"The Animal Farm" by George Orwell: Drama in Education as a holistic way of learning The role of a mentor-animator and his contribution to the elimination of inequalities in the school environment
Abstract
This paper refers to the design and implementation of theatro-pedagogical intervention in the form of action-based research in a High School during the school year 2015-16. It was dictated after completing the self-evaluation of the school unit in 2012-13, under the weight of the financial crisis in our country and the refugee stream. Our main concern was to provide equal educational opportunities and active participation of all students. The actions aimed at the recognition of diversity, the elevation and empowerment of art and the cultivation of students’ citizenship. The students, under the motivation of their mentor-teacher, participated experientially in a cultural program, where they learned about the Theatre technics, the Theatre of the Oppressed and drama in education. The knowledge gained was applied at school and at events organized by local DDE. The trained mentor-teacher who is familiar with the theater techniques, becomes at first animator in groups of teachers (either older colleagues or newly appointed). At the same time he transfers his "knowledge" to groups of students in order to internalize positive and custodial roles and assume their own coordinative role. The tools utilized were observation, open interviews, photography and video-recording. The results of the intervention entailed the involvement of the "weak" students in the learning process, decision-making and "troubleshooting".
Article Details
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- THEMATIC FIELD IV Introducing innovations for the upgrade of the educational environment
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