Adopting Distance Learning Approaches to Deliver Online Creative Arts Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The focus of this paper is the offering of the Bachelor of Performing Arts (External) General Degree in distance learning mode using a Learning Management System (LMS) which assisted the rapid transfer process of all undergraduate courses at the University of Visual and Performing Arts (UVPA) to online delivery mode during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research is presented as a case study, and a questionnaire was used to collect data from 81 participants. It was evident that most students have accessed learning material multiple times via the LMS and have used pre-recorded instructions/audio-visuals as educational aids effectively. Having flexible access to learning material has facilitated self-learning and contributed to improving their skills as students had opportunities to repeatedly watch demonstrations at preferred times. Results indicated that 78.1% have accessed learning materials for 10–15 times, which strongly emphasizes the students’ preference for independent learning including the effectiveness of the design and inclusion of video material. The survey indicated that 93% of participants would prefer using video instructional materials for also learning other subjects and these materials improved their skills in dancing. The prior experiences and practices of educators and students led to a smooth transition to fully online delivery of all courses offered at the UVPA demonstrating the applicability of distance learning methods to online delivery. Modern theories of education and learner behavior suggest that the use of audio-visuals as educational aids increase the capacity of knowledge internalization and this assertion was confirmed by this study.