Building classroom community through drama education

Abstract

This article explores the experiences of two research assistants and an assistant professor involved in teaching and research in Curriculum and Instruction in Drama Education, a course for pre-service teachers at a Canadian University. Direct observations, field notes, student journals, participant interviews and an in-depth analysis of one student group’s creation and performance led to the understanding of the significant role of drama education in fostering community amongst pre-service teachers. Informing the research findings is a conversation about the social postmodern notion of community that fosters a sense of belonging, trust, and safety. The foundations of community within drama education specifically prompt deeper considerations for inclusion, collaboration, and empowerment in education allowing for the conception of ‘human subject in pursuit of themselves’.

Keywords:

• Pre-service teachers
• drama education
• community
• teaching
• learning