On October 11, 2024, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at UIC hosted lunchtime research sharing session in Room 301 of the T2 Building. Associate Professor Jie Wang from the Music Department of the School of Culture and Creativity delivered a presentation titled "The Power of Theatre: An Imaginative Approach to Teaching." The event brought together over 30 faculty members from various departments.

In her presentation, Ms. Wang shared some of the teaching methods she has been exploring to inspire students’ imagination and creativity. Using The Lion King musical as an example, she demonstrated how incorporating elements of theatre can encourage students to think more creatively, communicate more effectively, and work collaboratively. Rather than simply presenting her ideas, Ms. Wang invited her colleagues to participate in two theatre-based activities commonly used in her classroom. This hands-on experience allowed the participants to directly engage with the teaching approach and explore its potential impact. Together, they reflected on how theatre education principles could be applied more widely in their own teaching practices, fostering a deeper conversation on creating more dynamic and interactive learning environments.

The presentation was well-received, with colleagues actively participating and responding enthusiastically to the ideas shared. During the Q&A session, many faculty members exchanged thoughts with Ms. Wang, discussing ways to further enhance the quality and creativity of teaching at the university.

                                                                  Pictured: Associate Professor Jie Wang sharing insights during the presentation

                                                                                             Pictured: An interactive session at the event

Pictured: An interactive session at the event