Benefits and Difficulties of Implementing Forum Theater in a Child Guidance Classroom

• In Event: Teacher Preparation and Training in Classroom Management: Examining Effective Practices

Abstract

While school discipline practices disproportionately harm children of Color and children who are differently abled, teacher education has been found to under-prepare teachers for classroom management. Here, we share forum theater pedagogy as a promising strategy to support preservice teacher agency and efficacy regarding guidance of young children. Through teacher action research, we demonstrate forum theater, articulated by Boal (1979) as transformative practice, can 1) lead to visualization and embodiment of guidance techniques, 2) promote a playful learning environment, and 3) allow preservice teachers to learn from their peers. Despite these benefits, we point out it may be difficult for instructors and preservice teachers to overcome the banking model of education to fully embrace forum theater pedagogies.

Authors

• Rhianna K. Thomas, New Mexico State University
  Presenting Author

• Thomas Korang, New Mexico State University
  Presenting Author