Being Ethical: Process Drama and Professional Ethics Education for Pre-service Drama Teachers

Abstract

This paper outlines findings from a study exploring how participation in process drama may assist pre-service teachers to develop an enhanced sense of moral character, agency and virtue ethics. The study explores the intersection between initial teacher education, process drama, drama teaching and professional ethics education. Findings indicate that process drama offers an immersive, applied, visceral experience that enables pre-service teachers to rehearse difficult conversations, explore ethical dilemmas, model and explore how they want to be. Process drama offers a form of moral pedagogy that supports the development of a holistic professional ethic, addresses all aspects of moral literacy and provides a safe space for pre- service teacher to explore what it means to “be” ethical.