Using improvisational theater techniques in the classroom can assist in building acceptance and inclusion for all. Improv, as it is commonly known, is unscripted theater that focuses on active listening and collaboration. The hit UK and US comedy series “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” has shown the world how improv is and can be used for entertainment - and many of the same principles easily transfer over to more professional settings.
“Yes, and…”: These two words are the bread and butter of the improv mindset, showing acceptance of the past idea and building upon it to make it even more successful. In a classroom, this motto helps bring people to agreements, maintains focus on the common goal, and encourages creativity and problem-solving skills. Improv skills help to show students that they have valuable ideas and that they are not alone faced with a difficult problem.
These are the same core tenets and principles behind our #PlayLearnTeach modules for professional development for educators - building upon our signature #PlayLearnGrow approach in the classroom. Even as emerging technology forces us all to redefine education, the “tech” component is only one part of the triangle - process drives the learning design, and delivery defines the learning experience.
