Arts as a Tool for Learning Across the Curriculum (ATLAC)

 

Arts as a tool for learning across the curriculum (ATLAC) is supported through National Lottery funds from the Scottish Arts Council.

The ATLAC project builds on Arts Across the Curriculum, a national arts education action research project which brings an innovative approach to teaching, combining the skills of artist and teacher to inspire learning and bring the curriculum to life. Teachers and professional artists team-teach in the classroom to produce learning outcomes in identified curriculum areas.

Aberdeen City Council has been 1 of the 7 Local Authorities across Scotland to participate in AAC, working with artists and teachers in five primary schools over the past two years

Arts as a Tool for Learning Across the Curriculum (ATLAC) 

With experience of the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Programme at Aberdeen University is working with Aberdeen City Arts Education Team to incorporate AAC approach into the curriculum. It is anticipated that the approach will be initiated through new pedagogic practices within the teacher training courses. The outcome of the project should provide evidence of more creative teaching methods in Scottish Education and in turn, more motivated pupils in schools.

Participants

In 2007-08, 110 students in Year 3 of the STNE BEd  and 29 Further Professional Studies from the PGDE (primary and secondary) will participate in the ATLAC programme. The progress of a cross-section of these students will be followed through research until the end of the academic year 2009/10.

Artists from across the arts (musicians, dancers, visual artists, performers) will work with the participating students and tutors in workshops held at the School of Education.

Evaluation

ATLAC will be evaluated through the collection of data from BEd (3rd yr & 4th yr) students and 18 PGDE (primary and secondary) students.

The following research questions will be considered:

  • What is the impact of incorporating an ATLAC approach within the Initial Teacher Education programme with regard to the four capacities of 'A Curriculum for Excellence'?
  • How can an ATLAC approach within the ITE programme contribute to exploring creative ways of learning and teaching through enhanced cross-curricular links? 

Interim Report

The ATLAC Interim Report is now available.  Please click here.