Browsing by Author "Littunen, Petra"

The goal of this master’s thesis is to analyze the opinions of drama teachers in utilising dra-ma education and the possibilities drama education offers for home economics teaching. The study focuses on combining drama education and home economics teaching from the point of view teachers, students and the learning environment. The theoretical framework is formed by describing drama education as a teaching method and home economics as a secondary school subject. There is very little previous research on combining drama educa-tion and home economics education. However, home economics has been presented as subject in which drama education could be utilized. Previous research on drama education demonstrates that drama education can be utilized in multitudes of ways in goal-centric teaching. The research method used in this master’s thesis was semi-structured interviews. Six drama teachers working in different drama education contexts were interviewed. The interviews were held during March 2022. The data was analyzed using theory-based content analysis. The research approach in this study was phenomenographic. Toivanen (2007), Heikkinen (2005), Pöntinen (2019) and Neelands (1998) were used as references for the theoretical framework. Utilizing drama education in home economics education was viewed as positive and enabling from the teachers, students, and educational perspective. Drama education was seen as an enabler for a more active and interactive learning environment. From the students’ point of view drama education offered more versatile learning in home economics education. For teachers it offered teaching tools but required planning, motivating students and good situation management. Drama education was seen as a suitable teaching method in home economics education; however, teachers emphasized the responsibility of a competent drama teacher to consider its necessity situationally. All in all, a drama education qualification could be a beneficial skill for home economics teachers.