The Use of "Drama in Education" in Primary Schools from the Viewpoint of the Classroom Teachers: A Mixed Method Research

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to determine the classroom teachers’ sense of efficacy about the drama in education, to examine them in terms of various variables and to reveal their opinions and metaphorical perceptions regarding the concept of drama in education. Convergent parallel design, which is of the mixed method designs, was used in the study. The universe of the research consists of 2737 class teachers working in the central districts of Mersin province. The sample of the research is composed of 441 teachers selected according to the 'stratified cluster sampling' method which is a kind of random sampling in the universe. As a result, it was found out that the teachers have a high level of sense of efficacy  about using drama in education, are willing to apply this method, consider it as an effective and powerful method, but do not trust themselves due to lack of information and do not apply it because of poor environment. Examining the opinions of the classroom teachers on the concept of drama in education, it is found that the drama in education helps the personal development of the student, is an effective method and provides learning by doing and experience. When their metaphorical perceptions of drama in education are examined, it is revealed that the drama concept is used as a support in the lesson, that it is the life itself and is enlightening.

Keywords: drama in education, elementary teachers, metaphor