Benue State University, Makurdi

TOWARDS ENHANCING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF PARTICIPATORY THEATRE: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE CONSTRUCTIVIST APPROACH

Aii Mimi
Department of Theatre Arts, College of Education Katsina-Ala, Benue State

Avaan Terver
Department of Theatre Arts, College of Education Katsina-Ala, Benue State

Wanger Imem Avaan
Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, Gboko, Benue State<

Abstract

The dynamic nature of teaching and learning has continued to evoke critical analysis. Thus, this paper highlights the role of educators as pivotal in the changes and innovations prevalent in the education process that might give rise to critical analysis. It emphasises that learners need to synergise with the teachers/educators to acquire new knowledge. The aim is not just for the sole purpose of meeting a curriculum demand, but above all, the wellbeing of the learner, which can lead to a developed society. Participatory theatre, as a form of entertainment for enlightenment towards social change, is used here as a means of educating the learners about HIV, drawing fundamentally from the theoretical assumptions of the constructivist method. Thus, the paper proposes the adoption of a blended style of teaching and learning using a post-performance evaluative strategy with students at Victory Secondary School, Makurdi. This has been predicated on the efficacy of the method as practised in most parts of the world. Different views on the need to adopt this method were aggregated using performance and an oral quiz because it appears that for active learning to occur, there has to be a mental construction of new knowledge which is obtained from real and practical experience. The paper concluded that based on the contemporary appeal of constructivism, the incorporation of technology-based online materials is recommended for secondary schools in Benue State for the sustainability of active learning. This paper is part of a research conducted at Victory Secondary School, Makurdi with a class of 40 students (25 girls and 15 boys).

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