Monday 14th March 2010
So, I was thinking more about my topic and thought I was in on an idea of processes of teaching dance/choreography. I spoke to the Principal of one of the schools I teach at and she said she thought I had a very good method of teaching my dances. As complimentary as this was, it wasn't constructive. Yet, it made me doubt my idea as I wanted it to be useful. After reading a blog where they had asked "outsider" opinions, i.e. family members what they thought. I gave this a try as it would give a different and objective view of the situation.
One idea put across to me was to look at forms of communication in terms of teaching. They also said my first idea was fine and that no one's perfect; there are always areas in which one can improve. I agreed with this and since no one has ever taught me to choreograph and I've never thoroughly researched it; there is bound to be much more I can improve on in the area. I argued it had to be of use and beneficial to someone or something.
I spoke to another impartial family member, who suggested collecting different styles of choreography from different countries and try to replicate their way of teaching dance. Obviously this would require a budget if I were to research this in the flesh.
After all this, again I felt somewhat overwhelmed by all the different directions I could take. So I took a step back and made some points clear of what I wanted to take from this research.
1. something that interests and excites me.
2. something to benefit my career
Answers
1. I love choreographing but I need this to be education related to go on to a PGCE
Teaching
-inspiration
-communication
-accuracy
-performance
-tools
-efficiency
-processes
-choreography
-styles
-techniques
Out of these the ones that interest me are performance, styles, accuracy and efficiency
To find the best methods for teaching and teaching choreography I could look at
-talking to and researching different choreographers
-finding how students think they learn best
-finding out how professionals learn a routine best
-their opinions
-trying different techniques and methods on classes I teach
It would benefit
-myself as a choreographer/teacher
-the success rate of students I teach
-the school if the students succeed/improve
I am looking forward to exploring some of these ideas further and narrowing it down to just a couple to concentrate on.
