In this paper presentation, I discuss how a variation of possible strategies to participate in a collective process through drama can contribute to equity in education. Point of departure is the argument that the variation of possible strategies can open up for different ways of learning concerning one and same learning object. It is based an empirical study about learning in and through drama when it constitutes a part of Swedish compulsory school education (Rosén, forthcoming). In the paper presentation, data from my empirical study is put in dialogue with Wahlström’s (2014) wide definition of equity that includes instrumental values, intrinsic values and positional values. A description of this definition will be provided in the presentation.
The issue is motivated by the current debate in Europe about equity in education and its emphasis on individual achievements and standardized results. The focus on such achievements can be related to instrumental values (Wahlström, 2014). This implies a delimited signification of what both knowledge and equity is about. It does for example, not include educational activities providing a variation of possibilities to participate and to learn, regardless of pupil’s preconditions. Nor it includes that a collective learning process can contribute for a widening of understanding or lead to creation of new knowledge that is not presupposed.
Questions for discussion in the presentation are: Is Wahlström’s wide definition useful for understanding of how drama can contribute to equity in education? What may this definition not capture concerning learning in and though drama?