Visual Art Education Teachers' Attitude toward Incorporating ICT in Arts Classrooms

Abstract

Visual Art Education (VAE) is a subject that emphasizes creativity, innovation and critical thinking VAE teachers are urged to integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the learning of their students so that those abilities such as creativity can be improved. Despite a plethora of literature that highlights the benefits of ICT in learning, VAE teachers were found not serious toward integrating ICT into their teaching. This paper reports a study which aimed to determine Malaysian Visual Art Education teachers’ attitudes, beliefs, and their level of confidence toward incorporating ICT into art classrooms. Moreover, this study explored teachers’ specific approach of ICT and factors that influence their integration of ICT into art classrooms. The participants of this study were eighteen Visual Art Education teachers from three selected secondary schools in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Data for the study were gathered by face-to-face interviews. The findings of the study indicated that although Malaysian VAE teachers’ did posed a positive attitude toward ICT integration, but they did not fully utilizing ICT in arts classrooms. Sufficient resources, support from school administrator and continues professional development were three main factors that contributed towards successful ICT integration. In light of published research on the integration of ICT in the VAE subject area, findings of this study will contribute towards guiding school organizations, teachers training institutions and the Ministry of Education towards establishing a standard for successful ICT integration, especially in the context of the VAE.