Course Description

The curriculum for Arts and Crafts is based on the National Curriculum for Pre-school Teacher Education, approved by the Ministry of Education and Research on April 3rd, 2003 and functions as the students’ and teachers’ working plan for carrying out the study.

Arts and crafts are about people’s ability and need to create and communicate through images, sculpture and utility objects. Historically and culturally, the subject is based on values and traditions within art, architecture, design and handicrafts. The subject stresses visual and tactile expressions in two- and three-dimensional forms. Students will be introduced to examples of creative work ranging from a child’s first scribbling to our culture’s advanced works of art.

The course will help students develop into competent communication partners for growing children, as regards creative arts and crafts activities. Students will develop professional competence through experience with their own creative work, by learning about children development theories concerning and through their own practical work with children. Students will be trained to understand how children perceive their surroundings, and thereby gain insight into the needs of both children and their parents. Students will learn how the shaping of the day-care centre promotes the mediation of cultural and aesthetic values which are significant for the exploration and play of children.

Assessment Methods

Throughout the course, students and teachers will participate in an informal assessment of practical creative work, assignments, projects and study methods. Two students from each group will be chosen to be members of an Academic Affairs Committee that will formalise the groups’ assessment of the course. Practical creative work may, in some parts of the course, be carried out in groups, but the log with didactic-theoretical descriptions is to be kept individually by students. All assignments must be completed, and the results approved by the teacher before students will be allowed to participate in the final assessment.

Final Assessment

A final formal assessment is made when the following work has been submitted at the end of the second semester, and is assessed according to specified criteria:

1. The student’s logbook with documentation

2. The student’s written didactic/theoretical assignment

3. Two of the student’s practical creative pieces of work (one product related to the collaboration with drama/music and one selected by the student)

Criteria for the assessment of the log with documentation:

- Aesthetic crafts, performance, creativity, quality of documentation and professional level

Criteria for assessment of written didactic/theoretical assignment:

- Reasoning ability and understanding of subject theory

Criteria for assessment of practical creative work:

- Performance, technical execution, creativity and aesthetic expression

In the final assessment, the three components will be weighted as follows:

Log 3/7, theory 2/7 and practical creative work 2/7. All three components must receive passing grades in order for the course to be approved.

A single grade will be recorded on the diploma. The grading scale ranges from A to F, where A is the highest grade and F is the lowest passing grade.

Please refer to Telemark University College’s Examination Regulations for further information.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean