in Canadian fine arts program. This thesis shows the process of how the author improved her art-making abilities and how she developed her teaching philosophy and methods by using the education that she received from ceramics courses at a Canadian university as a link to her education in painting and drawing in China. At the same time, through qualitative research, the author uses her art-making, personal living and learning experiences as a research case in order to explore and gather truly first-hand data. The author shares her own experiences in art education and art-making in China and Canada to help the readers easily understand her theoretical rationale, an approach which is consistent with her belief that theory can result from actual practice.