The implementation of action and drama techniques with learners with special educational needs in South Africa : a literature study

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This literature review highlights, with particular reference to the South Africancontext, the emotional needs of learners with special educational needs (SEN) andstresses the importance of therapeutic intervention for these learners if educatorswish to promote optimal academic, social and personal development. Due to SouthAfrica's current economic climate a cost effective and time efficient interventionprogramme that is accessible to a large number of learners is essential.Action and drama techniques are proposed as possible therapeutic tools, whichcould potentially be implemented by educators, as therapeutic agents, within theeducation system. Educators would take on the central facilitation roles within thesegroups. The roles of director and co-director in this context have consequently beengiven particular cognizance.This literature review concludes that the use of action and drama techniques offersthe following benefits:~ The techniques appear to be effective treatment options for all learners withspecial educational needs. including those with limited verbal communicationskills~ The techniques appear to be most effective in a group setting and as such,possess the potential to reach a large number of learners. ~ Literature indicates that the techniques are adaptable and may be implementedat various levels and in diverse contexts. For example, it appears that thetechniques may be implemented at a basic level in the classroom, or in moredepth in a therapeutic group scenario.~ The techniques may be implemented in a holistic manner, e.g. psychodramamodel, in isolation, or be integrated with other approaches or theories.~ Literature suggests that the techniques allow learners to gain more insight intotheir functioning, to work through unresolved emotions and to develop new andmore functional behaviours.~ The techniques appear to be time efficient in that literature indicates that they areconducive to brief therapy.~ Training educators as directors and co-directors offers a potentially cost effectiveand accessible intervention option for South Africa.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University