SDEA Masterclass: Designing Assessment Literacy in Drama Education with Dr Peter Duffy

[nggallery id=47] On 23 Sep 2017, Dr Peter Duffy facilitated a masterclass that challenged curriculum designers of arts programmes to evaluate existing assessment frameworks. True to the thinking framework, Dr Duffy provoked the participants to re-evaluate the definitions of assessment and learning they had coming into the masterclass. They were brought through the process of planning formative and summative assessments and learned to strengthen their teaching by focusing on specific, authentic tasks within instruction and reflection. It was a very challenging and exhilarating experience for the participants involved evidenced by the high level of participation in the robust discussions that was maintained throughout the masterclass. A total of 28 participants attended the workshop session from Anderson Secondary School, School of the Arts, Storytelling Association, Bowen Secondary School, Nanyang Girls’ High School, Xinmin Secondary School, Anglo-Chinese School, CHIJ ST Nicholas Girls’ School, MOE (Arts Education Branch), Mayflower Secondary School, Deyi Secondary School, Fuhua Primary School and St Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School. It was a good mix of freelance teaching artists, MOE teachers as well as drama and a music teacher from School of the Arts.


This September, SDEA (Singapore Drama Educators Association) presents a Masterclass and Talk by Dr. Peter Duffy - Master Teaching Artist, Education Director and a Pre-eminent Researcher in Drama and Cognition.

Masterclass: Designing Assessment Literacy in Drama Education (A Thinking Framework)

23 September 2017.Saturday. 10 am to 5pm In Singapore schools, the emphasis is increasingly on refining teachers’ assessment capabilities to develop and evaluate assessment plans in order to achieve desired outcomes of education, as well as interpret assessment information to inform decision-making and develop overall assessment policy. But what does assessment mean? From the Greek word ‘assidere’, assessment means to sit beside. As drama practitioners, how then do we utilise assessments as a means to sit beside students in their learning? How do we help our students shape their understanding of the practice and craft of theatre and the content of instruction? Through the process of planning formative and summative assessments, participants in the masterclass will learn how focusing on specific, authentic tasks within instruction and reflection strengthen teaching.  Furthermore, participants will get to examine how vital communication is and how technology can play a role in what and how we assess. This highly participatory and on-you-feet masterclass is geared towards School Drama Educators, Teaching Artists, Drama Programme Providers and Drama Curriculum Developers who want to strengthen their assessment skills. About Dr Peter Duffy                           

Dr Peter Duffy heads the Master of Arts in Teaching programme in theatre education at the University of South Carolina where he prepares future teachers to become drama educators. He teaches courses on drama-based pedagogies and arts integration. He is a director and is a former public school teacher, education director, and a New York City teaching artist. His research interests include ethnography, cognition and the arts, culturally responsive pedagogies and performed research.

Date    : 23 September 2017, Saturday Time   : 10 am to 5 pm, Registration starts 9.30am Venue : Blk O Multi-purpose Studio 1 & 2, Goodman Arts Centre, 90 Goodman Road, Singapore 439053

Cost    : $220 (SDEA Member), $280 (Non Member)

Due to overwhelming response, the registration is closed.   Those who wish to register for the masterclass, please email to office@sdea.org.sg and we will put you on the wait list.

  • Participants are to come in comfortable clothes
  • Enjoy 10% off for bookings of 3 participants or more
  • For booking of 3 participants & above, please email to office@sdea.org.sg
  • Please email school and participants' details to office@sdea.org.sg.

Dr Peter Duffy will give a talk: Drama, Cognition and Creativity on 22 September 2017, Friday.  Registration is closed.