Small group studies in primary school visual arts education lesson: An action research

Small group teaching methods and techniques stand as one of the most importantfeatures in carrying out student-centred education in real life situations. The main smallgroup teaching methods and techniques are problem solving, role playing, buzz groups,fish-bowling, simulation, brain storming, cooperative learning and educational games.The aim of this study was to find out how the small grup studies can be carried out inVisual Arts lesson in primary schools. Since the study is based on educationalapplications of small group studies in Visual Arts lesson, it was conducted within theaction research design. The study was conducted in Gümüşkonak Primary School ofGünyüzü County of Eskişehir in the fall term of 2009-2010. The educational side of thestudy was done with all 17 students in class 4/A. The small group studies wereperformed during 9 periods of Visual Arts lesson between the dates 16 December 2009and 31 December 2009.Throughout the research, qualitative data were gathered fromdifferent sources such as; demographic information scale, diary, semi-structuredinterviews, video-tape recordings and Team Evaluation Forms. The validity of the data wastriangulated. The collected data were analyzed via descriptive analysis. The results wereinterpreted in close connection with the research questions. The realiability of theresearch was maintained by means of multiple evaluators.Key Words: Primary education, Visual Arts lesson, small group teaching