I have begun data collection for my module 3 inquiry, and it has also been exciting to follow along everyone's unique journey via blog posts. Lots of packing data, sorting, and unpacking it at the same time!
My inquiry is looking at various assessment methods used in dance technique courses in high school programs across the U.S. What are the common themes? What are the differences? What is working? What continues to be a challenge? I have invited eight program directors around the country to chat with me individually, and was nervous to see if I would get any responses at all. I have heard back from two who are willing to participate and do an interview! I am relieved and excited to begin. One silver lining to come out of this COVID era is that strangers from far far away are able to (and seemingly more willing go) connect in the name of dance and the arts in this virtual platform.
Iris's blog post about joy also made me think about the purpose of all of this. Why do we do what we do? What's the point of continuing to teach dance to students, when I have no idea there will be sure careers for them in a post-COVID world? But it has made me return to the realization of the importance of dance beyond just learning the steps; the life lessons it teaches us, the ability for us to connect with our bodies and one another (even virtually), and re-affirmed the notion that dancers/artists are resilient, creative, and can overcome any obstacle to continue our practice and find/spread joy. This is why I became keen and interested in dance assessments to start with; are we assessing the right things in our budding professionals? Should we grade a dancer on their turn out, or their creative qualities? How do we grade creativity? I look forward to picking the brains of fellow dance educators and administrators beyond my bubble...
It's exciting to begin isn't it. There are some big questions you've set yourself and really important in today's world not just because of covid but also because of the devaluing of art and creativity in education – I’m looking forward to hearing more!
ReplyDeleteSimon, these are great questions, that have made me think too. My project similarly explores the aesthetic nature of grading. This week during my data collection I found the joy you have discussed in your blog, a joy I can be honest I had forgotten existed as we can become wrapped up in seeing and perfecting, rather than feeling and experiencing. I can't wait to hear about your interviews, I'm sure they will be very educating and interesting. Do you think we should inspire our dancers to experience, find and spread joy, or as dancers focus on finding joy and creativity?
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hearing more.
Hi Jessica - That's a great question. I think we should teach our dancers how to experience/find joy within ourselves through dance, in order to authentically spread it to audiences and communities. I think the external expression of joy will come as a natural result of internalization and learning ourselves. Interesting thought!
DeleteI too look forward to hearing more about your research!
Hi Simon and Jessica- I would be interested to read about your intention for dancers to experience joy within themselves when they are being assessed. Do they learn the grading in an exam or is it an organic approach that is going on throughout the year, where you engage with your students with clear guidelines on how they are performing and letting them be aware of their learning rather than a grade at the end of term / year with no opportunity to appeal on th grade? I grew up in the RAD grading system and employ the ongoing assessment grading of my students with Rubrix and offer transparency to allow the students to understand that there is no perfection required, and that each student is uniquely different and help them play to their strengths and find ways to solve problems together through research and experimental choreography, group works, peer participation and feedback in a safe informal way to help them understand the learning and to start to learn to see themselves in a more confident way as opposed to a deeply critical way.
ReplyDeleteBest Linda