Collaborative art-making for reducing marginalisation and promoting intercultural education and inclusion

ABSTRACT

The main goal of this study is to examine how teachers and students experienced the implementation of educational activities, materials and related pedagogical strategies of collaborative art-making. The activities were designed to strengthen intercultural education and inclusion practices, reduce social and academic marginalisation and increase the participation of marginalised children in the curricula, cultures and societies of schools. The current study examines only the implementation of activities in Cyprus. The findings of this study suggest that collaborative art-making allowed the voices of culturally diverse students to be heard, promoting the exchange of ideas and stories regarding diversity. Additionally, the implementation of the activities led to the development of students’ civic efficacy and democratic agency, while it contributed to friendship development.

KEYWORDS:

• Collaborative art-making
• marginalisation
• intercultural education
• Cyprus education

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Christina Hajisoteriou is teaching Intercultural Education at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. Her research interests fall in the field of globalisation, Europeanisation, migration, identity politics, intercultural education and inclusion. She has published widely in research journals. Her latest book is The Globalisation of Intercultural Education: The Politics of Macro–Micro Integration.

Panayiotis Angelides is professor and the dean of the School of Education at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. Previously he served as an elementary school teacher. His research interests are focused on finding links between inclusive education, teacher development and school improvement. A particular feature of this research is to develop collaborative approaches that have a direct and immediate impact on teachers’ practice. His latest book is entitled Pedagogies of Inclusion.