In 2013 drama was included in the national curriculum framework in Iceland for the first time. As a result, there were considerable tensions connected with how Icelandic schools could or should embrace this newcomer to the curriculum, whether the necessary competence existed to teach the subject and what kind of status drama could achieve among the other subjects in school. In my paper I will elaborate the functions of drama now with focus on the Icelandic education. This part is summed up in a suitable vision for drama now in Icelandic schools – from the perspective of the government/educational policy, from the perspective of drama’s function, and from the perspective of the learner, the student. I will also present ideas regarding a suitable vision for the functions of drama in schools in the future and what is aid and hindering its realisation.
Dr. Rannveig Björk Thorkelsdóttir:
Assistant lecturer, in drama and theatre at the University of Iceland, School of Education. She is an experienced drama teacher educator. She has been involved in curriculum development in creativity and introducing drama in compulsory schools and higher education. She is in her research and practice focused on drama and artistic approaches to teaching and learning. Rannveig has published several books and articles on teaching and learning in drama. She is a professional actress and she has written and directed plays for children.
