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Speech and drama curriculum development : the perspectives of a selection of drama teachers in KwaZulu Natal.

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Date

1998

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Abstract

The researcher has attempted to gain an understanding of how Drama teachers perceive the teaching of the curriculum and curriculum change. The data were obtained through the use of the qualitative mode of engaging in research. The researcher, who is also a Drama teacher had come to experience the need for teachers to be given an opportunity to express their views on curriculum as the area of curriculum is complex and always in need of reappraisal. Also, teachers needed a medium through which they could share their perspectives on curriculum. The researcher collected the relevant information by using the interview context as a means of data collection. Ten Drama teachers responded to questions focusing on curriculum teaching and curriculum change. The Drama teachers' perspectives were recorded and analysed. Marxist theorists like Bowles and Gintis( 1986) view teachers as mere state functionaries and agents of the system. Drama teachers in this study contradicted the view of teachers as technicians within the system. They were not reflective of typical teachers. Rather Drama teachers challenged and mediated the curriculum, they did not accept and abide by the syllabus document and their classroom practice was determined by the immediacy of their particular teaching context. Finally through engaging in this research study the researcher has achieved the following objectives: 1. An understanding of the view that knowledge is a socially constructed concept. 2. Has provided a medium through which the perspectives of Drama teachers are heard. 3. Has provided an invaluable experience of documenting the processes of qualitative research.

Description

Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.

Keywords

Curriculum Planning., Drama--Study And Teaching., College and school drama., Curriculum evaluation., Theses--Education.

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