The potential of Zoom technology for enabling creativity in the drama classroom through peer-assisted learning and group collaboration in pre service teacher education

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all levels of education around the world in many ways, including in Sri Lanka. In higher education institutions this has involved an unexpected and ‘forced’ transition from face-to-face to remote teaching and learning modes, with universities being required to create new types of learning environments. This paper reports on work with students in a pre-service Drama and Theatre teacher education degree, with a focus on the final year professional practice component. It reports on an innovative approach involving Zoom technology, adopted not only to evaluate students’ learning outcomes and pre-service capabilities, but also to strengthen their collaborative and creativity skills. The findings of the study contribute to strengthening understanding of the potential of virtual, technology-based approaches such as Zoom in changed teaching and learning conditions, and signpost possible future research directions in terms of integrating technology and online delivery for Drama and Theatre teacher education.