Integrating Pantomime Learning in Higher Education: A Case Study of Theater Programs in Indonesia
It is suspected that pantomime learning in the pantomime theater course is still not running optimally; this was discovered during observations. This study aims to analyze the implementation of pantomime learning applications in the Pantomime Theater course within the Dance and Drama Study Program at Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia, and their impact on students' competencies. The study used a qualitative approach with a descriptive case study strategy. Data collection was carried out through observation, in-depth interviews, documentation, and literature review. The informants in this study consisted of lecturers in charge of the course, students, and learning support staff. Based on data analysis and observations, as well as interviews with informants, information was obtained and presented as research results. The results showed that pantomime learning was carried out through an integration of modern methods with the corporeal mime approach developed by figures such as Étienne Decroux and Marcel Marceau. In the learning process, learning tools were designed, including a syllabus and a systematic Semester Learning Plan, and implemented across three main stages: introduction, core, and closing. The learning media used to support learning are video tutorials and direct practice, which can support the improvement of students' understanding visually and kinesthetically. To conduct the assessment, a holistic learning evaluation is carried out by considering various components and specific aspects such as technical aspects, expression, creativity, and understanding of theater concepts. While the main supporting factors include campus facilities and practical activities, research and observations found several obstacles, including low student motivation, limited time available for practice, and a lack of understanding of theory among students. The solution implemented is the integration of theory and practice, and the strengthening of independent learning. Thus, the harmony between theory and practice in pantomime learning can be maximized in the future and become a concern and consideration for the lecturer in charge of the course.
Keywords: Pantomime learning, Theater education, Instructional application, Corporeal mime, Performing arts education
Adamson, B., Forestier, K., Morris, P., & Han, C. (2017). PISA, policymaking and political pantomime: education policy referencing between England and Hong Kong. Comparative Education, 53(2), 192-208.
Adijaya, N. (2021). Teaching Pantomime for Elementary Students. ARDU: Journal of Arts and Education, 1(2), 59–65. https://doi.org/10.56724/ardu.v1i2.70
Amin, A., Murtono, M., Fathurohman, I., & Sabri, I. (2021). Pantomime Art Education Technology for Elementary Schools. ANP Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(2), 128–134. https://doi.org/10.53797/anp.jssh.v2i2.18.2021
Mancar, S. A., & Gülleroğlu, H. D. (2022). Comparison of inter-rater reliability techniques in performance-based assessment. International Journal of Assessment Tools in Education, 9(2), 515–533.
Basri, S. Q., Sabri, I., Muhammad, A. H., Trisakti, T., & Karoso, S. (2025, December). Pantomime-Based Arts Education for Deaf Children: Developing Inclusive Expression and Nonverbal Communication in Digital Contexts. In Proceeding of International Joint Conference on UNESA (Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 770–780).
Behera, A., Matthew, P., Keidel, A., Vangorp, P., Fang, H., & Canning, S. (2020). Associating Facial Expressions and Upper-Body Gestures with Learning Tasks for Enhancing Intelligent Tutoring Systems. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, 30(2), 236–270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40593-020-00195-2
Brown, S., Mittermaier, E., Kher, T., & Arnold, P. (2019). How Pantomime Works: Implications for Theories of Language Origin. Frontiers in Communication, 4(March), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2019.00009
Chisunum, J. I., & Nwadiokwu, C. N. (2024). Enhancing Student Engagement through Practical Production and Utilization of Instructional Materials in an Educational Technology Class: A Multifaceted Approach. NIU Journal of Educational Research, 10(2), 81–89. https://doi.org/10.58709/niujed.v10i2.2002
De Marinis, M., & Leabhart, S. (2021). Étienne Decroux. In Peripeti (Vol. 1, Issue 2). https://doi.org/10.7146/peri.v1i2.107487
Dwishiera Cahya Anasta, N., & Fauzi Giwangsa, S. (2021). The Use of Technology In Dance Education For Prospective Primary Teacher Students. ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. https://doi.org/10.1145/3516875.3516951
Erfan, A. (2025). Learning Through Movement : the Effect of Pantomime on the Consolidation of Literary Concepts in Sixth Grade. 3(3), 190–199. https://doi.org/10.22034/jmhs.2025.520405.1140
Gärdenfors, P. (2017). Demonstration and pantomime in the evolution of teaching. Frontiers in Psychology, 8(MAR), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00415
Hanif, M. (2020). The development and effectiveness of motion graphic animation videos to improve primary school students’ sciences learning outcomes. International Journal of Instruction, 13(4), 247–266. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2020.13416a
Jacob, S. (2022). The Repurposed Pantomime: Exploiting aesthetic distance and playfulness via Brechtian dialectics to engage young adult audiences (Doctoral dissertation, Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington).
Kyropoulos, D. (2023). Teaching acting to singers: harnessing historical techniques to empower modern performers (Doctoral dissertation, University of Oxford).
Lo, K. W. K., Ngai, G., Chan, S. C. F., & Kwan, K. P. (2022). How Students’ Motivation and Learning Experience Affect Their Service-Learning Outcomes: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 13(April), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.825902
Mancar, S. A., & Gülleroğlu, H. D. (2022). Comparison of inter-rater reliability techniques in performance-based assessment. International Journal of Assessment Tools in Education, 9(2), 515–533.
Meşe, E., & Sevilen, Ç. (2021). Factors influencing EFL students’ motivation in online learning: A qualitative case study. Journal of Educational Technology and Online Learning, 4(1), 11–22.
Murphy, L., Eduljee, N. B., & Croteau, K. (2021). Teacher-centered versus student-centered teaching: Preferences and differences across academic majors. Journal of Effective teaching in Higher education, 4(1), 18–39.
Noan, N. P. (2024). Effects of drama-based instruction with digital learning activities on English oral communication ability of Myanmar secondary EFL students.
Olubunmi, A. N. (2024). Students on Stage: Narratives and Dynamics of School Performance. Ológè: Lasued International Journal of Humanities Education, 1(01), 193–200. https://doi.org/10.36349/olijhe.2024.v.01i01.21
Petr, K., Elena, K., Oleg, M., & Liudmila, N. (2018, September). Facilitation of innovative pedagogical activity of university teachers. In International Conference on the Theory and Practice of Personality Formation in Modern Society (ICTPPFMS 2018) (pp. 266–269). Atlantis Press.
Qasemi, F. H., & Zare, S. (2025). A Comparison of Effectiveness of Lecture & Pantomime on Retention Learned Materials. 218–246. https://iaall.iranjournals.ir/article_198242_b4fa5c74860f89fc47d25f065fceb598.pdf?lang=fa
Redling, E. (2025). Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills and Ethical Responsibility in UK Higher Education in Times of “Polycrisis”: Two Case Studies from Drama and Theatre Arts. ArtsPraxis, 11(1), 83. https://doi.org/10.33682/maab-c1rq
Rosborough, A. (2014). Gesture, meaning-making, and embodiment: Second language learning in an elementary classroom. Journal of Pedagogy, 5(2), 227–250. https://doi.org/10.2478/jped-2014-0011
Sharoff, L. (2019). Creative and innovative online teaching strategies: Facilitation. Journal of Educators Online, 16(2), 9. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1223934.pdf
Sibierska, M., Boruta-Żywiczyńska, M., Żywiczyński, P., & Wacewicz, S. (2022). What’s in a mime? Interaction Studies. Social Behaviour and Communication in Biological and Artificial Systems, 23(2), 289–321. https://doi.org/10.1075/is.22002.sib
Spyropoulou, M. A. (2025). Theater in Education and The New School: A Shift in Educational Priorities. European Journal of Education Studies, 12(11), 531–550.
Tang, K. H. D. (2023). Student-centered Approach in Teaching and Learning: What Does It Really Mean? Acta Pedagogia Asiana, 2(2), 72–83. https://doi.org/10.53623/apga.v2i2.218
Vitsou, M., Papadopoulou, M., & Gana, Ε. (2021). Getting Them Back to Class: A Project to Engage Refugee Children in School Using Drama Pedagogy. Scenario: A Journal of Performative Teaching, Learning, Research, 42–59. https://doi.org/10.33178/scenario.14.2.3
Yanti, Y. W., Hidayati, L., & Huda, A. R. (2025). Fostering Student Character Through Art Performances: A Qualitative Study in Primary Education. Science and Education, 4, 569–579. http://sunankalijaga.org/prosiding/index.php/icrse/article/download/1490/1189
Żywiczyński, P., Placiński, M., Sibierska, M., Boruta-Żywiczyńska, M., Wacewicz, S., Meina, M., & Gärdenfors, P. (2024). Praxis, demonstration and pantomime: a motion capture investigation of differences in action performances. Language and Cognition, 16(4), 1338–1365. https://doi.org/10.1017/langcog.2024.8
Żywiczyński, P., Wacewicz, S., & Lister, C. (2021). Pantomimic fossils in modern human communication. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 376(1824). https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2020.0204
Żywiczyński, P., Wacewicz, S., & Sibierska, M. (2018). Defining Pantomime for Language Evolution Research. Topoi, 37(2), 307–318. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11245-016-9425-9
No supplementary information available.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The copyright is reserved to Pedagogy Review that is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Address:
CV. IMRECS: Jalan Gagak I, Kecamatan Larangan, Kota Tangerang. Postal Code: 15155
STKIP Al Islam Tunas Bangsa: Jalan Z.A. Pagar Alam No. 41 Gedong Meneng Bandar Lampung