Importance of Arts & Design in Liberal Education STEAM Model of Higher Education

Abstract

Liberal education concept in higher education provides an opportunity for students to choose the areas of study that enhances general knowledge, human values, and develops the intellectual ability for creative thinking and innovations. This kind of education can prepare students to work confidently in a variety of job situations and different working environments. In present modern civilization, it is argued that the students need an education system which can prepare them both specialized, super specialized and humans. Accordingly, a new higher education model at the higher secondary level and college level is suggested with a liberal education concept which involves equal importance to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & design, and Mathematics called the STEAM model. In this chapter, the importance, implementation, and expected outcome of such a liberal education system are discussed with emphasis on Arts& design. The advantages, benefits, constraints, and disadvantages of the STEAM model are studies using ABCD analysis from different stakeholders’ perspectives.

Keywords: Higher education, Liberal education, STEAM, Arts & Design, ICCT, Confidence building, Creativity & innovation, Human values, Technology on arts & design