Teaching artistry: empowering learning through the arts

This microcredential aligns with the NESA Professional Development Framework and the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in several key ways:

1. Ongoing Learning:

The microcredential emphasises practical application of arts-rich pedagogy, encouraging participants to integrate drama and creative strategies into their teaching practice. By reflecting on their experiences and adjusting their methods, teachers will build a broad repertoire of strategies to adapt to various classroom contexts, ensuring that professional development is future-focused and embedded in practice.

2. Collaborative Learning:

Participants will work together in co-mentoring relationships, particularly in the immersive workshops. This aligns with NESA’s focus on collaborative learning, where structured discussions and feedback among teachers foster a deeper understanding of teaching strategies. The microcredential will also provide opportunities for peer feedback and reflection, supporting the collaborative nature of effective professional development.

3. Context-Specific:

The course is tailored to be highly relevant to teachers’ individual contexts, focusing on the specific needs of their students and school priorities. For example, by incorporating drama and arts-based strategies into English and literacy instruction, teachers will be better equipped to meet the needs of diverse learners, including those from disadvantaged or marginalised communities. This aligns with NESA’s principle that PD should be meaningful and context-specific.

4. Evidence-Based:

The microcredential is grounded in robust research around arts integration and its positive impact on student engagement, literacy, and overall academic achievement. The course draws on established studies, such as those from the School Drama program and related research by Professor Robyn Ewing. This ensures that the professional learning offered is supported by strong evidence, promoting innovative and effective teaching practices.

5. Priority Areas:

The course addresses NESA’s priority areas of:

• Delivery and assessment of the NSW Curriculum using drama to enhance literacy outcomes.
• Supporting Aboriginal students and children, as some course content may include exploration of texts by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors, which is encouraged by NESA.
• Student engagement and well-being, as the arts-rich pedagogy fosters student creativity, confidence, and collaboration, improving emotional and social well-being in alignment with the priorities for student mental health.

By aligning with these core elements of the NESA Professional Development Framework, this microcredential ensures that participants not only meet their accreditation requirements but also engage in meaningful, evidence-based, and practical learning that improves teaching outcomes.

This course is designed for teachers, educators, and creative practitioners who want to strengthen their capacity to use the arts in education. It is particularly suited to primary and secondary teachers across all subject areas who want to bring creativity into their classrooms, as well as arts educators, community facilitators, and school leaders interested in arts-rich approaches to learning.

The course is delivered through facilitator-led workshops, collaborative group activities, and reflective practice sessions. Learning is interactive, practical, and hands-on, giving participants opportunities to trial arts-based strategies, design their own learning experiences, and engage in professional dialogue with peers.

No formal prerequisites are required. Participants should have an interest in education and creativity, and a willingness to experiment with arts-based practices. Recommended reading will be provided as optional resources to extend learning, but no prescribed texts are required.

Assessment consists of a short reflective task and a practice-based design activity. Participants will submit a creative learning design or teaching plan that applies strategies from the course to their own professional context, alongside a reflective commentary on how teacher artistry enhances creativity and student engagement.

All courses must be paid in advance of commencing your course. We accept the following payment methods:

• Mastercard
• Visa
• American Express (only available for enrolments made through the Sydney Short Courses website)
• Electronic Funds Transfer (for comany invoices only)
• Journal Transfer (for University of Sydney Staff only)