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HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT AND THEORETICAL ISSUES RELATIVE TO THE UTILIZATION OF PUPPETRY AS A MEDIUM FOR INSTRUCTION
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to record historical data, discuss theoretical issues and develop educational strategies relative to the utilization of educational puppetry. The study was designed to collect, analyze and present information to substantiate puppetry as an educational medium which has the potential to be as effective as other educational media. The early history of puppetry in various cultures of the world, the history of puppetry in religious ceremonies and the development of puppetry in America was described. Basic characteristics of the theories of learning as proposed by Gagne, Skinner, Bruner and Piaget were presented. The rationale for educational media and educational puppetry was reported. Methods of utilizing classroom puppetry were paralleled with specific facets of learning theories. It was shown that a classroom puppet could reinforce learning as advocated by Skinner's theory of behavior. Problem-solving as defined by Piaget was shown to be enhanced by the use of a teacher's puppet. Animism and intuitive thinking were shown to be two characteristics of children's thinking that allow the child to be engrossed in a lesson utilizing puppets. Bruner's theory of inquiry and questioning was shown to be enhanced by puppets used both by the teacher and the child. It was shown that Gagne's theory of learning supports the concept of multisensory educational media and encourages the use of a variety of media. Puppetry for concept learning and specific puppetry techniques for the classroom teacher were listed. Each technique was correlated with a concept to be taught in a particular subject of the curriculum. It was concluded that puppets not only add spontaneity to the teaching/learning setting but also puppets are a valid educational medium well-founded within contemporary learning theories. Classroom puppetry was described as a live three-dimensional educational medium which can be utilized in various areas of a school curriculum. It was emphasized that educational puppetry be slanted toward the art and use of the puppet and away from an emphasis on the construction of the puppet.
Subject Area
Teacher education
Recommended Citation
STUTHEIT, WILMA KENNEDY, "HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT AND THEORETICAL ISSUES RELATIVE TO THE UTILIZATION OF PUPPETRY AS A MEDIUM FOR INSTRUCTION" (1981). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8201040.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8201040