COVID-19 challenges: how ICT successfully allowed adaptation of Drama in Education experiential method during PhD research

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic outburst in March 2020 caused unexpected changes in the means, ways, methods that teaching, training, and learning usually take place. Teachers and educators around the globe gradually turned towards remote teaching methods taking advantage of the latest innovations in ICT and widely recognized internet platforms to meet those emerging needs; however, this shift provoked unforeseen and previously unmet challenges, especially in the cases of theater and drama, known until then as totally experiential and face-to-face facilitated. The current article focuses on the changes that were intentionally adopted concerning adaptation of methods and applications during a PhD research based on Drama in Education, that allowed effective remote intervention and successful continuation of the research. Appropriate career theories and the adaptability of DiE method helped the researchers to remain open-minded, flexible, and proactive, follow emerging unknown paths, and develop their coping, digital, research management, and professional skills. Keywords: Drama in Education, COVID-19 pandemic, professional development, career coping skills, adaptation of methodology