Things fall apart: what can we do when nothing seems to work?

Abstract Mentoring in an art institution seems to be a particularly vulnerable line of business. You devote yourself to a small number of students each year, give your energy and creativity to their wellbeing โ€“ and with some of them, itโ€™s as if your meetings had never taken place: each session you start from more …

Reflective teaching in the creative arts

Abstract This paper explores the conceptualisation of reflective teaching on creative educational development programmes and the extent to which enabling a reflective disposition may be influenced by the forms, interpretations and underpinning values of reflective practices in the creative arts. ย The author reflects on her own role as a senior educational developer working in a …

Work shock: expectation vs reality

Abstract The number of international students at UCA has doubled since last academic year.ย  With the targets for international recruitments moving ever higher, additional opportunities for international students to study at UCA have been created through short courses, exchange and transfer opportunities along with the development of UCA course franchises with partnership universities. As a …

Power to the people: how should universities position community in curriculum design?

Abstract Since the publication of the theory of communities of practice, much has been written about the potential for participation in a community to enhance learning. Many students now entering university are regular participants in numerous online and blended communities due to social networking, a phenomenon based around participation and information exchange. But upon arrival …

If I knew then what I know now: reflections on an early teaching experience

Abstract The context for this reflection was my application for HEA recognition at senior fellow level during my MA in Creative Arts Education. The authorโ€™s early experiences as a novice contextual studies lecturer, in an isolated department, are reflected upon as establishing a certain belief system around questioning assumptions of studentsโ€™ needs and capabilities. Consideration …

Welcome to Issue 1

Hello and welcome to the first issue of JUICE, the Journal of Useful Investigations in Creative Education! Launching a journal is no small task. It requires the belief and commitment of a dedicated team of individuals, and so I would like to begin by expressing my sincere thanks to all the authors and peer reviewers …

Distance Learning in Creative Arts Education: understanding the benefits of time and distance in the delivery of HE at the Open College of the Arts

Michael Young founded the Open College of the Arts (OCA) in 1987 with the aim of widening participation in the arts without prior qualification or restrictions. This article draws on my experience as a programme leader and tutor with the OCA and research from students and staff sharing a qualitative assessment of our flexible, open-access, …