THE ADVANTAGES OF USING DRAMA AS A METHOD OF EDUCATION IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Azlinda Elnabeth Syazana Nabihah Jannah

Is the most significant model of learning and is a basic

activity for learning.

Children can learn to explore issues, events and

connections, by means of drama.

Children draw on their knowledge and experience of the

real world in order to create a make-believe world.

1.0 Definition of Drama

1.1 Importance of Drama

It is a valuable form of communication.

Provides opportunity to work together cooperatively in a

shared life. Thus, children get the chance to express themselves more effectively in everyday situations.

Encourages children to learn how to put themselves in

other peoples shoes by understanding the characters.

1.2 Categories of Dramatic Forms

1) Play is unplanned.

- Children learn to get on with others and to find out how

they stand in relations to others.

- Childrens play is purposive and requires considerable

effort.

- Children will be able to express and communicate their

feelings and understandings in their own ways.

2) Improvisation
- Is a form of dramatic play which has a regular shape. - A form of representation and is acknowledged by the actors

to be clearly separated from life.

drama.

- In education, this form is called child drama or creative - Dramatic improvisation followed by reflection gives

children practice in reasoning and acknowledging.

2.0 Drama in Education

2. Drama in Education
Education: process of helping people to find essential

meanings in life, involves both teaching and learning.

Education and drama are similar as they are closely

linked in the learning process and they deal with children.

 The new movement in education has introduced the

concept of child centred education combined with childrens play where both imagination and play are inherent parts of effective education.

2.1 Drama in Schools

When children first enter school, most are faced with

environment where learning is more cognitively and emotionally demanding.

Drama models make the children more relax, able to

interpret their own feelings, learn working together in a conducive environment which permits them to solve problems creatively.

2.1.1 Views of Drama in School

Lynn McGregor: 2 groups of drama
1.

Learning through drama:

The exploration of issues and people through drama. It involves both teacher and child, resulting in discussion of the issues being involved. Can be used as a method to teach particular subjects, such as history or social studies.

2. Envisaging drama:

An art form in its own right It places responsibility on children to work on given by the teacher. stimuli

Children have to produce ideas, decide among themselves how to put them together and then create a scene with its own characters.
(Teacher= passive role)

 Dorothy Heathcote:
All dramatic activities can be located on a continuum, from the

most classic or highly stylized, to the most domestic or casual.

A new dimension of experience in drama can be very quickly

reached by shifting from one place on this continuum to another.

 The classic mode requires great concentration and control so it

seems difficult as a way into drama. everyday human relationship.

The domestic mode looks easier, it is casual and similar to

2.1.2 Common Characteristics of Using Drama in Education

Imagination and creativity
Play The social aspects of drama

Creative problem solving through drama

Performance

2.1.2 Common Characteristics of Using Drama in Education

Imagination and creativity
Play The social aspects of drama

Creative problem solving through drama

Performance

Drama In Elementary School

Drama acts as an integrating force in curriculum and for teachers to draw on different subject areas.

2.2.1 MODELS FOR DRAMATIC ACTION:

Exploratory
Illustrative Expressive

EXPLORATORY MODEL
Most common model in the classroom
In fact, most how to do it drama texts deals with this

model which is the most widely known amongst students.

Teachers use this model to explore new experiences

ILLUSTRATIVE MODEL
Students try to analyze their own inner meaning by

means of illustrative model of drama which uses their mental powers, body and voice.

Allow students to use dramatic action for

understanding personal relationships

EXPRESSIVE MODEL
Used to communicate ideas.
Has a socially practical

USING DRAMA AS A METHOD

The meaning of drama

USING DRAMA AS A METHOD

Purposes of drama

MEANING
Teaching should always be a reflective activity but it is often

difficult to see in the classroom.

Teachers traditional role is questioner. However, these

lessons contain more discussion than action. This method does not develop the creativity of students so that they are not given the maximum opportunity to express their own ideas.

MEANING
It is the teacher working with the students within the

drama will build on the students ideas and make bridge for them between their own experience of the world and the meaning of the drama, so that both insight and understanding arise from the activity. involvement in, the work, that drama will realize its full potential as a medium for learning.

It is also through the teachers commitment and

PURPOSES
Provides an opportunity to work together

cooperatively

Extends both the range and quality of the childs

language usage. It provides an opportunity for trying out different models of discourse topics that are of social concern.

Useful way of opening up problems, themes, and

3.0 Advantages of Using Drama

ADVANTAGES OF USING DRAMA

Self actualization

Personal/emotional development

1. Self actualization
Allows students to work together & share

responsibility for the development of self actualization

Helps students to engage in independent thinking Gives students an opportunity to examine their own

problems with a new perspective

2. Personal/Emotional development
Helps individual to explore many aspects of the world

and also his own feelings and emotion they thought they knew

Helps students discover that they know more than

Lead students to see the world more clearly

Become the catalysts for the establishment of

interpersonal relationship

4.0 Current Situation in Drama

Turkey
Different seminars and courses to introduce drama have been

given by The Association for Contemporary Drama and at various higher education institutions in Turkey since 1980. disciplines, the series reached an impressive cross-section of professions: pre-school, primary, special education and art teachers, Ministry of Education officials, child psychologists, children's theatre actors [29]. Some topics are stated as follows:
Creative Drama in School The Vital Importance of Drama in Education Play/Drama with Children-Play/Drama for Children Training of Drama Leaders New Ideas for the Experienced Drama Teacher

Although each seminar was designed to address specific

Ankara
80% of the private kindergartens have drama lessons,

drama teachers and drama in the activity program related to different subjects. authority for the training of new drama teachers and offers in-service training on request to kindergartens, elementary and secondary schools. drama for pre-service kindergarten teachers .

The Association for Contemporary Drama as a central

Ministry of Education organized a training program in University level - offer courses in creative drama on both

undergraduate and graduate levels through various departments. Currently, some theses were written by graduate students [30].

5.0 Recommendations

Teachers

join in in-service training to learn about using drama as a method in teaching administrative staff, such as directors, inspectors and subject matter specialists, should be trained in the same drama courses.

The Association for Organise seminars, workshops or conferences on the advantages Contemporary Drama, and ways of using drama as a Universities and the method in elementary schools. Ministry of Education.
Should be made available for teachers so as to inform those who have some classical opinions on drama.

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