Ása Ragnarsdóttir

Drama Curriculum Development -

An Icelandic Perspective

Matthew Sheahan in conversation with Ása Helga Ragnarsdóttir

Provocations Interview - Asa .mp4

Conversation Summary

Quick recap

Ása shared her journey from professional actress to drama teacher and curriculum advocate in Iceland, describing the challenges and successes of integrating drama into the school system. The conversation concluded with discussions about drama education strategies.

Incorporating Drama into Icelandic Curriculum

Ása Hel Garagna Sutil, chair of FLISS (Icelandic Drama and Theater Association), shared her journey from professional actress and television host to drama teacher and curriculum advocate. She described how drama was previously used informally in Icelandic schools before being formally incorporated into the curriculum in 2013, which she and others achieved through persistent advocacy, including regular meetings with the educational minister and sharing research by authors like Ken Robinson, Elliot Eisner.and Jonothan Neelands

Drama Education Integration Challenges

Ása described the slow progress of integrating drama into the Icelandic school curriculum, starting with a personal initiative to teach drama to the educational minister's children. Despite initial success and support from educational institutions, the implementation faced challenges, including lack of funding and resistance from school administrators and parents who prioritized traditional subjects. Despite Ása's retirement, the organization she founded, FLISS, continues to advocate for drama education, conducting research to assess its implementation in schools and working to change perceptions about its value in the educational system.

Drama in Education Strategies

Ása advised on strategies to incorporate drama into education curricula, emphasizing the importance of starting with children to demonstrate its benefits and gaining parental support. She suggested increasing visibility through media outreach to highlight drama's educational value in fostering creativity, empathy, and interpersonal skills.

Effective Teaching Strategies Discussed

Ása discussed her teaching strategies, particularly emphasizing the use of role-playing and the "teacher in Role" approach, which she finds effective with young students. She also highlighted the importance of using "mandible of the expert" and making difficult decisions in materials to engage students. Matthew acknowledged her insights and noted that the work in Iceland continues to be challenging.

FLISS Drama Education Anniversary

Ása discussed the recent 20th anniversary celebration of FLISS, a drama education event in Iceland that featured performances by students and included singing and laughter. She mentioned that the event was successful and attracted many people, with attendees expressing interest in supporting and expanding drama education through collaboration with headmasters. Matthew expressed appreciation for the conversation and agreed to convey greetings to Ása's friends in Canada.

Ása Ragnarsdóttir is the chairman of FLÍSS the Icelandic drama and theatre association. She has been Arts and Drama Education at the School of Education, University of Iceland and the Iceland Academy of the Arts. She is now adjunct emerritus. She holds a degree Master of Arts in Drama and Theatre Education from the University of Warwick in England, 2002. Ása has been involved in curriculum development in Iceland and introducing drama in schools and higher education for over 35 years. She is an author of both textbooks and scholarly publications and articles on drama in education and has been a researcher for years. She is a professional actress and was a host at the children’s program in the Icelandic television for several years.

Matthew Sheahan is the Past President of the Council of Ontario Drama and Dance Educators (CODE), and the Vice President of the General Meeting Committee of the International Drama/Theatre Educators Association (IDEA). He has presented numerous workshops across Ontario and internationally, focussing predominantly on infusing and elevating marginalized and Indigenous voices in a good way, free from appropriation. In 2021, Matthew served as the project manager for the Grounded in Space and Place resource writing project, and facilitated the re-write for all Drama and Dance AQ and ABQ requirements through the Ontario College of Teachers. He is a veteran Drama teacher and an instructor with the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education in Intermediate and Senior Drama. Currently, Matthew is an Indigenous Education Instructional Coach with the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board K-12.