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Developing an online improv comedy course: an action research study

Keates, Nathan (2024) Developing an online improv comedy course: an action research study. International Journal of Lifelong Education. ISSN 0260-1370

Item Type: Article

Abstract

I explored the development of a 4-week online introduction to improv course, to verify the fit of the games and exercises used in this short course. I employed practitioner action research to develop an understanding of autistic learning needs. A socio-constructivist framework was used in the teaching, and focus groups were conducted after each class to obtain data. I recruited a total of 17 autistic participants for the Zoom-based improv classes, with groups of three to five autistic adults per course. Five courses were completed, and focus groups were run after each class to discuss the trialled improv training. The data collected identified improvements that participants felt would better support their learning. I found that autistic adults were comfortable learning with other autistic learners, and the gradual, informative teaching approach addressed their needs. An autistic teaching assistant was also found to be necessary. However, there were both desired and unwanted content, as well as contradictions about using online versus offline mode of study, and the necessary group size. The findings suggest that these considerations should be taken into account for adult education programmes aimed at autistic learners.

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Improv Aut AR d22 CLEAN.docx - Accepted Version
Restricted to Repository staff only until 23 October 2025.
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Improv Aut AR d22 CLEAN (1).pdf - Accepted Version
Restricted to Repository staff only until 23 October 2025.
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.

Download (293kB) | Request a copy

More Information

Uncontrolled Keywords: Action research, autism, improv
Depositing User: Nathan Keates

Identifiers

Item ID: 17577
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370.2024.2344588
ISSN: 0260-1370
URI: http://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/17577
Official URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02601...

Users with ORCIDS

ORCID for Nathan Keates: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-3070-1580

Catalogue record

Date Deposited: 24 Apr 2024 09:10
Last Modified: 24 Apr 2024 09:15

Contributors

Author: Nathan Keates ORCID iD

University Divisions

Faculty of Education and Society > School of Social Sciences > Centre for Applied Social Sciences
University of Sunderland in London

Subjects

Education
Performing Arts
Social Sciences

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