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Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 1
Rachel Kennedy
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Research Project (PG CERT)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in
primary schools
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 2
Analysis of Data
Presentation of Results
In this section of the project I will present the results of my research
and critically reflect on the data gathered; to identify whether the data
gathered, supports the initial aims and expectations of the project.
Results from the Reserch Questionnaires for Pupils
In order to gather research data I issued questionnaires to both the
pupils and teachers within the primary school to evaluate and
examine their experience of Gaelic Drama teaching.The pupils that
had participated in my drama workshops were asked at the end of
the workshops to evaluate whether they felt the workshops had
proved beneficial to their educational experiences and outcomes.
The pupils were asked to draw a circle round the number which most
accurately answers the question using the administering scale below:
Administering the Scale:
1= Strongly Disagree
2= Disagree
3= Undecided
4= Agree
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 3
5= Strongly Agree
Question 1:I feel that the Gaelic Drama classes have contributed to
me becoming a more effective contributor?
Strongly Disagree Disagree UndecidedAgree Strongly Agree
Results:
62% Agreed and 38% strongly agreed that the Gaelic Drama
classes had contributed to them becoming a more effective
contributor.
Additional Comments:
Getting to know the new P4’S better. Yes, I feel like I have become a better contributor. I found it fun It helped me put everything I learnt into a performance
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 4
Question 2: I feel that the Gaelic Drama classes have con-
tributed to me being a responsible citizen?
Strongly Disagree 0 Disagree UndecidedAgree Strongly Agree 9
Results
50% Agreed and 50% strongly agreed that the Gaelic Drama classes
contributed to them becoming more responsible citizens.
Additional Comments:
Yes, with how we make plays. I feel more into Drama
Question 3: I feel that the Gaelic Drama classes have con-
tributed to me becoming a more successful learner?
Strongly disagree disagree undecidedagree strongly agree
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 5
Results
25% agreed and 75% strongly agreed that the Gaelic Drama classes
contributed to them becoming more successful learners.
Question 4: I feel the drama classes have contributed to me becoming a more con-
fident individual?
Strongly disagree Disagree undecidedagree strongly Agree
Results
30% agreed and 70% strongly agreed that the drama classes had
contributed to them becomming more confident individuals.
Additional Comments:
It made me a more confident individual.
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 6
Question 5Would you like to see these drama sessions
continue in your school?
YES NO UNDECIDED
Results
90% strongly agreed that they would like to see the drama classes
continue in their school.10% were undecided.
Additional Comments:
Tha mi smaonaicheadh gu bheil dràma gu math spòrsail agus bidh
mi ag ionnsachadh nas motha.
I think that Gaelic Drama is really fun and that I learn lots from it.
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 7
Question 6Do you feel you have developed any skills
by taking part in the Drama classes?
YES NO UNDECIDED
Results: The whole class felt they has developed skills by taking part
in the Drama classes. Here are some of the skills they listed:
Helps me work as a team I feel I have developed the skill to talk and move around as if
you have a purpose in the story. I have developed better listening skills Remembering the lines
Question 7: In your opinion, what words best describe the Gaelic
drama sessions?
Very Fun I liked it Good Great Interesting Amazing Exciting Better than class work (especially Maths) Happy Outstanding It doesn’t matter if you embarrass yourself you’re a character
not yourself.
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 8
Question 8: Any additional comments?
It helped me be more brave
Results from the Research Questionnaire for Teachers
The teachers were asked to evaluate whether they felt the drama
workshops had proved benefical to the pupils educational
experiences and outcomes. The teachers were asked to write down
the number which most accurately answered the question using the
administering scale below:
Administering the Scale:
1= Strongly Disagree
2= Disagree
3= Undecided
4= Agree
5= Strongly Agree
Results from the Research Questionnaire for Teachers
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 9
The two classroom teachers both strongly agreed that the Gaelic
Drama classes had contributed to the children becoming more
effective contributors.
To what extent do you feel that the Gaelic Drama classes have contributed to the
children becoming more responsible citi-zens?
strongly disagree disagree undecidedagree strongly agree
The two classroom teachers both agreed that the Gaelic Drama
classes had contributed to the children becoming more responsible
citizens.
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 10
In my own opinion, I felt that it was indeed an accurate evaluation
given by the teachers. The older primary pupils were excellent at
helping the younger pupils in the activities and over the sessions
showed an increase in maturity.
To what extent do you feel that the Gaelic Drama classes have contributed to the children
becoming more successful learners?
Strongly disagree disagree undecidedagree strongly agree
The two classroom teacher both strongly agreed that the Gaelic
Drama classes had contributed to the children becoming more
successful learners.
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 11
To what extent do you feel that the Gaelic Drama classes have contributed to the children becom-
ing more confident individuals?
Strongly disagree disagree undecidedagree strongly agree
The two classroom teacher both strongly agreed that the Gaelic
Drama classes had contributed to the children becoming more
confident individuals.
Would you like to see these drama sessions continue in your school?
Yes No
Both classroom teachers agreed they would like to see the drama
sessions continue in the school.
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 12
In your opinion are there ways in which these drama sessions
could be further developed?
Teacher 1
“It would be good to offer the Gaelic Drama workshops to the lower
primary classes as well.”
Teacher 2
“I feel the mainstream classes would benefit from doing these
workshops as part of their Gaelic classes.”
Any Additional comment/ feedback.
Feedback from Teacher 1
“Thank you for delivering such fun and inspiring workshops. It was
clear to see how enjoyable the children found the lessons. After each
week I could see their confidence growing and this carried through
into other areas of the curriculum that we worked on. Certain children
who prior to your workshop sessions tended to be shy and hold back
in class, showed a greater willingness to participate and have their
voices heard; particularly in class discussion. Moran Taing!”
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 13
Feedback from Teacher 2
“Having highlighted to you, that I would like to see the children’s
emotional literacy increased, I was really fascinated in observing how
you took the topic of Greek gods and goddesses and clearly
achieved the outlined aims. The children “lost themselves” in the new
characters that they had become. I would see them at break time
playing the games and continuing the stories that you had begun with
them. It truly captivated their imaginations. Thank you for such fun
and educational sessions.”
Discussion of Results
In this section I will critically reflect on the data gathered and discuss
to what degree the data gathered supports my initial aims and
expectations. In this section I will also discuss the reliability of the
evidence gathered.
The data gathered was through qualitative research in the form of
questionnaires. My initial fear was that the pupils might find the
questions in the questionnaire too difficult to answer or might be
unsure what the questions were asking. However, the class teacher
took the time to explain the questions to the pupils. In my opinion the
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 14
evidence gathered was very reliable as it was first-hand accounts
given by both the pupils and teachers.
To analyse whether the data gathered supports my initial aims and
expectations for the project I will review the research questions. The
following are the questions I had hoped would be answered through
the research project:
What model should be used to ensure optimum effectiveness in
teaching Gaelic Drama to young people?
How can I develop my teaching practice to ensure the young people
are achieving the aims laid out by the Curriculum for Excellence for
language learning and the expressive arts, looking specifically at
Gaelic Drama?
What strategies can be developed and used by Comunn na Gàidhlig
to evaluate the effectiveness of Gaelic Drama in enabling young
people to better engage with the Gaelic language?
Whether Gaelic Drama offers support with Gaelic language
acquisition and learning.
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 15
Whether Drama is an effective learning tool in supporting inter-
disciplinary learning?
From the data gathered and the research conducted in my literature
review there are various opinions on how Drama should be taught to
young people. From the data gathered from the pupils and teachers,
evidence would indicate that the model used in my workshops was to
a large degree successful.
All the pupils that participated in my Gaelic drama workshops either
agreed or strongly agreed that the Gaelic drama workshops had
helped them become effective contributors, responsible citizens,
successful learners and confident individuals.
The feedback would also evidence that the young people through
the Gaelic drama workshops were achieving the aims laid out by the
Curriculum for Excellence for language learning and the expressive
arts. The data gathered also evidenced that the Gaelic drama
workshops offered support with Gaelic language acquisition and
learning.
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 16
Through the workshops the pupils extended their Gaelic vocabulary.
The workshops gave the young people the opportunity to use their
Gaelic in an informal and fun environment. Feedback from both the
pupils and teachers evidence this.
From the data gathered from the pupils and teachers it was
evidenced that Drama is viewed as an effective learning tool in
supporting inter-disciplinary learning? Topics such as the Eco-system
and Greek gods and goddesses were successfully taught. The
children’s language skills were improved through an increase in
vocabulary. Movement and physical comedy were also areas that
were developed through the project. Leadership, team work,
creativity, communication and evaluation were also some of the skills
further developed as a result of the project.
Blooms Taxanomy of Learning also supports this. In Blooms
Taxanomy pyramid, understanding is ranked as the lowest form of
intelligence. The second highest form of intelligence is evaluation
with the highest form of intelligence ranked as creativity. Throughout
the workshops conducted, the learning outcomes for the pupils were
always to create and evaluate. This evidences drama to be an
effective learning tool in supporting inter-disciplinary learning.
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 17
Throughout the workshops the pupils successfully achieved the
learning outcomes. They demonstrated the highest form of
intelligence through the creation of characters and stories and in
successfully evaluating their own learning.
From the analysis of this data I have discovered that my teaching
style proved effective in inspiring and encouraging young people to
be creative and express themselves in different ways. The children
were able to express a range of emotions through exploring various
characters. Feedback from the teachers supports this. One teacher
commented on how the children “lost themselves in the characters
they created.” Feedback from the pupils was always extremely
positive with the children stating how fun and enjoyable they had
found the workshops. One pupil stated “it made me braver.” For me
as a teacher I teach to achieve these results. I want to see the
children confident and not afraid to express themselves in different
ways.
Through my Gaelic drama workshops I developed a rapport with the
pupils and a bond of trust was formed. It was evident to see that they
enjoyed the workshops and furthermore they also contributed to their
peer’s enjoyment. This was visible to see through their creative and
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
Research Project (PG Cert)
Exploring the most effective model for teaching Gaelic Drama in Primary Schools
P a g e | 18
expressive performances. They enjoyed making each other laugh
through their movement and physical comedy.
I will expand further on the evaluation of my learning and teaching in
the next section entitled Project Conclusions and Recommendations.
Word Count 1711
Rachel Kennedy
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
M.A Learning and Teaching (Gaelic Arts)
Tutor: Jamie Mackay
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