A STUDY ON THE PERCEPTIONS OF TEACHERS ON THE IMPACT OF ART INTEGRATED LEARNING IN THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE LEARNERS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE

Abstract

Art is the creative expression of an individual. This expression can be written, verbal, an enactment or it can be visual or any form that has potential or the ability communicate human thought. Children are naturally curious and engage in play with objects and respond to music, rhythm and colours. From infancy, they delight in the interplay of light, sound, movement, shadow, shape and colour. Art Integrated Learning (AIL) is a teaching-learning model which is based on learning ‘through the arts’ and ‘with the arts’: it is a process where art becomes the medium of teaching-learning, a key to understanding concepts within any subject of the curriculum. Learners explore creatively while building connections between different concepts through various art forms. Art experiences, both in visual (drawing and painting, clay modelling, pottery, paper crafts, mask and puppet making, heritage crafts etc.) and performing arts (music, dance, theatre, puppetry etc.) lead to a better understanding and construction of knowledge about different concepts. Arts have the flexibility to accommodate age-appropriate opportunities for learners who can explore at their individual pace. This resonates with the experiential learning approach.