Review / Self Assessment

 1. What is questionable about the Roman method of memorizing and speaking publicly as a form of learning?

• By prioritizing memorization and speaking publicly as a form of learning, educators may neglect other students who may respond better to other learning styles. Additionally, memorizing and truly absorbing information is different. Students can recite facts without fully understanding them, making memorization only a short-term educational approach. 

2.  How can Dance be an important learning experience for all kids (speakers of other languages, children with special needs, etc)?

• Dance appeals to all students, because of its universal application and messaging. It is a form of self-expression that can facilitate emotional awareness while stimulating creativity, personal development, and diverse learning experiences. 

 3. Why are empathy maps important when developing the curriculum?  

• Empathy maps give educators insight into student thoughts, feelings, emotions, and behaviors in the classroom. With this knowledge teachers can tailor lessons to student preferences, to enrich their learning experiences.

4. What is the importance of the Action Plan when managing behaviors in the classroom/studio?

• The Action Plan is a vital step when managing behaviors because it accounts for all types of situations that may arise within the classroom. Its structure addresses how to reinforce or stop positive and negative behaviors while implementing strategies that help maintain a safe and engaging learning environment.

5. Based on Kenneth Robinson's speech, how can we create a safe and creative learning space for dance?

• Based on Kenneth Robinson's speech, teachers can create a safe and creative learning space for dance by encouraging students to experiment, explore, and take risks. By embracing positive reinforcement, and student’s willingness to try and make errors, he believes dancers can freely and creatively express themselves. 

6. Why should teachers, parents, and students be familiar with the vision and mission statements of educational institutions? 

• Teachers, parents, and students should familiarize themselves with the vision and mission statements of educational institutions to better understand the goals and values that steer a school's actions and direction to achieve future objectives. Ensuring your institution's approach aligns with your ambitions and intentions will allow you to find a more supportive environment that addresses your goals.

7. Read the quotes below and briefly explain the teaching philosophy behind the statements.

• A. This philosophy suggests that the interplay between your mind, body, and feelings is essential to the learning process. Without addressing the needs of all three, students will not have an effective learning experience. 

• B. This philosophy implies that learning is the foundation of everything in life. Learning is a continuous, lifelong process that can take place in and out of the classroom.

• C. This philosophy values the “learning by doing” approach, which encourages students to absorb, understand, and retain information by physically experiencing it, rather than hearing or seeing it in a lecture or lesson.

 8. When designing your ideal studio, which are some of the practical considerations you must understand to make it a successful business?

• Spatial needs, employment needs, location, accessibility, safety features, technology features, and equipment needs are all factors that can contribute to the success of a dance studio.

9. What would be an example of a macro-curriculum in dance and what would be its equivalent as a micro-curriculum in dance?

• Macro-curriculum might cover a broad, high-level topic such as the history of different dance styles. Micro-curriculum would cover a more detailed, specific subject, such as ballet terminology (e.g., plié, tendu, relevé).

 10. After watching the video posted in your Case Study, in terms of education, what is the purpose of The Hancock Center for Creative Arts Therapies?

• The purpose of The Hancock Center for Creative Arts Therapies is to leverage dance as a means for individuals to better express and understand their emotions. Through creative movement, dancers can therapeutically work through personal challenges and promote emotional communication.

11. How can VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies) be of use in the teaching of dance?

• By implementing visual thinking strategies, dancers can enhance their observational skills, think critically about techniques and performances, and articulate feedback, thoughts, and interpretations to further improve their craft.

12. What is the main difference between coaching, mentoring, and teaching? What would be a good balance for an educator?

• The difference between each of these approaches is that teaching involves imparting specific knowledge, coaching accounts for situational adjustment through experience, while mentoring is a form of personal guidance. It's important to underscore the difference between each of these teaching philosophies, so you can select and apply which methodology to use depending on the material, curriculum, and student, to achieve a certain result.

13. When we explored the idea of the Movement Lab in class, what did you conclude as a result of the experience?

• As a result of this experience, I learned it's essential to test and practice your lesson before implementing it in the classroom. This way you can expect and plan for certain reactions, responses, and results preemptively.

14. The kinesthetic loop allows teachers to understand the importance of experiential learning in dance. Explain.

• Kinesthetics involves sensing movement (the physical movement) versus feeling the movement (what the movement evokes in you). The kinesthetic loop is the circular communication between moving parts of the body and the brain; involving the interaction between subjective and objective, and sensing and feeling movement. It is completed in milliseconds and constantly sends messages/feedback to the muscles and the brain, often slipping below consciousness borders. Creative dance tries to heighten our level of awareness of our brain-body connection by paying more attention to our kinesthetics, ultimately helping validate our emotional expressions and sensory knowledge.

15. Most dance schools teach a codified set of moves as the content of dance styles such as ballet, modern dance, tap, and jazz. In which way is the Creative Method a different alternative for all students?

• Creative dance is a free-flowing, improvised movement created by the dancer by paying attention to emotions that feel satisfying and meaningful. This can generate creative, free expression that otherwise may not be achieved through planned choreography.