Reflective Practice in Pre-professional Arts Education: A Theoretical Examination Through Teacher Education

Author Information

Misun Kong, Konkuk University, South Korea
Minsung Kwon, Chung-ang University, South Korea
Jonghun Kim, Konkuk University, South Korea

Abstract

This study explores how reflective practice theories developed in teacher education can be conceptually reconstructed for pre-professional arts education in the Korean higher education context. Rather than assuming that teachers and artists are similar professional groups, the study focuses on their shared educational position as pre-professionals who develop professional practice within institutional education. In Korea, teacher education prepares pre-service teachers for professional teaching practice, while arts colleges place strong emphasis on studio, performance, and creative practice that prepares students for professional work in their artistic fields. This study conducts a theoretical and conceptual analysis of Korthagen’s ALACT reflective cycle and Darling-Hammond’s practice-based teacher education, with Schön’s reflective practitioner theory as a supporting perspective. The analysis identifies a shared learning structure involving authentic practice, reflection on experience, awareness of important aspects, exploration of alternatives, and renewed practice. However, this structure should not be directly transferred to arts education. Instead, it needs to be reconstructed in relation to the open-ended and context-dependent nature of creative practice. The study therefore proposes a reflective cycle of creative practice, reflection, awareness, alternative exploration, and re-practice. It also identifies documentation, dialogue, feedback, and opportunities for renewed practice as important educational conditions. The study provides a theoretical basis for reconsidering professional learning in Korean higher arts education through reflective practice.

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• Category: Teaching Experiences, Pedagogy, Practice & Praxis

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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