Enhancing students’ interpersonal communication skills through visual art photography appreciation

Program Studi Pendidikan Seni, Sekolah Pascasarjana, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: reginaoronald@upi.edu

Abstract

This article aims to elucidate the research findings on the implementation of the visual art photography appreciation method to enhance students’ interpersonal communication skills. The study employed an experimental approach, conducting pre-tests and post-tests on a purposively selected sample of 35 students from a total population of 250 seventh-grade students at State Junior High School 14 in Bandung. The researchers were actively involved as instructors during three learning sessions. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. The research findings indicate that the significant use of visual art photography appre-ciation can improve students’ interpersonal communication skills. This is evi-denced by higher post-test scores compared to pre-test scores and the students’ presentation skills during the visual art photography appreciation sessions con-ducted in front of the class. This activity has implications for students’ attitudes toward the subject of Arts and Culture, specifically in the context of photography.