An investigation of Western Australian pre-service primary teachers'experiences and self-efficacy in the arts

Abstract

The arts are crucial in developing our multi-sensory interpretation of culture. With the introduction of the Australian National Curriculum in the arts, there is cause to reflect on teacher education courses, and pre-service teachers' ability to deliver the new curriculum. Reflection on students' experiences in the arts may provide insight into improving teacher education. A mixed methods study was conducted with first and fourth-year Bachelor of Education primary students at a Western Australian university, to determine students' arts experiences prior to and during the course. Fourth-year graduating students were also asked to reflect on their self-efficacy to teach the arts based on the course. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and interview observations are presented to contextualise these findings. The research emphasised the importance of building self-efficacy to support ongoing personal and professional engagement with the arts.