Getting hands-on: Praxis-focused assessment to enhance online arts teacher education

Online learning has radically altered educational access; however, challenges emerge for learning domains relying on practical learning experiences, such as the creative arts. Research shows praxis is vital to effective arts teacher preparation. However, as Australian initial teacher educators, we noted the challenges of engaging online students in arts praxis and held concerns regarding preparing them adequately for the primary classroom. In exploring solutions, we developed an approach mandating hands-on learning through assessment, theorizing this as praxis-focused pedagogy. Through surveys and interviews, we sought to understand student perspectives regarding the assessment processes and whether this improved online engagement and self-efficacy as future arts educators. Findings confirm students supported a praxis-focused approach to assessment, and reveal beneficial attributes of this approach. The study affirms significant potential for praxis-focused assessment to enhance online arts learning; an approach that may be useful in other online education courses where hands-on experience is central to learning.