Drama as a Pedagogy for Students with Learning and Behavioural Challenges

This two-day workshop will explore the unique value of drama and role play as an effective  pedagogy for both subject-based learning, social-emotional learning and  the development of appropriate social skills. Different modes of drama will be covered. The emphasis will be on process-orientated drama and cover such approaches as School-Based Drama Therapy, embodied expression, role-play and story-telling. Participants will be actively engaged in hands-on drama activities to build emotional awareness and regulation, and social skills, and to apply, practise and internalise academic concepts. In the second part of the workshop, participants will work together to design and try out drama-based activities that address real challenges and concerns based on case study profiles participants will prepare beforehand. The assessment of the effectiveness of drama activities will also be covered.

Learning Outcomes:

Participants will be able to:

• develop an understanding of the different pedagogical modes that drama and role play can take in supporting student learning.
• apply evidence-based knowledge and insights into the value and practicality of drama as experiential and affective learning, in contrast to conceptual learning.
• learn a range of drama-based activities and pedagogical approaches that  can be used with classes, small groups and individuals

Target Audience: Special Education Needs Officers and Teachers working with students with learning and behavioural challenges