Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

In this experiential course students will develop an understanding of the movement concepts (action, space, time, force, relationship) which are the framework for making and teaching dance. This course will explore dance as a non-verbal expressive language, and will introduce students to a variety of aspects of dance within the curriculum. Previous dance training is not required.

COURSE DETAILS:

Instruction for the summer term will be conducted remotely online during the above scheduled class time. At the first class your instructor will conduct a needs assessment to determine where students are physically located, their tech options, and what the unique limitations are for each individual now. Teachers may identify the grade levels they plan to teach and possible special interests such as indigenous, land based, K – 3, Secondary specialist, content areas etc.

Note: For Summer 2020, EDUC 330 (Movement Language Elements for Dance in Education) is a combined section class with EDUC 430 (Designs for Learning: Dance).  The grading breakdown and textbook requirements for each class may be different.

EDUC 330 is an introductory experiential movement course where students will learn about and integrate the movement concepts into a way of creating movement sequences as a non-verbal language of expression.

EDUC 430 is a course for students who wish to integrate movement and dance into their teaching as outlined below. Students in both courses will work together. i. e. Educ 330 will be learning about the concepts and Educ 430 will be teaching the concepts.

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All material will be available through the Canvas website and for the most part may be accessed at different times other than regular class time. Class time will vary but unlike class time in the gym, we will not spend 3 – 4 continuous hours online in one setting. I see an advantage to smaller sessions to accommodate all the varying aspects of teaching K – 12 teachers and Educ 330 students who may be new to movement and dance. The online format will allow for one on one, small group, large group as well as separate time with Educ 330 and with Educ 430 and combined times.

All of the assignments will remain the same but will be modified as needed in order to make this a successful experience for students. At this time I am thinking that we will utilize the e portfolio component of Canvas to collect assignments in. This way of collecting material will hopefully facilitate the management of assignments and may stave off future complications concerning grading. I have been highly impressed with the level of tech support available within the Faculty of Education so far to make this work. If you are concerned about maneuvering the tech aspects of working online do rest assured that this exists… yes… even with dance online!

For course content, there are common main ideas that are relevant to both levels of the course (Educ 330 and Educ 430). Namely, the movement elements are introduced in Educ 330 whereas for Educ 430 students they are revisited and taught as possible through video, in small groups or however we decide collectively to do this. Whereas Educ 330 will have the opportunity to explore the movement concepts in greater detail, Educ 430 students will focus on learning new teaching techniques and ideas and collecting and sharing resources for teaching of dance from K – 12.

There are curricular issues that are unique to dance that have previously been addressed mainly through reading presentations. I am rethinking this assignment to involve individual choice for students and possible small online breakout groups instead.

Above all we must strive to be kind and caring to each other and support each other in our learning during this unprecedented time. I may need you to remind me to turn on my microphone whereas you may need me to be flexible towards individual learning circumstances. For example, you may be asked to demonstrate your understanding of the movement concept of levels (high, medium and low) using your 5 yr old and 7 yr old or your grandma and grandpa or your favourite stuffy or Lego characters! We will think creatively about how to meet our learning outcomes. We will adapt and hopefully turn the unexpectedness of our time together into an enjoyable, memorable adventure and exploration of dance and movement education. Your instructor is an experienced dance educator who looks forward to dancing through our curriculum online… and to meeting each one of you and working together.

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

RECOMMENDED READING: