ILSAs in Aesthetics in school – which competences develops through drama in learning processes

Abstract

This chapter discusses the role of aesthetic education with a focus on educational drama and theatre. It investigates the lack of international large-scale studies (ILSA) in the field of aesthetic education and exemplifies how to measure competence development in one of the aesthetic subjects: drama, based on the international mixed method large-scale assessment study DICE (Drama Improves Lisbon Key Competences in Education). The aim is to gain new understanding of the role of aesthetics in schooling, relating traditional philosophical arts theory from Aristotle and Dewey to relevant contemporary conceptualisations, such as 21st century skills (OECD), Lisbon Key Competences (EU) and Education for Sustainable Development (UNESCO). The discussion considers three main questions: Why does only a few international large-scale quantitative assessments of drama education exist? Why are researchers and practitioners in drama education sceptical about quantitative measurements? Can we design large-scale assessment studies in drama education?