The Benefits of Using Theater to Teach Core
Subjects in Academia
The benefits of using drama in education are
many. Students learn to work out life dramas or problems in a safe way and
effectively develop intuitive, communicative, and social skills. Trying different roles provided in drama
education is a way to enhance personality and career development by trying on
different roles. Theater arts enhance
creativity and abstract thinking, broaden
horizons, and allow students to experience different personas and personality
types. Interactive observation and
learning are experienced through physical action, while encouraging positive
attitudes about cooperation and entertainment. Theater arts and drama education
encourage problem solving in an engaging way, appreciation of the arts and how
strongly they interact with all areas of life.
Creativity goes a long way in any career. Problem-solving skills are enhanced by acting
through different scenarios. Trying out different personas can help students to
safely try out new careers through acting them out. Their ability to act and make decisions about
those actions will enhance life success.
Students can develop different career personas they can rely on in real
life. A valuable lesson is the development of the outer personality that will
successfully carry the student through a career of their choosing.
The development of abstract thinking can aid in
learning of mathematics and the sciences. The addition of being able to think
creatively and artistically is a boon to those who will enter these
professions. The ability to consider the
human side of issues can lead to better consideration of subjects with respect
to scientific and statistical testing.
The ability to think beyond the numbers will put a more rational
perspective to findings.
Theater arts allow educators to directly
observe a student's strengths and areas of further education. Drama study increases concentration and
comprehension and promotes a sense of achievement. Creating a believable character is not
always easy. Achievement can promote a
deeper understanding of psychological and behavioral traits and issues of
individual and groups. What an advantage
for a future psychology or sociology major!
Drama helps students develop moral issues and values through
exploration of different acting personalities and can guide them
in additional values. Drama can enhance other areas of the
curriculum such as social studies. If
they play characters from other countries, they can explore different cultural
behaviorisms and traditions. They can consider values and moral issues from
different perspectives.
Historical learning is an advantage of using theater arts in education. Playing historical characters gives students room to explore historical cultures and motivations, which can lead to understanding of the development of social and artistic culture. A richer life with a well-rounded experience is an advantage which can also lead to lifelong learning, a sense of curiosity, and confidence.
Finally, the use of theater arts and drama to teach core
curriculum is a way to clean, cultural entertainment. Singing, dancing, and
drawing are adjunct skills which can be part of the dramatic learning
process. Dancing has the advantage of
teaching the fitness component in an entertaining and physically engaging way,
while drawing develops fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Works
Cited
Education, Maryland State Department of. Assessing
Fine Arts Learning. 2006. Assessing Fine Arts Learning. 12 May 2016.
.
Papa, Lisa, Loriana Romano and Elita. Saulle. 12 Fascinating Ways to Use Drama in the
Curriculum. n.d. K-12 Teachers Alliance. 12 May 2016.
.
