DRAMA IN EDUCATION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY, ICELAND

An inspiring course to secure our understanding of how Drama can be used to strengthen learning across subject areas and help to develop a multitude of key life skills for students.

In a fast-paced technological world, our ability to communicate, present and think creatively are key factors in making connections and forming successful relationships, both professionally and personally.

In this course, we will explore how Drama can bring relevance and a fresh perspective to both academic learning and essential soft skill acquisition in today’s classrooms.

You will witness how Drama practice can support learning across the curriculum and reach students on many levels positively supporting inclusive practice.

We will explore the relevance of Drama activities in the classroom setting and across subject areas to develop empathetic, compassionate and curious learners. 

We will also give you tools to harness the power of Drama to develop essential confidence, communication, and teamwork skills with your students. 

In addition to playing a supportive and foundational role in many subjects, we will also reexamine the central role Drama can play in education and society.

CONCEPTS AND ACTIVITIES EXPLORED:

• The Four Corners of C.I.C.T. – (Communication, Imagination, Confidence and Creativity) – how these four pillars of growth build a firm foundation for learning and growing, and how Drama can help to embed them in the classroom.

• Performance through Play – understanding how Drama can be used as a gateway activity to enable students to absorb information and learning in a holistic and multi-sensory manner.

• The Power of Performance – Exploring how a performance outcome can unite students by having a shared experience. How the process can develop core skills and learning objectives and how it can help to build relations within the class, the school and beyond in the wider community.

• Teacher and student well-being – the benefits of using Drama exercises and practice in the class to impact positively and holistically for all.

These activities can be used with students aged from 4+.

COURSE AIMS:

This course will support you to:

• To identify how you are already approaching Drama as a tool within the classroom.

• To refresh and invigorate your current practice through new activities and by sharing practice with other professionals.

• To use The Four Corner CICT Model as a point of reference to embed and consolidate Drama practice within your curriculum.

• To explore the relevance and role of a performance as a powerful group activity and as a means to value the shared experience it offers in developing many soft skills including, self-motivation, negotiation, responsibility and problem solving.

• To introduce the ideology behind Smart Teachers Play More and observe first-hand how the project is working in local schools.

• To give participants a close-up and personal insight into the Icelandic school system.

• To give teachers the opportunity to share successful activities they use in their own school/country so we can learn from each other.

• To help teachers plan the vision for their ‘Drama practice’ with time to reflect on their individual schools and plan realistic steps for implementation and success.

•  To connect teachers for future international collaborations and projects. 

OUTSTANDING TRAINERS:

The course is run by Rachel Bennett, an experienced and innovative Drama and creative arts practitioner from England. Rachel has been an advocate of Drama within the curriculum as a powerful force for good in a career spanning over 26 years.

During this time she has worked in a variety of settings including schools, community and college environments, teaching Drama both as a stand alone subject and as a means to integrate learning in many forms and across many subjects.

Rachel uses Drama as an invitation for learners to explore, be curious and take a lead in their own learning. This approach supports individuals to grow in various areas including self development, motivation, teamwork and many other core and soft skills .

In addition to being a Smart Teachers Play More course leader, Rachel is currently working with a professional theatre group in Suffolk, England as a consultant for their work within the community and outreach programmes.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE EDUCATION SECTOR:

This course offers learning opportunities for teachers and school staff across the education sector including: Preschool; Primary; Secondary; Adult education; Special Needs; Teaching assistants; School management; Vocational education; Higher education; and Student teachers.

VISIT ICELANDIC SCHOOLS:

As part of the course and with your Icelandic hosts, you will have the opportunity to visit Icelandic schools at each educational stage. You will witness, first-hand, how Iceland, with only 330,000 inhabitants, produces so many well-known athletes and artists. You will see how outdoors, sport and practical subjects, such as home economics, woodwork and art, are given the same priority as academic subjects at all stages of education.

SHARING GOOD PRACTICE AND NETWORKING:

We also provide the opportunity to share good practice during the course so we can learn from each other and find partners for future projects: KA1 projects, job shadowing opportunities and/or KA229 projects.

TEACHER WELL-BEING:

One of our priorities while you spend your valuable time with us in Iceland is your well-being. Every teacher is important to us and we want you to feel valued and comfortable throughout your stay. As well as the extra activities we provide as part of the course fee (see below), we work hard to ensure you have a really good time. We ensure lots of team-building and “get to know you” activities from day one and our courses are dynamic and fun-packed. We are genuine Icelandic hosts so you will get the real Icelandic experience and we are renowned to look after our teachers really well.

AS PART OF THE COURSE WE ALSO PROVIDE:

• Morning refreshments
• Cultural evening
• Visit to the local swimming pool and hot tubs
• Course material
• Certificate of attendance

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND SIGHTSEEING:

Join us on our own tailor-made local tour of amazing Iceland with our SMART TEACHERS PLAY MORE TOUR PACKAGE for both participants and their families! A great way to enjoy the wonders of Iceland, network and get to know your new European friends.

ACCOMMODATION:

Don’t miss out on our EXCLUSIVE PARTICIPANT DISCOUNT VOUCHERS for a brand new trendy hotel we work with close to our course centre!

COURSE DATES: