Before heading to class, I had this notion that it was going to be a bit of a drag. I mean, come on, it's called "Drama" – the name alone hinted at active movements, acting, creative thinking, and things that surround it that I don’t typically keen into. I'd had a taste of drama during my foundation programme, and while it was enjoyable, it did not reach my interest.
So this first class of drama, as usual, we went through the routine introduction of the course details – from the nitty-gritty of learning content to the impending assignments. And of course, it wouldn't be the first day if the lecturer didn't inquire about our expectations for the course. We were tasked with brainstorming three expectations in groups and presenting them later. However, the twist was, that we weren't just talking about our expectations – we were acting them out. We needed to make our expectations alive. It was ridiculously funny and sort of fun, seeing my classmates being clowns and everyone was simply on board with it.
Reflecting on it, I reckon Dr Abdullah had this acting exercise because, first, by incorporating an element of physicality, he wanted to break away from the stereotypical image of a stagnant classroom, demonstrating that learning could be dynamic and engaging. Secondly, the act of embodying our expectations through performance added an interactive and memorable moment to the class. It wasn't just about listening and note-taking; it was about living the experience. Moreover, I think he aimed to create a comfortable and inclusive atmosphere. The shared laughter formed during these light-hearted activities helped to dissolve any initial apprehensions or reservations we might have had about the subject. The class felt more like a community coming together to explore and express themselves rather than a traditional academic setting.
In this class, we're not just expected to learn – we're encouraged to express our emotions, let our creativity run wild, and holistically experience the subject matter. And, honestly, it's shaping up to be more fun and rewarding than I initially thought.