Drawing for Wellbeing

Course aim

This 6-week course will introduce learners to a series of gentle, experimental drawing techniques that support and encourage a sense of wellbeing.

Do I need any particular skills or experience?

• You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
• You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
• This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
• No skills or experience needed
• This course is suitable for beginners and improvers

By the end of the course I should be able to:

• Create a collection of drawings that will explore the benefits of simple, repetitive, activities.
• Use gentle, mindful drawing techniques to improve your sense of wellbeing.
• Build creative confidence and develop new drawing skills.
• Enjoy experimenting creatively without the pressure of pre-planned outcomes in a supportive, informal learning environment.
• Continue using these relaxing drawing processes to help reduce stress levels and support a sense of calm.

How will I be taught?

• The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
• The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning

What kind of feedback can I expect?

• Your tutor will provide written, text and audio feedback recorded in WEA Canvas, WEA’s digital learning platform.
• You will be able to keep a digital portfolio of your work on WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas.
• A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
• You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
• You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
• You will be encouraged to consider other students work and give your opinions and suggestions
• There will be a number of tasks appropriate to your course such as written work, creating art or craft, video, photography or small projects. Some of these may be marked to help you progress

What else do I need to know?

• What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
• You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
• Resources: Basic art materials such as paper, pens, pencils, rubber, sharpener etc. You may also need scissors and additional resources such as coloured pencils, chalks etc. if you already have them at home.

Pre-course work, reading and information sources

• You will have access to course resources and links to wider learning through the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
• No pre reading or pre course work is required

What can I do next?

• Progress to another WEA course
• Progress to a course with another provider
• This course could lead to a range of job opportunities. Follow link to National Careers Service for more details https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/
• Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
• Become involved as a volunteer for a WEA partner or another organisation
• You could progress to Higher Education courses. Follow link to the PEARL website for information http://pearl.open.ac.uk/
• Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next