ABSTRACT
New Zealand has a large, rurally based population; people have traditionally earned their main income through the exports of meat, wool and dairy products. Teachers work in highly individual ways and vary their approaches to meet different circumstances. A survey taken of a sampling of two hundred and fifty of the students of the Art papers produced some interesting figures. Both men and women are able to take Advanced Studies for Teachers Unit (ASTU) papers, but the clientele is mainly women. Distance education is the only choice for many teachers in the rural areas. Some adults lose confidence very easily, especially in the Arts. One might think that studying at a distance is disadvantageous to art students, especially, as is the case in New Zealand, where students have no face-to-face contact with their tutor. However, comparisons of practical art work reveal that the distant student succeeds as well as any student in face-to-face classes at the Teachers College.
