Research consultancy
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction
This chapter will review the study in line with study objectives according to different scholars
The study will use specifically three objectives which will include; assessing the effect of computer software knowledge of teachers on teaching fine art, establishing the effect of computer infrastructure on teaching of fine art and examine the influence of computer knowledge and skills among fine art teachers on teaching fine art in secondary schools.
The study will review the literature using information from; schools documents, government reports, Newspapers, Magazines, text books and journals.
2.1 The effect of computer software knowledge of teachers on teaching fine art
According to Brown, (2012) ICT presents unique opportunities for supporting creativity and extending visual arts “beyond clay, crayons and paint” (Stankiewicz, 2004). This potential was recognized as far back as the 1980s when Crowe (1988) commented that ICT could assist with exploring design problems, enhance artistic decision making and provide new opportunities for learning. Since then the literature has continued to highlight the potential for ICT in supporting visual arts teaching: “For visual education these are incredibly exciting times offering new possibilities” (Long, 2001). The teaching and learning of Fine Art in the Nigerian institutions most importantly in the 21st century have developed within the framework of theory and practice. In this technological age, the effective means of communication in the classroom instruction requires the use of communication technologies.
Information and communication technology presents a unique opportunity for supporting creativity (Brown, 2002) and extending visual arts “beyond clay, crayon and paints”. ICT could assist with exploring design problem, enhance artistic decision making and provide new opportunities for learning. Drawing and painting software, digital still and video cameras, electronic portfolios, scanners, colour laser printers, samplers and sound mixers, image manipulation, video editing, 3D animation, internet and webpage construction can all play a role in supporting students artistic expression. As technology advances artist are provided with diverse means of communication or expression. These tools of artistic expression change as man’s quest for high taste increases. While undoubtedly, the computer is the magic wand of our time. It is not without its limitation, both generally and specifically in the Nigerian context.
Technology has provided artist with the new tools throughout history. As new technology Unfolds, artist learns to use them and traditional means of expression are transformed or entirely new means of expression were developed Olejarz (1999). As technology advances, artist are provided with diverse means of communication or expression, this tool of artistic expression changes as man’s quest for high taste increases. Some of the prospects of integrating computer into Fine Art curriculum as highlighted by Olejarz (1999) include;
Compact Tool Kit: It is amazing to note that all the materials needed by the artist could be readily available or found on the computer, Packages like Corel Draw, Photoshop and Photo paint, provides artist with a wide variety of art materials. It is also very possible for an artist to have a mobile studio, if such artist can afford an art functioning laptop that could be carried around and work with, at his/her leisure time. In a nutshell, one need not travel far distance before one can acquire expensive art materials.
Computer Enhanced Creativity: Craft (2000) described creativity as imaginative activity fashioned so as to produce outcomes that are both original and of value. This description combines the ability and sensibility of user with his manipulative ability to compose idea on the computer. It is the user that has the control and hence, the users need the technical knowhow to be able to manipulate the tools already available on the computer. This computer can be programmed to stimulate the kind of design you want based on defined criteria and design rules.
2. 2 The effect of computer infrastructure on teaching of fine art in secondary schools
Wachira (2015) the use of computer systems in the in schools improves performance in a number of ways. Firstly, the computers improve the level of coordination between different classes in schools. This has enabled schools across the country to improve on service delivery effectiveness and general teaching of students in secondary schools.
Wachira (2015) further contends that use of computer infrastructure improves on speed and reliability of school transfer and processing of information among teachers and students with in the respective schools. This helps the different departments in the schools to send and receive information like test questions in a short time which leads to general improvement of the schools. There is a delay in teaching and producing good artwork using the analogue methods in almost every school in the country. However, teachers can do this work effectively, quickly and accurately a short period of time hence finishing the syllabus in due time (Lavers & Hickey, 2016).
Teaching fine art can be made easier using proper computer infrastructures. The use of internet services as an effective Information systems infrastructure in schools in Nigeria has been adopted by the teachers to record teachable information in form of documents and videos which is then uploaded on school websites so that students can download and read or watch themselves which enhance performance of students in the country (Ukachi, 2015).
Rotich (2015) also believes that the adoption of computers in schoolsl helps to provide better and an effective communication between different departments in the schools and also between the schools and the outside world. Good computer infrastructure has proved not only to facilitate better createativity within the students but also enables them to interact with other students in the outside world hence producing artworks.
Wilson et al., (2015) states that the use of websites enables school to develop long-term relationship between the schools, parents and students. He further asserts that websites are where students and parents keep checking on the major changes in the school. The school websites can provide information to the customers about the what happens in schools.
Schools across the country have tried to acquire computer software and hard ware in key school departments like accounting, and creation of computer rooms where students can access them; this is to enable schools manage this resource better.
Paul and Pascale (2013) stated that due to lack of government involvement in the supply of computers to secondary schools in the country, school department like the fine art department have seen slow development in the use of this technology to teach students.
2.3 Computer knowledge and skills among fine art teachers on teaching fine art in secondary schools.
Knowledge has become one of the most highly valued commodities in the modern economy. Further, knowledge is considered the principal tool of competitiveness and innovation in the composition of commodity chain to the broader processes of regional and national economic development (Ajuwon, 2015). The new paradigm is that, within the organization, knowledge must be shared in order for it to grow thus sharing knowledge among its management and staff grows stronger and becomes more competitive (Tarhini, 2015).
Computer as a Technology for Storage:
It is easy to store or save one’s creative art work on the computer. If one is unable to complete a particular design he or she can continue when next he or she is opportune to do so. With this nothing will tamper with the design unlike the conventional one that may be rough through constant handling or may even get lost or be misplaced. Computer can keep files up to date so that any design can be assessed anytime one need to do so. Attached to a computer facility are data storage devices capable of storing large volumes of data. Data on such devices are also stored in more readily accessible way to facilitate ease of access to information. Computer files, unlike the regular ones cannot easily be mixed up and effective control can be easily established on such computer-stored design.
Computer Reduce Time and Cost:
Egbedokun, (2004) found out in his study when he compared the students who were exposed to Computer Aided Design (CAD) instruction with those in the conventional classroom and the result was overwhelming. It was shown that students need not to wait for colour to ferment, board to be stretched and other conventional materials to form before they start to design. These were made faster since all these conventional materials have been digitalized. In terms of cost, this has been reduced when compared to initial cost of computer system. From these findings, it is clear that the use of computer makes the work of art to be faster, neater and well proportional.
Mistakes can be easily corrected, resulting in decreased anxiety and promotion of xperimentation which lies at the heart of creativity (Wood, 2004). As the use of digital media is expanding, new career opportunity has opened up for graduates of arts. Those with the knowledge, skills and proficiency in digital art and design are well situated to obtain employment in commercial industries, such as advertising, film animation, textiles industries, production industries and other computer graphics industries Technology provides exciting opportunities for enriching and transforming art teaching, providing teachers and students alike with new tools to access, organize and present information and to enrich lessons through multimedia (Wood,2004).
The Worldwide Web also provides a virtual international gallery for teachers and students’ work (Loveless, 2003). ICT can engage and inspire students and this has been cited as a factor influencing ready adopters of ICT (Wood 2004). However, the fact that ICT can in theory and even in practical assist developments efforts does not mean that it will necessarily do so, In order for ICT to positively foster developmental goals of secondary school education, it must be employed effectively (UNDP,2000).
On the strength of the importance of ICT to the teaching of Fine Arts, it is expedient to find out the impact of ICT on the teaching/learning situation in our secondary schools, using Mubende district as a case study. The focus of this research to find out whether computer software knowledge of teachers has an effect teaching fine art in secondary schools.
