The Impact of Mantle of the Expert on Pre-service Teachers' Pedagogical Drama Confidence in Primary Education

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Impact of Mantle of the Expert on Pre-service Teachers' Pedagogical Drama Confidence in Primary Education

AU - Doig, Nikki

PY - 2025/10/1

Y1 - 2025/10/1

N2 - Pre-service primary teachers often lack confidence in teaching drama. This can be compounded by school placement experiences with in-service teachers who similarly lack confidence. Further, where there is a narrow understanding of drama as performance, the result is missed opportunity to capitalise on the powerful potential of pedagogical drama. This mixed methods action research investigated the impact of learning about Mantle of the Expert on pre-service teacher confidence to teach using drama pedagogy. 22 students undertaking a drama elective as part of a full-time postgraduate pre-service Primary Education programme participated. Data were collected through questionnaires, a focus group and lesson plans. Findings suggest that Mantle of the Expert is an effective way to exemplify drama pedagogy and to provide a clear framework for planning, with respondents able to visualise success in their future classrooms. Findings may help inform pre-service and in-service teacher professional development. Recommendations for future research are also identified.

AB - Pre-service primary teachers often lack confidence in teaching drama. This can be compounded by school placement experiences with in-service teachers who similarly lack confidence. Further, where there is a narrow understanding of drama as performance, the result is missed opportunity to capitalise on the powerful potential of pedagogical drama. This mixed methods action research investigated the impact of learning about Mantle of the Expert on pre-service teacher confidence to teach using drama pedagogy. 22 students undertaking a drama elective as part of a full-time postgraduate pre-service Primary Education programme participated. Data were collected through questionnaires, a focus group and lesson plans. Findings suggest that Mantle of the Expert is an effective way to exemplify drama pedagogy and to provide a clear framework for planning, with respondents able to visualise success in their future classrooms. Findings may help inform pre-service and in-service teacher professional development. Recommendations for future research are also identified.

U2 - 10.64741/382548kuefcd

DO - 10.64741/382548kuefcd

M3 - Article

SN - 2040-2228

VL - 16

SP - 2

EP - 28

JO - Drama Research

JF - Drama Research

IS - 2

M1 - 7

ER -