(Qamil Metalia School – Teacher)
Mentor Kovaci is a teacher at “Qamil Metalia” school. He has harbored the aspiration to teach since his youth. He pursued studies in History and Geography at the University of “Luigj Gurakuqi” in Shkoder and later earned a master’s degree in the field. Kovaci is adept in computer programs and has participated in various projects at his school, throughout Albania, and on an international level. He is recognized as an Ambassador for the EU Scientific Network, an Ambassador for the Innovative Learning Network Community, and a Coordinator for the eTwinning network. His involvement spans numerous national and international conferences on subjects including STEM, LIFE TERRA, environmental protection, and global warming. Passionate about the arts and nature, he dedicates his free time to developing various art-related projects.
Presentation: The Importance of Integrating Art In Schools
Presented together with Dallendyshe Metalia and Elva Tobli
Art is an expression of our thoughts, emotions, intuitions, and desires, but it is even more personal than that: it is about sharing the way we experience the world, which for many is an extension of personality.
Arts experiences boost critical thinking, teaching students to take the time to be more careful and thorough in how they observe the world. Art education connects students with their own culture as well as with the wider world.
Why is it important?
- Art in school provides a structured environment that keeps the students motivated and helps them learn and improve their skills effectively.
- It cultivates critical thinking, problem solving and creative expressions
- Art instruction helps students with the development of motor skills, language skills, social skills, decision-making, risk-taking and inventiveness.
- Visual arts teach learners about colors, layout, perspectives and balance: all techniques that are necessary in presentations (visual, digital) of academic work.
- Integrating art with other disciplines reaches students who might not otherwise be engaged in classroom
- Through art we promote our country’s heritages (music, costumes, food, cultural sites, traditions, language and symbols) and make students feel proud of where they come from. By this way they can preserve and promote them.
- Art promotes creativity by allowing students to explore and express their unique ideas
To sum up, art does matter in the school delivering a wide range of advantages for students. Teachers can make the most of that potential by equipping themselves to offer creative practice as a central feature in the curriculum and show decision-makers how these initiatives can achieve transformative results. They ought to be prepared to work in a variety of learning environments, incorporate digital tools into their pedagogy and foster critical thinking and making art becomes the approach to teaching and the vehicle for learning.
“The aim of art is not to represent the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” (Aristotle)
Facebook: “Qamil Metalia” School
Dallendyshe Metalia – Head mistress -“Qamil Metalia” School, Has, Albania. dallendyshe.metalia@hotmail.com
Elva Tobli – English teacher – “Qamil Metalia” School, Has, Albania, Fatlumtobli7@gmail.com
Mentor Kovaci – Science teacher – “Qamil Metalia” School, Has, Albania, mentorkovaci@hotmail.co.uk