2016/01/20

LEARNING THROUGH DRAMA

During my past learning experiences, I have found myself in many different learning environments. Various studies show that children, especially the younger ones, learn more through hands-on activities based on play. A number of theories state that drama helps pupils understand curricular concepts better. Both drama and play are mainly based on group work and support personal as well as social development. This helps teachers reach children with different learning abilities. The data gathered during this research shows that drama and play are useful in making the teaching and learning experiences more meaningful and more pleasant for all those involved. Through the integration of drama and play within the curriculum, education becomes more holistic and more complete for all learners, regardless of their learning abilities and learning styles.

When comparing and contrasting the hands on method to the lecture method many people prefer the hands on method. This allows the students to further understand what the teachers are trying to teach. By using this method a majority of the students will learn more, and learn at a quicker pace.

There are many good qualities in using a hands on method for learning. One reason is that way the students get to know each other better. They learn ways to get along and work well together. By having students work out the problem, they are more apt to remember it in the future. Looking at it from a teacher’s standpoint, by having all the kids work in front of class, it is possible to make sure the students are doing their own work. This also can help show how far along the student is, and how much of the reason they’ve learned. The most important thing about hands on work is it’s fun. When students are having fun, they will learn more. This could even create better behavior from the students. .

Many times there can be bad points to lecturing. One thing is that it’s usually boring. Everyone would agree that it’s no fun to sit and listen to someone talk while all you do is take notes. This is the reason for many people falling asleep in class. Sometimes it becomes hard to continue listening to someone for a long period of time. Another bad quality about lecturing is that it separates which teachers students dislike and which ones they like. Lecture style teaching leads many students’ get bored and not enjoy the class. If a teacher lets students use hands on work to learn they will become a teacher the students like and want to have for class.

According to Friedrich Froebel, the founder of the kindergarten system, “children are like growing plants in a garden, to be cultivated according to the laws of their own being, of God and of Nature.” Many authorities believe that because of humans’ evolution in the natural world, people possess nature-based genetic coding and instincts. Therefore, children are born with a natural, innate sense of relatedness to nature.

it is important for children to participate in dramatic play in outdoor environments. It gives them the opportunity to be in role and play imaginatively. And this because there is a greater sense of freedom in the outdoors and more space and noise.

One of the teachers in an ordinary Swedish primary school worked with a class of 7 children of 6-7 years old on two famous fairy tales: “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Three Billy Goats Gruff” in two different periods of time. The enactment of the first fairy tale, “Little Red Riding Hood”, took place not far from school in a place with grass, 8-9 trees, some bushes and a path through the area while the second one took place in the schoolyard. It was very positive and easy enacting these fairy tales in natural outdoor environments since the children could “find a place to act in just by thinking of the story”. “They didn’t have to make nature, they were in it.” In both cases the children were excited and had fun role-playing different characters or animals. They thought it was easy since they were very familiar with the stories and everyone knew what to say.

So, in general terms, the drama activities that were done by the teachers in different outdoor environments were successful and the teachers noted positive reactions on behalf of the students who, according to the teachers’ comments they enjoyed the activities and in many cases they got enthusiastic and wanted to do them again.

Unquestionably, drama and modern education share many of their objectives such as creativity and aesthetic development, the ability to think critically, social growth and the ability to work cooperatively with others, improved communication skills, the development of moral and spiritual values, self knowledge, and understanding and appreciation of the cultural backgrounds and values of others and they should be often included into the classes.

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