SDEA Essentials of Teaching and Learning Approaches (10th Intake)

SDEA's signature drama pedagogy certification course.

This 49-hour certification course will provide you with fundamental pedagogical knowledge and skills to create meaningful and imaginative learning experiences for your students and participants with drama, and widen the possibilities and opportunities for work in Singapore.

At the end of the course, participants will be awarded with a Certificate of Completion, which is recognised by the National Arts Council. This Certificate satisfies the pedagogical requirement for arts instructors to conduct NAC-AEP Arts Experience programmes in Primary and Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges, Centralised Institutes and ITE Regional Campuses.

ETLA graduates will be invited to join a Community of Practice that meets quarterly to reflect on their practice and share best practices.

About ETLA10

Course Objectives:

• Develop greater awareness of the role and impact of a drama educator in the Singapore context
• Understand the creative potential of drama-based pedagogies that aim to foster students’ curiosity, empathy and criticality
• Understand key components of lesson planning and acquire skills in planning developmentally appropriate drama lessons for target groups
• Manage resources and the physical environment as part of classroom management
• Understanding of physical, psychological and emotional safety and well-being in the classroom
• Develop skills and strategies to guide students in unpacking arts and cultural experiences while encouraging critical thinking and dialogue

Minimum Requirement:

• Professional Qualification in Drama/Theatre or a related art form (minimum of a diploma and/or industry experience)
• Some Teaching Experience

Suitable For:

• Fresh Graduates from Tertiary Drama Programmes
• Drama/Theatre-based Artists
• Drama Educators Without Pedagogy Training (e.g. Drama CCA Instructors, Drama Enrichment Instructors)
• School Teachers 

Module Synopses

Drama Education in the Singapore Context (DESC)

Facilitator: Asha Nathan

This module provides an overview of the development, perspectives and precision of drama education in the Singapore context.

This module also aims to help learners discover their own professional standing as a drama educator and equip them with skills to engage in reflective practice. Upon completion of this module, learners will develop a greater awareness of their roles and responsibilities and how they can contribute as a professional drama educator in the Singapore context.

Drama Pedagogies: Facilitated, Embodied, Critical and Active Learning (DPED)

Facilitator: Dr. Noorlinah Mohamed

This module explores the different pedagogies in drama education. Using lesson plans as case studies, learners will unpack and experience the different pedagogies and identify fundamentals that are unique to drama education. One of the key fundamentals grounding the process is facilitated learning that engages students in critically reviewing their world through embodied and active learning.

​Upon completion of the module, learners will be able to consider the creative potential of a range of drama-based pedagogies that aim to foster student’s curiosity, empathy and criticality.

The Reflective Practitioner (TRP)

Facilitator: Dr. Noorlinah Mohamed

This module introduces learners to the importance of being a reflective practitioner. Reflective practice is an approach that enables learners to understand how they can use the knowledge and skills gained during the course and/or other learning contexts in practical work situations and how they combine action and learning in a more effective way. Through greater awareness and reflection, learners will be able to identify and articulate the knowledge that is embedded in the experience of their work so that they can constantly improve their teaching and learning practices. ​

​Upon completion of the module, learners will develop better awareness and understanding of the importance of engaging in reflective practice and critically analyse own practices to gain a better understanding of quality teaching for safe and positive learning environments.

Developing and Delivering Meaningful Drama Sessions: Effective Engagement & Thoughtful Planning (EETP)

Facilitator: Jeffrey Tan

This module introduces learners to the rigours of lesson planning and the importance of:

• Developing developmentally and culturally appropriate drama activities for students
• Considering effective and affective engagement strategies during lesson

Upon completion of the module, learners will gain a better understanding of the key components of lesson planning and acquire some skills in planning developmentally appropriate drama lesson for students from 4 to 16 years of age.

Facilitation of an Effective Learning Environment (FELE)

Facilitator: Elvira Holmberg

This module introduces the learners to the importance of a stimulating, engaging and well organised learning environment and how it affects student behaviour and learning. It examines how a variety of choices of materials and approaches stimulates students’ thinking and facilitates their learning.

Upon completion of the module, learners will acquire basic skills and knowledge on how to create, organise and select appropriate resources and materials to facilitate learning in the drama classroom. Learners will also gain some strategies to manage the physical environment as part of classroom management.

Evaluation in the Drama Classroom (EDC)
Facilitator: Asha Nathan

This module introduces the learners to the importance of evaluation in helping educators make informed decisions about students’ learning and instruction.

Upon completion of the module, learners will acquire basic skills and knowledge in strategies for authentic evaluation of student’s learning and key considerations in the evaluation of activities implemented in a drama classroom.

Assessment of a Drama Session (ADS)
Facilitator: Asha Nathan

The module introduces the learners to the different forms of assessment and rubrics. It is especially essential as it will equip Drama Educators with the ability to determine the assessment mode based on the programme they will be teaching. This will ensure that the assessment is carried out in a safe and accurate manner.

Upon completion of the module, learners will gain a better understanding of the different forms of assessments that are currently established. Learners will also be better equipped to assess students using rubrics as a scoring tool.

From Principles to Practice - Microteaching Presentations (FPTP)

Facilitator: Jeffrey Tan & Elvira Holmberg

Participants will present a 15-min presentation (micro-teaching) based on a section of the submitted lesson plan.

Participants will have to demonstrate the following:

• Content designed for relevant age and topic 
• Implementation of clear and logical sequence 
• Gradual development of skills plan 
• Appropriate and effective use of materials and resources 
• Application of effective engagement strategies 
• Application of classroom management strategies

Facilitating Post-Show Dialogues and Unpacking Arts & Cultural Experiences (FPD)
Facilitator: Adib Kosnan

The module will equip learners with strategies in facilitating post-show dialogues with students. The module will also guide learners in the unpacking of arts and cultural experiences for students while encouraging critical thinking and dialogue.

Participants will be attending a theatre performance as part of the module.

Reflection: My Professional Learning Journey (RPLJ)

Facilitator: Dr. Noorlinah Mohamed

Participants will reflect on their professional self and course experience.

SDEA Membership Discount

All SDEA Members enjoy 25% early bird discount (now - 17 Nov 2024) or 20% off standard price (18 Nov 2024 onwards).

SDEA Membership is a 2-year renewable membership. A one-time fee of S$40.00 is required upon application. Membership renewal is based on engagement in SDEA activities (ie. participate in at least 1 SDEA event within the 2 year period.)*

*Membership renewal condition(s) are subjected to changes. Please contact SDEA for the lastest information.

Click to apply for SDEA Membership

Early Bird Discount [till 17 Nov 2024]

Non-SDEA Members enjoy a 5% early bird discount on the standard course fee till 17 Nov 2024.

SDEA Members enjoy a 25% early bird discount on the standard course fee till 17 Nov 2024.

NAC-AEP Subsidy

Current NAC-AEP approved instructors/providers will be eligible for 50% subsidy by SDEA.

Applicants will be required to provide proof during registration or via email.

Tina Sergeant Professional Development Initiative (TSPDI) [Open to SDEA Members only | Application closes 3 Nov 2024]

The Tina Sergeant Professional Development Initiative (TSPDI) is a funding initiative by the Singapore Drama Educators Association (SDEA) to support freelance practitioners and drama educators to make professional development a regular part of their lives. 

Successful applicants will be awarded up to S$500 subsidies for this course.

Click here to find out more about the initiative.

Applicants must be: Associate or Ordinary members of SDEA

Application:

Click to apply for TSPDI

Application Deadline: Sunday, 03 November 2024, 11:59pm

Shortlisted candidates will be notified for an interview between 04 to 28 November 2024. 

Successful recipients will be notified by: Friday, 29 November 2024.

SkillsFuture Credit [NEW!]

Singaporeans aged 25 and above who are eligible for SkillsFuture Credit can apply for a claim.

Please inform SDEA upon course registration your intent to utilise your SkillsFuture Credit in part or in full for the qualifying course fee to obtain the necessary supporting documents for the claim.

Visit MySkillsFuture to check your credit balance* and for more information on the claims process.

*Only the SkillsFuture Credit from the Opening Credit and One-off Credit Top-Up are claimable for this course. The Mid-Career Credit is not applicable. 

Applicants sponsored by an organisation or request for school e-billing will not be eligible for a SkillsFuture Credit claim.

NAC-NICA Training Support

Self-employed arts educators can claim up to $500 in subsidies and training allowance.

Applicants must be:

• NICA Member (NTUC Union Members may convert their membership)

Application process:

1. Apply for a Letter of Eligibility (LOE) from NICA
2. Email the NICA-issued LOE to SDEA by 24 Feb 2024

More details and application here

NOTE 1: This funding is in the form of a reimbursement. Successful applicants will have to make full payment to SDEA first.

NOTE 2: Successful applicants will automatically be eligible for UTAP funding. No additional application is required for UTAP.

Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)

NTUC Union members enjoy up to 50% unfunded course fee support, capped at $250 or $500 (aged 40 years old and above).

UTAP application must be submitted within 6 months after course completion via the NTUC UPortal. T&Cs can be found here.

NOTE: This funding is in the form of a reimbursement. Registrants will have to make full payment to SDEA first.