Using High-tech Approaches

Jiang has been exploring ways to better guide younger generations as they learn about Peking opera, especially those who were born in the 1990s and the 2000s.

She suggests using modern, high-tech approaches, including VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality) technologies, to help develop students' interest in Chinese opera, and to bring new vitality to the traditional art form.

In recent years, the Beijing Municipal Education Commission has encouraged college and university instructors, and various social forces, to work together to promote the development of sports and art education in primary schools.

As a result, some students have developed a great interest in Chinese opera. However, it remains to be seen if the students will persist in learning opera.

China issued the Opinions on Operas Education on Campus in 2017. That document stipulates students should have access to opera education in basically all schools by 2020. How will opera be part of children's life? Jiang says VR and AR technologies provide a good opportunity to allow more children to have access to Chinese opera.

"We can combine opera education with VR and AR technologies to produce interesting and helpful VR and AR products. For example, we can design Peking-opera- themed VR and AR games. Users can change the clothes and/or change the roles of various cartoon figures of Peking opera during the games. With the guidance of teachers, children will obtain more knowledge about Peking opera through playing such games," Jiang says.

"The games can also include training courses on Peking opera, Peking opera performances and the historical stories behind the performances. Such games may ignite children's curiosity and thirst for knowledge and encourage children who have a talent for learning Peking opera to receive further professional training on Peking opera," Jiang adds.

She also suggests using VR and AR technologies to expand and innovate the traditional ways of teaching Peking opera. "Based on the traditional teaching materials, we can take advantage of the modern technologies to establish a supplementary data base. Students can use mobile devices, including mobile phones and tablets, to scan QR codes to access audio and video material and documents at any time. Thus, students can learn in a more efficient, precise and flexible way," Jiang says.

"We must innovate the ways of promoting Peking opera, according to the characteristics of younger generations, and we should touch their hearts by means of unique artistic expressions and favorable publicity methods," Jiang concludes.

(Women of China English Monthly August 2019 issue)