WHY DRAMA HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERY STUDENT
Drama is a powerful teaching and learning tool with profound positive effects on a student's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. The benefits of regular drama instruction spill over into all school subjects and everyday life. Drama is sound pedagogy that reaches students of multiple intelligences and different learning styles. It is a multi-sensory mode of learning that engages mind, body, senses, and emotions to create personal connections to the material to improve comprehension and retention.
Drama is an ideal strategy for differentiated instruction. Students with language difficulties, learning disabilities, or physical or mental disabilities can shine in drama, whereas they may struggle in traditional schooling. Gifted, talented, and highly motivated students who need to be challenged can demonstrate their abilities and synthesize learning in drama. From the shy to the confident and from the inexperienced to the advanced student, drama can include all levels of differentiated abilities in a positive successful creative experience.
In order to present material to others in class or for a full-scale production, the participants must not only understand the material, but also find a way to communicate it creatively and effectively to the audience. Therefore, knowledge is not enough; imagination, creativity, and communication are required to make effective theatre and film.
Drama transforms the traditional teacher-student relationship from one of authority-recipient to one of shared experience of discovery and creative exploration. Drama provides a practical, effective, and empowering approach to teaching that transforms the learning environment.
