CAISE Forum and Workshops for Primary School Leaders and Teachers

Get up, Do it & be Heard: supporting learners in achieving self-fulfilment through drama activities

Date: 24 September 2016 (Sat)
Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm (registration at 9.20am)
Venue: MW 401-402, Meng Wah Complex, The University of Hong Kong

Synopsis
In this CAISE forum we will explore why some students experience alienation in schools, and lose motivation to learn, especially in the context of English language education. Our theme for the forum is: Why do some learners experience alienation in the curriculum and how to help students achieve self-fulfilment? We invite educators from the community to share with us how they embrace inclusion in their practices to support students with different learning needs. Volunteer teachers from Hopeland Summer Camp 2016 and drama experts from Shakespeare for All (S4A) will share with teachers and principals their projects which aim to inspire students to achieve self-fulfilment through drama and alternative ways of learning. There will be two professional workshops for English language primary teachers to experience how drama activities can unlock students’ full potential. We warmly welcome teachers, school leaders and HKU student-teachers to join us for this meaningful community event.

Forum:
Why do learners experience alienation in HK’s education system and how to help students achieve self-fulfilment?
In this presentation, volunteer English teachers from Hopeland School Summer Camp 2016 will share their inspiring stories of learning with the audience. They will share why and how they adopted an alternative teaching approach to support students with different learning styles and needs in the summer school. The speakers will also reflect on the challenges of teaching mixed ability learners and what teachers need to do to inspire students. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion.

Speakers:
Shirley Chan, graduated with an MSc in Applied Linguistics from University of Edinburgh. She is an English instructor in The Education University of Hong Kong.
Fanny Heath is a primary school teacher and social worker. She studied Drama in Education in Birmingham.
Dora Lau is a volunteer-teacher providing one-on-one English tuition to children in Mr. Chan’s Free Tutorial World.
Candace Mok, MA in Language Studies, BAEng&BEdELT, is an Assistant Lecturer in Faculty of Education, HKU.
Respondents:
Brian Eagen Lau (5 minutes) Dr. Margaret Lo (5 minutes) Dr. Patcy Yeung (5 minutes)
Open Discussion:
Dr. Cheri Chan, Convener (20 minutes)

Workshop 1: Enriching Learning for SEN Students through Drama
Fiona Ann Kaaka, Managing Director, Shakespeare for All
Drama is a valuable tool that contributes to general intellectual growth and personal development in all children but is especially powerful when used with students that have Special Educational Needs (SEN). This workshop provides tools and strategies that enable teachers to use Drama in a meaningful way with SEN students to develop concepts, knowledge, understanding, imagination, skills, and attitudes across the curriculum.

Workshop 2: Learning language through drama
Shiona Carson, Artistic Director, Shakespeare for All
Shakespeare for All’s Artistic Director, Shiona Carson, will demonstrate their techniques on how students can be engaged and develop not only their English skills but their communication skills through alternative learning Drama techniques. The aim is to broaden students understanding and enrich their lives by giving them an opportunity to- “get up; do it and be heard.” These exercises can be easily adapted to other curriculums to give every student the opportunity to unlock their full potential.