Educational technology : towards an understanding of effective technologies, with particular reference to literacy

• Main Author: Spencer, Ken
• Published: University of Hull 2000
• Subjects: 371.334; Education
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.421996

Forum Theatre technique established by Augusto Boal, a well-known Brazilian dramatist, is a kind of social therapy where people are not just watching the play but are also encouraged to participate in the play and give ideas and solutions to the problems. This study focuses on the Forum Theater as a medium or tool for the Malay adolescents to discuss their social problems creatively and critically. The study discusses the historical background of Theatre of the Oppressed (TO), as well as its components such as Image Theatre, Forum Theatre, Invisible Theatre, the Rainbow of Desire and Legislative Theatre. Forum Theatre has been successfully performed in European countries under the guise of 'Power Play', 'Therapy Play', 'Theatre of Revolution' and 'Theatre for Social Change'. Theatre of the Oppressed, especially the Forum Theatre, is generally unknown in Malaysian society and the approach needs to be introduced and explained in some detail. By having a comprehensive description of the Theatre of the Oppressed, the Malaysian reader will be able to understand the technique and approach in a deeper sense. As the research is about the implementation of Forum approach with adolescents, studies also concentrated on several theories of adolescent ii behavior and development from several perspectives and fields. The world of adolescents is confusing and complex and differs between countries. This study allows a better understanding on the complexity of Malay adolescence. The study focuses in general on the dilemma of the Malay traditional system of culture and norms that has been developed for centuries which has affected the adolescents' way of life. The study criticizes some of the customs (adat) that have caused Malays, and especially adQlescents, to be incompetent and silent. Several opinions from various sources were quoted to support the ideas. The application of the original Forum approach in Malaysia is complicated because there is lack of written references available in the country. To implement the approach in Malaysia some modification and adjustment were made by adapting several other therapeutic approaches such as Psychodrama and Playback Theatre. To verify the effectiveness of the adapted approach, workshops with the troubled adolescents in the two rehabilitation centres known as Tunas Bakti Schools (STB) were conducted. The data gathered in the workshops were analyzed to determine the reception of the approach by the society and especially by the adolescents. Results from these two workshops were studied and analyzed and a new adapted approach appropriate for the Malaysian context has been constructed. The outcome will provide a model for Malaysians interested in applying the technique in future.