Blog entry 3 - multimodal_composition.exe.720p

Multimodal composition involves compiling a variety of texts in order to communicate an idea to a specific audience. Throughout our unit in class, my peers and I were exposed to a number of strategies to aid us with multimodal composition, however, what stood out to me was the use of drama and stageplay to aid students in learning. 

When I watched the documentary A Touch of Greatness, I saw how well young minds were able to grasp complex topics when presented to them in a way that allowed them to interact and engage in exploration with their peers. Seeing how a class of grade school students was able to portray Julius Ceasar so elegantly proved to me that having the right mindset and attitude will allow any teacher effectively teach their subjects to anyone. Instructional drama is also portrayed in the article A Dramatic Approach to Learning: Teaching in Role. Similar to A Touch of Greatness, this article begins by walking us through an improvised scene consisting of a  museum curator gathering information about rocks from experts during a conference. In my opinion, this form of instructional drama seems much less effective in teaching actual course content than something that has been scripted, however, I believe improvised drama allows for easier expression of personal beliefs and emotions that allow students to disconnect from the typical classroom environment and engage in what matters to them specifically. Such can also be a way for students to work towards becoming comfortable within themselves, as well as with their peers and instructors. Being comfortable is something that I believe is too often overlooked and covered up by a focus on individual statistics within modern classrooms. I believe that the best ideas and beliefs stem from engagement with others and that class discussion, or in this case, an improvised scene, where everyone is looked at as equal allows students to make discoveries about themselves that hold the potential to help them change the world.