Preservice primary school teachers’ journey to drama in Türkiye

This case study examined the drama education received by preservice primary school teachers in terms of both theoretical and practical aspects. The sample consisted of seventeen preservice primary school teachers (thirteen women and four men) from the Department of Classroom Education of the Faculty of Education of a public university in Türkiye. Data were collected using drama lesson plans, practice lesson diaries, semi-structured interview questions and metaphors. The data were analysed using inductive content analysis. The results showed that participants held misconceptions regarding drama lesson methods and techniques in their lesson plans. Participants had difficulty managing their classrooms while implementing their plans and they did not fully understand dramatization. Moreover, their classrooms were too crowded for drama activities. Participants stated that drama made the lessons more fun. They noted that drama helped them develop creativity and interact with their classmates. They also added that drama made them feel free. They regarded drama as a method or technique that could be used in any course. Researchers should conduct further qualitative and quantitative studies to examine drama’s ‘discipline’ dimension and to form a basis for needs analysis for its use in education.