Katie Dawson

Project Title: Drama-Based Pedagogy: Refinement and Alignment for the University Context 

Project Summary: Active, embodied learning and creative teaching is needed in higher education, yet many faculty struggle with how to take up the approach. My PTF project engaged six faculty members from across UT - American Studies, Biology, Art/Design, Classics, Education, and Theatre- in a 15 week faculty learning community focused on active and creative teaching strategies. Through the project, faculty members explored active and creative teaching methods in monthly meetings, and re-designed at least two lectures to use active/creative teaching approaches. Faculty also received individual coaching and observation from me or one of my graduate students. Qualitative and quantitative outcomes showed a shift in participants’ perception of themselves as teachers, their relationship to students, and their relationship to interdisciplinary research. Faculty from this project went on to become a PTF fellow and/or to design their own faculty learning community based on their experience in this project. Findings from this project were shared at three conferences (national and international) and are included in a new book which is due to be published in 2021.