Abstract

As a teacher of art I am constantly reflecting on effective teaching in studio art classes and the qualities that define good teaching in order to inform my own practice. The question I am investigating in this study is "What organizational and personal qualities of a teacher, as exemplified by an active artist and studio teacher at Concordia University, lead to the success of a studio art class at the University level and contribute to the essence of good teaching?" In order to answer this question I returned to Susan G. Scott's 460 level painting course, Materials and Methods of the Artist because it was as a student of hers in this course that my model of 'good teaching' began to form. Through reflective practice I re-evaluated my own learning experience in this course. Using the methods of participant observation and interview I uncovered and examined the organization of the course, the content and the pedagogical qualities of Susan G. Scott that contributed to the success of the course. The information that emerged from this study enabled me to define the essence of good teaching for me and to develop a base from which to construct my philosophy of education