Integrating Visual Art and Public Speaking: Student Perceptions and Experiences of Engagement

This study integrates visual art with a public speaking assignment to explore participants’ experiences and perceptions of engagement in the Teacher-Researcher’s course at Lynn University. Using an action research design and with informed consent, seven students volunteered as participants. This study investigates these seven participants’ experiences and perceptions of emotional engagement with the visual art integration implementation, consisting of instruction, activities, and assignments. Participants’ prior academic experiences and perceptions of art and public speaking frames the analysis of their perceptions and experiences of emotional engagement with this art integration implementation. Emotional engagement is operationalized as participants’ experiences and perceptions of art, public speaking, immersion, artistic mindset, and benefits. The Teacher-Researcher analyzes participants’ art making processes and products for experiences and perceptions of emotional engagement. The art integrated implementation involved participants learning about art and belief systems (religion and philosophy) and public speaking through art. Participants created visual art, which served as a focal point of a presentation they delivered. The Teacher-Researcher is interested in learning about emotional engagement with the art integrated presentation assignment to refine future research and practice.