A Cloud Observational Learning System of Art Education via E-Learning in Taiwan

This study tried to apply observational learning of social learning theory in the curriculum of art education in an elementary school. Art creation skills are complicated and difficult to memorize, and thus this study expected to utilize computer to assist in the instruction. In order to solve the problems such as long creation process, massive information, complicated computing, and the difficulty to learn from others' works, this study developed a cloud education system to assist instruction. This course was taught on two groups by two teachers. The group using the cloud education system was the on-line observational learning group, and the other group was the general observational learning group. For students' evaluation, this study used "Measurement of Children's Painting Expression Ability" designed by Guo (1994) to be the evaluation instrument; higher score represents stronger painting performance ability, and vice versa. 61 pieces of work collected by the researcher were analyzed and scored by two teachers, and a statistical analysis was conducted based on the results. Image expression ability, color expression ability, space expression ability, and aesthetic expression ability were all significantly different between the two groups; that is, the scores of the on-line observational learning group were better than those of the general observational group. But there was no significant difference in completeness expression ability, showing that these two groups were equal in this ability. Besides, after the instruction was finished, this study used a questionnaire to survey students and conducted a teacher interview on their satisfaction with the system. The results showed that students were highly satisfied with the functions of high-speed computing, repeated play, fine work quotation, work observation and learning of this system, and teachers had a high evaluation about using this system to teach.