Thursday, 28 March 2013

Literature Review - The Art of Dance in Education

 The Art of Dance in Education - Smith-Autard, J (1997)

Having analysed my survey results and made plans for a workshop intervention, using DVD clips and Video feedback, I wanted to find further evidence of these resources being effective in dance training. I found a book called 'The Art of Dance in Education'. Chapter a theoretical basis (resource based-teaching) explains the use of viewing, observing and evaluating professional dance works as beneficial to students learning".

Jacqueline M.Smith-Autard put resources into categories. The midway art of dance model demands a resource-based teaching methodology as the most important approach.  Jacqueline M.Smith-Autard agrees that students should be encouraged to view their own work for self reflection " Observing, describing, analysing and evaluating all the aspects involved in creating and performing (such viewing by students of their own and professional choreography should take place throughout dance education)". (1997:31) However she goes on to discuss that these resources should be used appropriately and as a part of learning, not to replace practical tasks. 

"Many viewing tasks need to be integrated with performing tasks.... as with music, simplified adaptations of parts of dance works taught to students might prove to be a helpful way of 'getting inside' them through learning and performing them". (1997:42)

Jacqueline M.Smith-Autard also suggests a number of structured tools to use to support learning during the video feedback section of the lesson. " Methods can include use of teacher prepared questions (which may be presented in discussion or on work cards), requiring students to observe, make comparisons, describe, interpret and make evaluative comment on what they see. A multiple-choice type of question on a work card could offer a range of possible words to describe the qualities in a phrase of movements. (1997:40). 

"Resource-based teaching will work well if the resources selected are appropriate to the objectives of the lessons/lectures, rich in artistic, aesthetic and cultural features and used in balance with other activities within a total programme" (1997:38)

I therefore plan to use technology as a small part of my workshop (DVD clip / observation as a starter activity at the beginning of the workshop, and Video Feedback for student self evaluation as a mini plenary towards the end of the lesson, leaving enough time however for students to then make improvement (through further rehearsal, applying their own targets set during the evaluation process).

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