Engaging students with Computer Coding in the Visual and Applied Arts in Higher Education: The Possibilities, Challenges and Opportunities

The following “Expository” thesis paper is Postgraduate Research masters by research project entitled: “Engaging students in the use of Computer Coding in the Visual and Applied Arts within Higher Education: The Possibilities, Challenges and Opportunities”. Although degree programs already exist in subject areas such as Computer Art and in Interactive Media there is a current trend that sees coding as a skill for all, and some even see it an emerging core subject along side subjects such as English and maths. As such there is opportunity for coding to be integrated in all areas of education, from Computer Science where it has its roots, to the Humanities and even Health and Medicine. This research looks at how computer coding can be integrated in a more universal form in the Visual and Applied Arts and highlights the important considerations and ways forward in todays new “coding for all” landscape, making it accessible and creating the opportunity for diversity through the integration of coding within visual arts subjects and indeed all subjects. It is an original piece of research. Qualitative and Quantitative information was collected through the collection and analysis of data from questionnaires with students and through interviews with creative professionals who had a proven and extensive history in creative digital technologies and creative coding. It is a systematic investigation following a structured methodology. It builds upon previous working experience involving small focus groups of art and design students learning coding for the first time. It is designed for the purpose of expanding knowledge and understanding, in the implementation of new and emerging technologies within Visual Arts Higher education. It was a rigorous investigation in that much data was collected from both students and creative professionals. Questions and interviews were designed to draw out the most relevant and informative information possible. The significance of the findings lie in the potential to design modernised forms of teaching and learning using interdisciplinary technologies within the Visual Arts in Higher education. The research also outlines new avenues of enquiry which could form the basis of Doctoral Research