International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Volume 3, Number 2, July 2009

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Research Article

Excerpt

Perceptions of Visual Culture in Turkish Pre-Service Art Teacher Preparation

One of the key tasks of the university in the 21st century is to nurture visually literate students in the information age. Given that we live in a very highly visualized world, it is increasingly important that students are educated as critical viewers who are able to respond to visual images in an analytical and selective manner. The education of critical viewers starts with art teachers who appreciate and understand the embedded value of imagery within cultures, cultural differences, students’ knowledge and experience, critical thought, and reflection. The creation of progressive models in art teacher education that connect art and everyday life can help achieve this goal. One vehicle that may help teachers arrive at this goal is visual culture. This study explores the state of art education in Turkey as revealed by pre-service art education university instructors, and the potential of incorporating visual culture studies in pre-service art education in Turkey. It examines the instructors’ perceptions of visual culture, popular culture, and its impact on society.

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Bio

Nur Balkir
University of North Texas
Denton, Texas, USA
nurbalkir@hotmail.com

I graduated in May 2009 with a Ph.D. in art education at the University of North Texas. I earned a Bachelor degree in art education with a specialization in painting (Dokuz Eylul University, Turkey), and a Master of Fine Arts degree in printmaking (University of Newcastle, England). Studying art education has provided the pedagogical knowledge that enables me to make use of my studio expertise and knowledge of art education to inform my teaching. As recently graduated, I am now in the process of applying for university faculty positions. My future teaching practices will be located at the intersection of ethnicity, place, and culture as manifested in visual culture. In my classes I desire to continue to examine a variety of visual experiences that create and mediate culture.

 

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International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning is a publication of the Center for Excellence in Teaching at Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia, USA.