Current research literature reveals that there are numerous benefits such as personal growth, academic success and exposure to multiple perspectives surrounding arts-based learning (Brice Heath, 2001; Cole, 2011; Cote, 2010). According to McMahon, Klopper, & Power (2015) it is important for students to "see themselves as decision makers and understand that they can influence their own learning experiences" (p. 19). Additionally, these same researchers emphasize that teachers need to "focus on the learning experience of the students and understand that the greater value of engaging in the arts resides in the students' art making process" (p. 19). Current research has concentrated predominantly on studies of student experiences at the time that they are enrolled in arts-based programs. My study is unique as I engaged participants retrospectively on their former experiences of learning in an arts-based program. More specifically, my research question asked "what are the effects of attending an arts-based secondary school program on the subsequent lives of six former students, including myself, who graduated two decades ago?" To answer this question, I used narrative inquiry and arts-based methods supported by a social constructivist theoretical framework. More specifically, I analyzed my research through the use of an online whiteboard entitled Miro, and then expressed my findings in the form of a "factional" story (Kallio, 2015) co-narrated by myself and my participants. This 'factional' story is told through fictional characters based on my research analysis, and also includes fictional elements. Though participant stories varied, key themes emerged as they grew as people through the experience, carrying with them lingering memories that continue to influence their lives today.

Yes / Although training and workforce development are high on the policy agenda at present (eg DoH 2009), there has been less progress in thinking about the kind of education that might be needed in order to provide dementia care that is genuinely person-centred. A continuing obstacle here is the tendency to assume that people who have dementia are to be understood ¿ as a group ¿ by virtue of their shared diagnosis rather than by their lived experience, in which diagnosis is an interruption rather than the whole story. Three approaches to overcoming this obstacle that I will discuss below are arts-based learning, teaching social history awareness, and increasing the involvement of the ¿experts by experience¿, people with dementia themselves.

Many health professions are exploring the unique qualities of humanities for insights about humanistic practices, however humanities-based pedagogy has particular relevance to occupational therapy. Given the pressures to standardize and rely on quantitative evidence in occupational therapy practice, it is particularly important to provide students with a strong foundation in humanistic principles that are at the core of the profession. This doctoral project used the pedagogy of John Dewey and evidence in health humanities to develop a humanities-informed course in occupational therapy titled, Perspectives on Disability and Health and Older Adults. The course design integrates physical and biological sciences, social sciences and humanities to offer multi-focal insights into the perspectives of others, and to foster self-awareness and reflexivity. Students will engage with interdisciplinary faculty and older adults in experiences with visual art, performance, and literature to explore human experiences relating to occupation. The course aims for students to advance their understanding of the artistry of practice, to foster client-centered practice, and to advance critical thinking. An evaluation using both formative and summative methods will be used to improve the course and assess its impact on students. The project provides an example for other faculty who are inspired to use humanities to teach client centeredness, artistry of practice and critical thinking. Deweyan informed humanities based learning may contribute to wise occupational therapy practices and growth of the profession.

This thesis describes a study that was done with tutors and students in Frontier College’s Beat the Street: Literacy and Basic Skills program. Using a qualitative methodology, it focuses on stories of literacy, life and learning from tutors and students. The author’s own experiences, stories and reflections as a tutor are an important piece of the work. The thesis operates on and argues for the notion that people are made up of their stories, and that they interact with other people and the world through those stories. This research process revealed many ways in which tutor and student perceptions of literacy, learning, and each other were affected by their stories. It also revealed that in the overlaps between stories lies the potential for a moment of profound connection and learning the author describes as resonance. The thesis explores some of the ways resonance was perceived to enhance the literacy environment.

This thesis describes a study that was done with tutors and students in Frontier College’s Beat the Street: Literacy and Basic Skills program. Using a qualitative methodology, it focuses on stories of literacy, life and learning from tutors and students. The author’s own experiences, stories and reflections as a tutor are an important piece of the work. The thesis operates on and argues for the notion that people are made up of their stories, and that they interact with other people and the world through those stories. This research process revealed many ways in which tutor and student perceptions of literacy, learning, and each other were affected by their stories. It also revealed that in the overlaps between stories lies the potential for a moment of profound connection and learning the author describes as resonance. The thesis explores some of the ways resonance was perceived to enhance the literacy environment.

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