Arias+of+learning

**Arias of learning: creativity and performativity in Australian teacher education,** Julie White, Cambridge Journal of Education Vol. 36, No. 3, September 2006, pp. 435–453
This article presents the findings of five year study, where students were encouraged to enhance their creativity through ‘ethnographic’ operatic performances. In these so-called ‘Arias of learning’ the narratives explored the personal experiences of the students in their learning of teaching. Rather that learn ‘about’ curriculum and pedagogy the students were encouraged to learn by ‘doing’. They were being encouraged to foster two aspects of creativity: risk taking and daring, as well as collaboration. It was also designed to encourage and support the students when working in unfamiliar and possibly personally challenging ways. The article is interspersed with students’ reflections on the project and the majority although challenged found it to be a rewarding and worthwhile exercise. “My participation in the opera was an amazing experience … what started off as a daunting trip into the unknown, turned out to be an extremely educational and rewarding journey …” Another student comments that it wasn’t the end product of the opera that was important, it was the journey that was more meaningful, and there was also acknowledgment of the importance in working in teams when undertaking a new challenge.

review by Alison Harvey