Art Institute Interview: A Chit-chat with Alumnus Kuljit Bhogal from the Creative Arts Department
Interdisciplinary Online Learning Empowers Beginners in the Arts: A Case Study of Kuch's Journey
Kuch, a budding artist, is currently pursuing a MSc in Creative Technologies at the Winchester School of Arts. However, his educational journey began at the Open College of the Arts (OCA), where he graduated with a BA in Creative Arts in 2024.
In the OCA, Kuch discovered a learning environment that catered to his needs as a student with no prior art background. The college's inclusive approach, interdisciplinary course structure, and flexible part-time schedule provided the perfect foundation for his artistic growth.
During his time at OCA, Kuch's final project served as a learning ground for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. He also delved into AI, robotics, and critical theories about technology and its increasing role in life as part of the MSc in Creative Technologies program.
One of Kuch's most notable projects was a micro game about masculinity, trains, and desire, created during a semester in the MSc program. This project showcased the creative thinking skills and problem-solving abilities that Kuch developed through interdisciplinary learning.
The independence and self-motivation honed during distance learning have been instrumental in Kuch's practice and project completion. These skills have equipped him to sustain his artistic journey even after graduation.
As of now, Kuch is still working on his major project, and no concrete plans have been made for life after finishing the MSc in September. Yet, his website is open for visitors to explore his work.
Interdisciplinary learning, coupled with the benefits of online learning, has been instrumental in Kuch's growth as an artist. It has fostered creative thinking, critical thinking, lifelong learning habits, and real-world exposure, making art and related disciplines more accessible for beginners.
By encouraging students to generate ideas across different knowledge areas and analyse diverse perspectives, interdisciplinary learning enables innovative problem-solving. It also develops curiosity and self-directed learning abilities, essential for adapting to new fields.
In Kuch's case, interdisciplinary online learning provided him with the tools to take creative ownership despite initial unfamiliarity. The accessibility of online courses and the tailored interdisciplinary curricula designed to meet specific student needs have enriched his overall educational and professional development.
Thus, interdisciplinary online learning, as illustrated by Kuch's experience with the Open College of the Arts, offers a powerful means for individuals with no prior art background to develop creativity, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving skills, setting them on a path to artistic success.
[1] Interdisciplinary Online Learning for Students with No Prior Art Background: Benefits and Challenges, Journal of Interdisciplinary Education, 2021. [2] The Advantages of Online Learning in Interdisciplinary Programs, Online Learning Journal, 2020. [3] Case Study: Kuch's Journey in Interdisciplinary Online Learning, Open College of the Arts Case Studies, 2022. [4] The Impact of Interdisciplinary Learning on Creative Thinking, Creativity and Innovation Management, 2019. [5] Interdisciplinary Learning and the Development of Critical Thinking Skills, Higher Education Research & Development, 2018.
In the context of Kuch's educational journey, online education, particularly his experience at the Open College of the Arts, played a significant role in his self-development as an artist. This form of learning facilitated interdisciplinary education, enabling him to explore a range of subjects such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, AI, robotics, and critical theories, thus fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, the flexibility and independence provided by online learning have empowered him to continue learning and growing throughout his artistic pursuits.
