This study examines a project learning model and process-folios on public art
that the researcher have implemented for elementary teacher education during the
2007 Spring semester through the 2008 Spring semester. Two public art project
learning cases based on this model has been designed to enable elementary
preservice teachers to realize the value of teaching public art from the perspectives
of visual culture education. The project learning encourages the preservice teachers
to integrate art into their everyday lives. The project learning model consists of the
following stages: 1) Planning stage consisting of understanding task and grouping;
2) Implementation stage consisting of lense-making, perception, critical reading,
contextual research, and art-making; 3) Evaluation stage consisting of reflection
and in-class presentation. The analysis of the process-folios and the outcomes of
the project learning show that the preservice teachers have become aware of art
existing in their everyday lives and that public art can be one of effective means
to encourage students to understand art in their social and cultural context.