Koranteng, J., Ismaila, M., Adom, D. & Tetteh, M. (2020). Constructivist teaching strategies for graphic design education in selected senior high schools in Ghana
The purpose of this study was to find out the constructivist teaching strategies that can maximize students’ performances in Graphic Design in some selected Senior High Schools in Ghana. This was seen as important because of the weaknesses associated with teacher-centred teaching approaches such as using the lecture method that does not allow students to actively participate in the construction of knowledge. A qualitative inquiry was used in garnering data from 57 purposively selected sample consisting of 7 teachers and 50 students from Senior High Schools who have performed creditably in Graphic Design education in Ghana. Data were solicited from them via personal interviews, focus group discussions, and direct classroom observations on the effective teaching strategies for Graphic Design that maximize students’ learning outcomes. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis under the qualitative research approach. The results showed that student-centred teaching strategies were more effective in the teaching of the Graphic Design subject in the selected Senior High Schools in Ghana as against the popular teacher-centred approaches. Thus, Demonstration, Discussion, Cooperative- Learning, Problem-Solving, and Project-Based teaching strategies were observed to actively involve students and promoted more hands-on activities that assisted learners in acquiring the required vocational skills in the field of Graphic Design. Addressing challenges such as appropriate working studios, provision of recommended textbooks, computers for the introduction of CAD programmes proved to be effective means of enhancing Graphic Design education in the selected Senior High Schools. The study concludes that for Graphic Design education in the selected Senior High Schools to fully fulfill its objectives of assisting learners to gain the required content knowledge and hands-on skills in their chosen fields of study, more effective learner-centred teaching strategies such as discussion, problem-solving and project-based teaching strategies must be used.