Drama in the Classroom

   Drama is often thought of in terms of the educational setting as simply the play at Christmas time (Baldwin, 2008), not related to the other subjects taught throughout the rest of the year. This view of drama however, is restrictive as it is possible to bring aspects of drama into lessons, such as the more traditional subjects. Therefore, if it is put into practice well then it can be integrated with these other subjects to create a unique learning experience.

Source: https://education.waikato.ac.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/drama.jpg

   The video below shows an example of how drama can effectively be used today in a key stage one maths lesson, and engage the pupils in the classroom.






   An example of an approach to education that involves linking drama in the classroom with any subject is Mantle of the Expert. It is an approach to teaching that was developed by Dorothy Heathcote. According to Heathcote and Bolton (1995, pp.3-4), there are four principles that forms the basis of this approach when it was being developed to education. They are:

1.  The teacher must work closely with children and constantly reflect on their practice.
2. 'Drama is about making significant meaning' (Heathcote and Bolton, 1995, p.4).
3. Drama is successful teaching tool when it involves all of the class.
4. Teachers are facilitators and must 'empower'.

   These points evaluate what Mantle of the Expert is about, and shows that there is a strong focus upon drama, and also the teacher's role in the process, being the facilitator. Therefore, the teacher does not dictate the information to the students in the class, yet still directs what the lessons will consist of, and the learners would then follow the instructions and act as experts. This approach to education encourages the individual's creativity, as it requires thinking skills, and in some circumstances each individual would take a different approach to a question or interpret it in a different way, providing each time a different experience for the learners. It is also useful as the approach is not only possible for children at a younger age, older students can also benefit from Mantle of the Expert.

Source: http://www.mantleoftheexpert.com/about-moe/introduction/what-is-moe/

   Personal experience of this particular way of teaching was positive, as it is a useful way of involving drama into the classroom. The task that we were given was to build a bridge, with restrictions put on the materials that we could use which was lollipop sticks and glue. We were given a brief that outlined what we were required to do in the session, and also provided information on specific measurements. We then took on the roles of builders, which was the part of the task that involved the drama element in Mantle of the Expert.
   We had to do our own research into what types of bridge would be the strongest, and also how to do this whilst using as little lollipop sticks as possible, to stay within the budget. Towards the end of the session our bridges were then put through a number of tests, to see which were the strongest. Unfortunately, my team's bridge positioned last, but the experience of Mantle of the Expert has shown that without much guidance by the teacher, as a simple brief was provided, it is possible for the individual to do their own research and efficiently take on a role, in this case that of a builder. This reflects to point number 4 mentioned above, where in this approach to education the teachers are facilitators and do not dictate anything to the learner, as mentioned previously.




Below is a slideshow of pictures, showing the process that  we took towards the making of the bridge.

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In conclusion, drama is an effective way of engaging pupils in lessons in school, and is possible at both primary and secondary school level. An approach to education that incorporates drama with school subjects is Mantle of the Expert, developed by Dorothy Heathcote. The students act as experts in the learning experience, and the teacher acts as a facilitator, providing a unique experience for the learners.


References

Baldwin, P. (2008) The Primary Drama Handbook. Dawsonera [Online]. Available at:
https://www-dawsonera-com.ezproxy.uwtsd.ac.uk/readonline/9781446202395/startPage/6 (Accessed 20 April 2016).

Heathcote, D. and Bolton, G. (1995) Drama for Learning. Portsmouth: Heinemann.