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Piloting an online art therapy course

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Abstract

THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES the development and assessment of a graduate level online art therapy class. An introduction briefly defines art therapy and the need for distance learning in this field. The challenges inherent in teaching art therapy online, including working with art media and developing appropriate interpersonal skills and group processes among prospective art therapists are explained, as well as strategies used to meet such challenges. The focus of the article lies in exploring whether and how students can learn art therapy online, a discipline that traditionally requires face-to-face instruction. Visual and verbal examples of student work demonstrate how art therapy techniques were used to meet course objectives and to support a learning community. An objectives-oriented approach (Worthen & Sanders, 1987) was used in the summative evaluation. Conclusions and recommendations based on successful pedagogical strategies are given.

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Author notes

  1. Holly Feen-Calligan

    Present address: College of Education, Wayne State University, 163 Community Arts Building, 48202, Detroit, MI

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    1. Holly Feen-Calligan
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    Correspondence to Holly Feen-Calligan.

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    ABOUT THE AUTHORS Holly Feen-Calligan is Assistant Professor in the College of Education at Wayne State University where she coordinates the Art Therapy Program.

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    Feen-Calligan, H. Piloting an online art therapy course. J. Comput. High. Educ. 19, 98–120 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03033428

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03033428

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