ROXANA CHOWDHURY (UNITED INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY)

LEVERAGING DRAMA TO TERTIARY LEARNERS FOR EFFECTIVE LEARNING THROUGH COGENS : TEACHER EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Incorporating drama as a teaching strategy in educator training programs holds significant potential for enhancing communication dynamics. This innovative approach not only fosters collaborative discussions among future teachers and instructors but also encourages active participation in various classroom activities and reflective practices. Podlozny's (2000) findings, which underscore the positive correlation between drama proficiency and communication skills, especially in language acquisition, creativity, and self-conceptualization, this study seeks to explore the efficacy of drama in cultivating a harmonious classroom environment within teacher education contexts. Conducted among trainee educators at United International University and BRAC University, this research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative analysis of classroom interactions. While questionnaires capture the trainees' perspectives, detailed observations of classroom performances and recorded focus group discussions provide deeper insights into the impact of drama in teacher education. Notably, a substantial proportion of trainees (40 out of 70) expressed strong agreement regarding the effectiveness of drama in enhancing language skills through enacted exercises. This underscores drama's potential not only to bolster linguistic proficiency but also to cultivate social skills and collaborative engagement in educational settings. Consequently, this study advocates the integration of drama as a fundamental pedagogical tool in teacher education programs. Such integration promises to elevate the training experiences of future educators, facilitating effective communication strategies and creating supportive learning environments conducive to holistic professional development. Embracing drama in teacher education can empower trainees to become effective communicators and facilitators, equipped to engage and inspire students in diverse educational contexts.

Roxana Ahmad Chowdhury is an enthusiastic and versatile individual with strong practical experience in teaching, training and grooming. She is affiliated with United International University, BRAC Institute of Educational Development, Asia-Pacific University, BELTA and IATEFL. She has presented papers, conducted workshops home and abroad, and published articles in different journals.