On Aims and Objectives in Creative Education

This paper was originally the basis of a discussion among lecturers in Colleges of Education who face particular problems in their work. Many of the problems raised in terms of objectives and the curriculum are however common at many varied levels of teaching. The special problem in Colleges of Education Iies in the dual nature of the work, that is, in continuing the student's own education and at the same time initiating and developing his professional training. It may be this difficulty that has led to confusion and often lack of clarity on the question of aims and objectives. Colleges of Education have not been alone in their confusion over aims and objectives! It was easier when a teacher was able to affirm that children were taught Art (drawing) in order to develop co-ordination between hand and eye. This was thought to develop skill and precision which would be useful in later life. There was no evidence that it did so and indeed no evidence that it did not. Again there has never been any evidence that Art as taught in schools has helped children in later life to enjoy their leisure which was (and often is) another reason given for engaging in the activity. 'Art' has of course now become a title which subsumes a variety of crafts as they used to be understood