DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Kyla Sokoll-Ward

Period 4B

10/26/09

 

Preliminary Research Plan

Part 1

 

1. What specific areas within the field will be investigated, researched, and/or studied?

 

            I will be studying the use of theatrical skills in everyday life. More specifically, I will look into how theatre builds confidence. I will use information from various sources to determine in what fields theatre is used. For example, I will examine if employers notice that theatre skills could be used by potential employees during interviews, or if public speakers notice themselves using theatre practices before a speech.

 

2. How will knowledge or ability in the field be acquired, developed and demonstrated through the year?

 

            I will acquire knowledge of my topic through secondary sources such as journals and books. I will interview an employer and ask them if they notice theatre skills used during interviews. I will also contact theatre directors/teachers from other high schools in Howard County to gain their perspective on development through theatre. Throughout the year, I will continue to send letters to various people who may be able to provide me with information on my topic. 

 

Nancy Brown (Contacted in October)

Educational Theatre Association
2343 Auburn Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45219

513.421.3900

 

Robert Colby (Contacted in October)

Emerson College, Director of Teacher Education

10 Boylston Place, 5th Floor

Boston, MA 02116-4624
617.824.8780

 

Lauren Tobiason (Primary Advisor)

Hammond High School

8800 Guilford Road

Columbia, MD 21046

410-313-7615

 

These are the people I have received information from or who have referred me to someone else. I plan to contact various other professionals in the field of theatre education to gain more information.

 

3. What will be the product(s) and/or outcome(s) of the year of study?

 

            I plan to survey the students in the Theatre Arts 1 class and personally ask them if they feel they have changed during the course of the class. Some sample questions may be: Do you feel more confident because of your work in this class? What are some things you can do now as a result of this year’s work that you felt you could not do before?

 

4. What proven need will be addressed? What real problem will be solved? What question will be researched?

 

            I feel there is a lack of understanding of the importance of theatrical skills in daily life. Because they had such an impact on my life, I feel they can be important to anyone. I feel everyone needs confidence in himself/herself to succeed. By researching the effects of a positive psyche created by theatre, I can prove the importance of confidence and theatre.

 

5. Who is the intended audience of the project? Who, other than the student, will learn or benefit as a result of the work? To whom will the outcomes be communicated? For whom is the product or result intended?

 

            The audience of my project is anyone of any age. The information is pertinent to anyone because confidence and life skills are essential to each person. The final product will most likely be more directed toward high school students because the surveys will be completed by students.

 

6. Will the audience be local, state or national?

 

            The information will be relevant to a national audience, but my audience will be local.

 

7. How will the product and outcomes be communicated to or performed for the selected audience? What will be the outlet vehicle?

 

            My product will be sent to the other theatre directors in Howard County and possibly other statewide or nationwide sources.

 

8. What resources will be required for the project (human, print, organizations, media)?

 

            In sending out the research, I will be using inter-school connections and email. In acquiring additional research, I will be using libraries and electronic databases.

 

9. What are the special considerations for the project?

 

            I will need permission from the students to use their comments when sending out the completed surveys to the Howard County schools. I will need envelopes and stamps to send the information out as well.

 

 

PART II

 

By the end of November I will have:

 

Taken notes on substantial observations within the Theatre Arts 1 class

Continued to work with the students on their acting skills

 

By the end of December I will have:

 

Observed the needs of the students to help gather questions

Begun compiling survey questions for the students to complete

 

By the end of January I will have:

 

Had students complete the survey on their growth of skills in theatre

Analyzed results of survey and decided if more surveys should be given

Asked other groups (advanced theatre students, teachers) to complete the survey

 

By the end of February I will have:

 

Compared results of different group responses

Determined if theatre skills are acquired over a certain span of time

Sent surveys/other questionnaires to various professional theatres

 

By the end of March I will have:

 

Compiled all survey results

Collected names of theatre teachers in the Howard County area

 

By the end of April I will have:

 

Collected envelopes, stamps, and addresses of all educators I want to receive my information

Sent survey results and research products

 

By the end of May I will have:

 

Made final revisions to my work

Received feedback on my product

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.