Annotated Bibliography of Research 1975: Drama in the Classroom and Active Involvement in Learning

Drama in the Classroom

Question: How are teachers in New England using drama in the classroom?

Answer: “Ascertains both how public high school teachers of English in New England are teaching drama and using drama activities in their classrooms and how they were prepared in college for teaching drama and theater arts in the English classroom.” LJ Banks, 1975, p. 89.

Comment: I was prepared for neither in college and I ended up coaching the school’s plays in my first year of teaching. I also was not prepared for teaching writing in college or secondary reading. I don’t remember what was taught in my methods classes. RayS.

Active Involvement in Learning

Question: What are the effects of children’s active involvement in learning?

Answer: “Suggests that children who became actively involved in a learning situation express enjoyment, believe they are learning, and gain in ability to respond positively to classmates.” DM Adams, 1975, p. 91.

Comment: These results of active learning may only be “suggested,” but my personal experience reinforces these findings. RayS.

Title: “Annotated Bibliography of Research in the Teaching of English July 1, 1975 to December 31, 1975.” Daniel J. Dietrich. Research in the Teaching of English (Spring 1976), 83-98.