Ecology of Education

The Thrust presentation in the theater is one which marks a more modern interpretation of dramatic presentation of productions. One of the more difficult challenges that performers, as well as teachers, face are maintaining active audience engagement throughout the entirety of the production. Along with this dealing effectively with any disruption, or hecklers, that may [...]

The original and perhaps first presentation of dramatic works, barring the storytelling around the communal campfire, is the proscenium presentation. It is perhaps the best known and most widely recognized theatrical staging of any dramatic work. This staging is familiar as it resembles a box or television screen. In fact, many theorists and critics have [...]

The last series of blogs focused on designing and delivering a well balanced and engaging lesson utilizing the five act dramatic arc as originally presented by Freytag (1863).  This next series will look at the actual presentation of the lesson in both the physical, virtual, and cerebral spaces shared between the students, teacher, and ideas [...]

The final act of exploring and investigating the lesson cycle and lesson design utilizing the continuing metaphor of the five act play framework (Freytag, 1863) has reached its last act, the denouement. Similar to its dramatic doppelganger within the realm of instructional design this closing act helps to bring all of the previous acts together [...]

In Freytag’s (1863) construct of the Dramatic Pyramid, Act IV in the theatrical work is commonly referred to as the “falling action.” Similarly, in instructional design, the assessment phase or portion of the lesson cycle can be understood as its educational parallel for this particular exploration and investigation. Interestingly enough, this may not necessarily be [...]

In the Five Act Dramatic Arc, Act III is crucial in the structure of the overall narrative. It is the crux of the story. Similarly, the Individual Practice portion of the lesson cycle and instructional design can literally make or break almost the entirety of the educational experience. This holds true for the majority of [...]

Ancient physicians believed that humors ruled the health–both physical and mental–of the human body. Any imbalance was a sure cause for illness and disease. This belief gave rise to the practice of administering curatives such as bleedings, purgatives, diuretics, among others in order to restore the balance of humors within the patient’s body. Similarly, the [...]

According to the dramatic arc, the Second Act is commonly referred to as the “Rising Action.” At this stage of the theatrical production, tension is generated both on the stage between characters and off the stage between the story and the audience. At this point, crucial information is given to the audience in dialogue, monologue, [...]

Over the years which I have been a classroom teacher a particular idea, a concept has continually circled my mind fermenting.  It would not rest, constantly gnawing, vying for my complete attention.  Recently, I finally gave into its plyings and gave it my full attention.  Way back when I first went to college, many lifetimes [...]

Teaching is an interesting act, let alone a profession. As such, trying to codify and standardize the craft of teaching leads to numerous disagreements, constant lists, and more theories than saving plays espoused by Monday morning quarterbacks. However, one thing that is universal and timeless in the realm of teaching. That is a personal philosophy [...]