Drama-based Activities Research Articles

Drama in STEAM education: Possible approaches and connections to drama-based activities in STEAM education

AbstractDrama in Education (DiE) has been a well-known teaching technique for an active learning approach for students. It utilizes different forms of conventions to enhance a student's learning experience in the classroom, offering alternatives instead of the traditional teaching approaches. Drama can encourage students to learn and think critically and improve public speaking, communication, and confidence. The article portrays the use of drama activities in STEAM education by depicting the benefits and challenges. This study uses a qualitative approach to collect data, including relevant literature, descriptions of drama activities, and observation. The findings display that drama in STEAM education can improve and stimulate students' learning and knowledge in a particular subject. This study aimed to view 19 higher education students' perspectives of drama activities in STEAM. Two activities were completed during this pilot study and observations were made throughout the process. Furthermore, drama in STEAM stimulated the students, were more enthusiastic about exploring, examining and learning, socializing with their groupmates, and the confidence to perform.

Building French-as-a-Second-Language Teacher Candidates’ Linguistic Confidence through Drama-Based Activities

French-as-a-second-language (FSL) teacher candidates’ French proficiency and confidence are key indicators of recruitment and retention of FSL teachers. This paper outlines a pilot project, the Conversation Club, that was used to address linguistic insecurity and proficiency in FSL teacher candidates at one university. The Conversation Club was a drop-in 1-hour session conducted over 5 weeks where participants conversed, played games, and participated in dramatic activities entirely in French. The findings from this pilot project demonstrate how linguistic confidence of FSL teacher candidates can be improved with only a few short sessions in French. Further, participants developed their pedagogical knowledge and skills through experiential learning by participating in activities that they could in turn implement in their FSL classrooms. Last, participants developed a social network of support. Findings support the benefit of implementing low-pressure, game-focused drop-in French-language support group within FSL teacher preparation programs to support FSL teachers’ linguistic confidence and, potentially, FSL teacher retention. An outline of the club and suggestions for implementation are included in the appendices of this article.

Investigating Pre-Service Teachers’ Satisfaction of Integrating Drama-Based Activities into Practical Science Teaching

This study explored the views of 63 Taiwanese pre-service teachers who had participated in a workshop about the value of integrating drama-based approaches in their practical science learning. It was primarily designed to investigate the pedagogical approach of Heathcote and other founders of process drama. In addition, it examined specific claims that it immerses learners in an enjoyable and social learning environment (Poston-Anderson, 2008; Lin, 2017) and that learners can practice core scientific skills such as making predictions, observing, and then validating their predictions (Weisberg et al., 2016). Following the workshop, participants completed an anonymized online questionnaire. Descriptive data analysis indicated that most participants (75%) strongly agreed that integrating drama-based approaches into practical science teaching was satisfying. Of the remainder, 20.7% agreed, 2.1% neither agreed nor disagreed, 2.2% disagreed, and none strongly disagreed with this statement. Moreover, 34.9% of the participants lacked opportunities to experience improvisation and integration of drama-based teaching in practical science. The study indicated that a drama-based approach can be a highly effective strategy for enhancing practical science teaching among pre-service teachers. Furthermore, the findings provide valuable insights into the factors influencing drama-based teaching in practical science. They suggest it could be an excellent strategy to stimulate learners’ interest in science and interdisciplinary science-related subjects and improve their science skills. Teachers could thus provide young children with similar drama-based teaching in practical science activities to promote their learning of science. Finally, the study offers a set of important recommendations for future pedagogical policymaking and further research by drama-based practitioners.

BENEFITS OF DRAMA-BASED ACTIVITIES FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

The ongoing full-scale war in Ukraine has disrupted education, affecting both students and teachers. Despite numerous challenges, the country continues to pursue its educational reform. This paper investigates the role of drama-based activities in developing public speaking skills of high school students. The literature review emphasizes the need for innovative teaching methods in the face of educational reform. Empirical studies analyzed showcase positive impact of drama-based activities on speaking skills development of high school students worldwide. To contextualize the research within Ukrainian educational policy, the study defines key terms such as "drama," "dramatization", ”drama-based activities”, and "public speaking" in the foreign language learning context. The study defines dramatization as the interaction of a teacher and students in drama games, role plays, improvisations, simulations and theatre projects aimed at forming the students’ communicative competence. Public speaking is positioned as a crucial component of broader communicative competence, as outlined in educational standards. The paper proposes pedagogical implications for integrating drama-based activities into language lessons, elective courses, and extracurricular activities at the upper-secondary level. The synthesis of research findings reveals three overarching categories of benefits of drama-based activities for public speaking skills development of high school students: language learning, personal, and social. Improved pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar skills, increased engagement, creativity, and enhanced interpersonal skills are reported outcomes. The study concludes with a call for further research, particularly exploring the integration of technology, including artificial intelligence, to enhance public speaking of high school students.

Effects of Applying Drama-Based Activities in Speaking Classes on EFL Students’ Speaking Performance

Effects of Applying Drama-Based Activities in Speaking Classes on EFL Students’ Speaking Performance

Drama approaches across higher education in the English curriculum: students perspectives on holistic activity-based teaching

Drama may be a useful technique for improving pupils' language acquisition in any subject. Implementing such a strategy in an actual classroom setting could be a problem for any instructor or person. The idea behind this study was to establish whether using drama-based activities in pedagogy has any positive educational outcomes. The study used a quantitative technique, and included a specific section about students’ perspective on data collection from over a thousand students. They are studying in different faculties in undergraduate courses where English is a compulsory subject. The researcher independently designed the research instrument which was used to elicit responses from learners. The data collection method uses purposive sampling in the present study. Activities that encourage language-learning skills include role-plays and extended role-plays, which are described in the research as drama elements that can be useful in teaching languages. The study's findings support the use of drama as a strategic approach and have a bigger influence on student learning results.

The Effectiveness of Using Drama-based Activities in English L2 Classroom

This paper aims to develop understanding of EFL teachers’ educational reflective practice in the context of international schools and understand how the boundaries of knowledge and practice are advanced through research. It explored the feasibility, strengths, and challenges of implementing drama-based pedagogical method in English L2 classroom in international education settings in China. Out of ethical consideration, the author must emphasize here that the research is hypothetical, and it will not be carried out using my learners.

Ролевое экспериментирование в подростковом возрасте: применение драмы для конструирования зоны ближайшего развития

In 2019 a multidisciplinary research project “Digital Storytelling Theater” was launched in Moscow State University of Psychology and Education. The project aims at elaborating, evaluating, and introducing drama technologies into secondary school settings with the goal of applying them as a powerful tool for learning and development. The article focuses on the ways, in which drama can be used for constructing the zone of proximal development in adolescence. It is argued that not any kind of drama-based activities is consistent with the principles of a developing environment in the framework of the Cultural-Historical Paradigm. Creating such a setting is a challenging research task, which requires organization of such types of activity and interaction as role exchanges and reflexive communication. On the example of creating a play with a class of adolescents, it is demonstrated how drama, based on role experimenting, can contribute to overcoming group contradictions, boosting learning motivation and turning personal “pereghivanije” into a resource for development (on the experience of living through the pandemic of COVID-19).

Theory of change: Drama and arts-based community engagement for malaria research and elimination in Cambodia.

Background: Across the Greater Mekong Sub-region, malaria persists in isolated communities along international borders. Arts and drama have been used to reach to communities in Cambodia to engage them in malaria research, prevention and control. The "Village Drama Against Malaria" (VDAM) project was conducted in north eastern and western Cambodia: Stung Treng; Battambang and Pailin provinces during 2016 to 2019. In total, VDAM reached 55 rural villages, 2,378 student participants and 43,502 audience members. Methods: This article presents the results of two stakeholder-led evaluation workshops in which participants collaboratively developed theories of change to better understand the potential and actual impact of arts and drama-based activities on malaria in these communities. The workshops had a particular focus on identifying areas for monitoring and evaluation so that impact can be measured. Workshop participants included village malaria workers, community leaders, professional and student drama performers, and representatives from the local health authorities and the national malaria control programme. Results: Five broad areas were identified as relevant for monitoring and evaluation: logistical and practical challenges; embeddedness and reach of engagement; health knowledge and confidence of young people; effectiveness of communications; impact on malaria. These areas align well with the monitoring and evaluation conducted to date and point to additional opportunities for data collection. Conclusions: The findings from these workshops will inform future engagement strategies, for example, we may engage a smaller number of young people but over a longer period and more in-depth.

Theory of change: Drama and arts-based community engagement for malaria research and elimination in Cambodia

Background: Across the Greater Mekong Sub-region, malaria persists in isolated communities along international borders. Arts and drama have been used to reach to communities in Cambodia to engage them in malaria research, prevention and control. The “Village Drama Against Malaria” (VDAM) project was conducted in north eastern and western Cambodia: Stung Treng; Battambang and Pailin provinces during 2016 to 2019. In total, VDAM reached 55 rural villages, 2,378 student participants and 43,502 audience members. Methods: This article presents the results of two stakeholder-led evaluation workshops in which participants collaboratively developed theories of change to better understand the potential and actual impact of arts and drama-based activities on malaria in these communities. The workshops had a particular focus on identifying areas for monitoring and evaluation so that impact can be measured. Workshop participants included village malaria workers, community leaders, professional and student drama performers, and representatives from the local health authorities and the national malaria control programme. Results: Five broad areas were identified as relevant for monitoring and evaluation: logistical and practical challenges; embeddedness and reach of engagement; health knowledge and confidence of young people; effectiveness of communications; impact on malaria. These areas align well with the monitoring and evaluation conducted to date and point to additional opportunities for data collection. Conclusions: The findings from these workshops will inform future engagement strategies, for example, we may engage a smaller number of young people but over a longer period and more in-depth.

Theory of change: Drama and arts-based community engagement for malaria research and elimination in Cambodia

Background: Across the Greater Mekong Sub-region, malaria persists in isolated communities along international borders. Arts and drama have been used to reach to communities in Cambodia to engage them in malaria research, prevention and control. The "Village Drama Against Malaria" (VDAM) project was conducted in north eastern and western Cambodia: Stung Treng; Battambang and Pailin provinces during 2016 to 2019. In total, VDAM reached 55 rural villages, 2,378 student participants and 43,502 audience members. Methods: This article presents the results of two stakeholder-led evaluation workshops in which participants collaboratively developed theories of change to better understand the potential and actual impact of arts and drama-based activities on malaria in these communities. The workshops had a particular focus on identifying areas for monitoring and evaluation so that impact can be measured. Workshop participants included village malaria workers, community leaders, professional and student drama performers, and representatives from the local health authorities and the national malaria control programme. Results: Five broad areas were identified as relevant for monitoring and evaluation: logistical and practical challenges; embeddedness and reach of engagement; health knowledge and confidence of young people; community-level malaria outcomes; impact on malaria. These areas align well with the monitoring and evaluation conducted to date and point to additional opportunities for data collection. Conclusions: The findings from these workshops will inform future engagement strategies, for example, we may engage a smaller number of young people but over a longer period and more in-depth.

The Effect of Creative Drama-based Activities on Acquisition of Values by 5-Year-Olds

Values education is central to early childhood education. However, it rarely provides real-life opportunities to engage students. This study investigates the effect of creative drama in acquisition of values by preschoolers. Experimental design with a pre-post-test control group was used. The study group consisted of 44 children aged 5 to 5 ½ attending a public kindergarten in Turkey. For data collection, the Pre-School Values Scale Teacher Form, Parents Form, Student Form, and a Personal Information Form, and observations were used. Quantiative data was analysed using descriptive statistics, the Mann Whitney U Test, and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. There was a significant difference in both groups, with the experimental group showing significantly higher scores than the control group in the post-test. In teaching of values to preschool children, the activities based on creative drama proved more effective than the activities provided in the curriculum.

The Effect of Creative Drama-based Activities on Acquisition of Values by 5-Year-Olds

Values education is central to early childhood education. However, it rarely provides real-life opportunities to engage students. This study investigates the effect of creative drama in acquisition of values by preschoolers. Experimental design with a pre-post-test control group was used. The study group consisted of 44 children aged 5 to 5 ½ attending a public kindergarten in Turkey. For data collection, the Pre-School Values Scale Teacher Form, Parents Form, Student Form, and a Personal Information Form, and observations were used. Quantiative data was analysed using descriptive statistics, the Mann Whitney U Test, and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. There was a significant difference in both groups, with the experimental group showing significantly higher scores than the control group in the post-test. In teaching of values to preschool children, the activities based on creative drama proved more effective than the activities provided in the curriculum.

The effects of drama-based activities as a language learning tool on learners’ motivation in Non-Malay-medium national schools in Malaysia

Transitioning from Non-Malay-medium national primary schools to Malay-medium or English-medium secondary schools proved to be a struggle for many students due to the lack of emphasis on audio-lingual skills of the second language (L2) throughout their six-years of primary education. This study aims to explore the effects of drama-based activities as a language learning strategy on L2 learning motivation among students aged between 12 to 13 years old from Non-Malay-Medium National Schools. Six students were recruited through purposive sampling to participate in this qualitative experimental research. Over a period of 14 weeks, pre-intervention interviews (on the first week), intervention (over the span of 2 hours per week for 12 weeks), and post-intervention interviews (on the fourteenth week) were carried out. The content of the intervention was adapted from the Trinity College London’s Grade 4 Communication Skills syllabus. The instruments used for data collection include:(1) pre-determined pre-and post-intervention interview protocols and (2) classroom observation rubric. Two themes emerged in the analysis of this study: (a) language learning motivation and (b) affective filter. Findings revealed that participants were motivated and possessed self-confidence in the language learning process. The current study provides instructional implications for instructors and learners besides contributing to the novelty in the area of the research setting and sampling for future studies.

Enhancing an Epic: Teaching The Odyssey with Drama-Based Activities

Enhancing an Epic: Teaching The Odyssey with Drama-Based Activities

Enhancing Thai secondary school students’ English speaking skills, attitudes and motivation with drama-based activities and Facebook

ABSTRACT The study reported in this article explores Thai secondary school students’ English as a foreign language (EFL) learning experiences and examines the effects of using drama-based activities and Facebook on the students’ English speaking skills, attitudes and motivation in learning EFL. The study employed a mixed methods approach to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. The study used Facebook together with drama-based activities to deliver English language lessons in EFL classrooms. A total of 40 students from two Grade 12 classes and two Thai EFL teachers at a high school in Thailand participated in the study. Data was collected through English speaking tests, Attitude and Motivation Test Battery (AMTB) questionnaires, classroom observations and interviews. The results of the study indicate that drama-based activities and Facebook had positive effects on the students’ speaking skills and increased their motivation and positive attitudes towards learning the English language; they also provided the students with an interactive and flexible learning environment where they could actively communicate and collaborate with their teachers and peers. Findings suggest that drama-based learning activities and Facebook can be creatively integrated to assist language learning in the EFL classroom.

Correction to: Drama-Based Activities for STEM Education: Encouraging Scientific Aspirations and Debunking Stereotypes in Secondary School Students in Spain and the UK

Correction to: Drama-Based Activities for STEM Education: Encouraging Scientific Aspirations and Debunking Stereotypes in Secondary School Students in Spain and the UK

Staging science with young people: bringing science closer to students through stand-up comedy

ABSTRACT Although efforts are being made to bring science closer to secondary school students, science is still mostly perceived within stereotypic frameworks, hindering students’ identification with it. In this paper, we claim the role that arts-based approaches can play in science education to break these biased views and understandings and generate a more motivating science learning experience. For that purpose, we analyse research conducted with students from two secondary schools in Barcelona participating in a science education project applying drama-based activities within an inquiry process with early-career researchers. More specifically, we explore students’ perceptions of science and their attitudes towards learning science at school and pursuing scientific careers. We then evaluate and discuss how the triad ‘researchers’ interaction – scientific inquiry – artistic creation’ can potentially challenge their storylines about science and bring science learning closer to them. Findings suggest that the evaluated approach contributed to progress in this direction through two mechanisms: creating new rapports with science by offering a creative, inclusive and interactive learning experience, and broadening students’ perceptions in terms of what implies to do science and who can do it.

Evoking re-cognition through embodied enquiry: using drama-based methods to re-script storylines of gendered violence

In this paper I analyse the influence of drama-based learning activities in an education encounter exploring an instance of gendered violence. I use data stories to chart the multiple material, social, and historical influences that emanated within a role-played act of violence by a father upon his daughter following her transgression of the standards of pre-marital sexual purity held within a strongly religious community. I call upon Butler’s argument, that to understand an act of violence, one must engage with the conditions which permit the act, rather than just the act itself. I use the construct of the assemblage as offered by Deleuze and Guattari to trace the affective forces produced within the learning activities used to examine this enactment. I find that the drama-based activities were productive in opening conditions of possibility when they shifted the genre rules that had limited what it was permissible to feel, say and do as a recognisable masculine subject, and when they offered alternative modalities through which to articulate the multiplicity of possible desires, beliefs, fears and hopes at work within the Father-Daughter relationship.

The effect of the drama-based German foreign language course application on motivation and flow experience

The investigation of feelings, attitudes, and perceptions with regard to learning a foreign language takes an essential place for learning quality and success. In addition to traditional methods of learning a foreign language, the tendency towards more interactive and student-centered methods such as drama affects the teaching process positively. This study aims to examine the effect of the drama-based German foreign language course application on motivation and flow experience. The study was carried out with drama-based activities for 12 weeks in the “Drama in German Teaching” course at the Department of German Teaching of a state university in Turkey in the fall semester of the 2019 - 2020 academic year. The study was conducted with fourteen 2 nd -grade students who took this course. The data were collected using the “Motivation Scale for Learning German” and the “Flow Experience Scale-Short Form” as pretest and posttest. Upon examining the average scores obtained from the scales, significant differences were determined in terms of motivation and flow experience in the drama-based German foreign language course. Accordingly, it was found that students experienced positive emotions against the drama-based German foreign language course and achieved high motivation and also had flow experience.