An action research on use of creative drama method in science course: the human and environment unit

The aim of the study is to prepare an action plan for solving the learning problems experienced by students in the "Human and Environment" unit in science curriculum, and to investigate the effectiveness of this plan. To this end, the planning of the research was carried out in two different groups, namely the needs analysis group and the application group. With the data obtained from the needs analysis group, the obstacles for students to learn the Human and Environment unit were determined. In order to eliminate these obstacles, an action plan was prepared in which the creative drama method was used. In the study, which was designed as an action research, a document consisting of open-ended questions, semi-structured interview and observation were used as data collection tools. The implementation continued for 10 sessions (20 lesson hours) for five weeks in a private school in Kayseri in the spring semester of the 2018-2019 academic year. After the application, the data obtained from the participants were analyzed by content analysis. At the end of the study conducted with the needs analysis group, it was concluded that group activities that allow the learner to experience directly outside the classroom will contribute to the learning of the subjects of the Human and Environment Unit. At the end of the study that carried out with the practice group, it was concluded that using the creative drama method in teaching the Human and Environment unit creates a communication environment with group work, encourages expressing thoughts, provides meaningful learning with techniques such as improvisation and role playing, and contributes to learning by having fun by allowing the use of life experiences. In line with the results, suggestions were made to teachers -who would apply the creative drama method- about the situations they might encounter during the process. Researchers were suggested to work on the contribution of creative drama method to a different unit that can be included in environmental education. Keywords: Creative drama, action research, human and environment unit