ATYP launches digital drama teaching resource

Australia’s national youth theatre, the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) has today launched ATYP On Demand Plus, a first of its kind digital teaching resource.

ATYP  Fraser Corfield, Artistic Director, says:

Using drama techniques to help students understand different perspectives, ATYP On Demand Plus arms primary teachers with the tools to tackle complex and sensitive topics in the classroom.

The initial units available on the ATYP On Demand Plus platform are linked to the history curriculum, including the concept of past and present, migration, and First Nations People’s connection to Country/place, culture, family and community.

The units have been developed by ATYP’s Head of Learning, Jacqui Cowell, in collaboration with leading academics, the ATYP education team and ATYP teaching artists. Robyn Ewing, Professor Emerita AM, Professor of Teacher Education and the Arts and Co-Director of the Creativity in Research, Engaging the Arts, Transforming Education, Health and Wellbeing (CREATE Centre)at the University of Sydney, saysthe platform helps students learn through doing as opposed to listening.

Professor Ewing, says:

We need to rehearse possibilities as we problem solve and share our ideas with others. We also need to walk in the shoes of others. Such experiences change how we understand ourselves and the perspective of others. There is unequivocal research that drama-rich strategies and experiences motivate learners to engage in deep learning

For a small annual fee ($280 – $300 per school depending on ICSEA value), ATYP On Demand Plus empowers teachers to help students engage in deep, personal learning while building their imaginations, compassion and self-efficacy.

ATYP On Demand Plus is unique because it flips the dynamic in the classroom. Usually we think of drama as a specialist subject that requires a certain expertise. In this program, drama is simply the way we study other subjects.

Mr Corfield says:

Teachers can use the principles of participation and play to physically explore every area of the Primary curriculum

Each eight-week unit uses participatory learning strategies to explore history and includes accompanying resources, suggested activities and instructional videos to help teachers create flexible professional learning resources for their students.

For the past six months, ATYP’s Head of Learning, Jacqui Cowell, has closely followed 64 teachers trialling the new platform across Australia.

Jacqui Cowell says:

During the trial, teachers using ATYP On Demand Plusin the classroom have seenan increase in student literacy and engagement. Teachers also said they gained greater confidence using drama and literacy strategies to explore the curriculum

The new platform builds on the existing free platform, ATYP On Demand, which offers geographically isolated and economically disadvantaged students free access to theatre made by young people, for young people.

Both platforms are part of ATYP’s commitment to connect young people to the theatre industry, share stories, build skills and create experiences that enhance the understanding of society and Australia’s history.

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Session Details

Digital Drama : ATYP On Demand
Date: Jun 09, 2021
Annual Fees: $280 – $300
For more information click on HERE