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Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado
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Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Mar 26, 2015

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Page 1: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions

Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor EmeritusUniversity of Northern Colorado

Page 2: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

We can alter common perceptions of dance by . . .

Changing how the public thinks about dance & its benefits

Altering the image that the public has of dance

Page 3: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

First who or what is the public?

Teachers School administrators Parents Politicians People in general

Page 4: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Many think that dance is:

Just for having fun For being sexy or sensual For women & little girls For learning steps & tricks Or that dance is just ballet, tap &

hip hop

Page 5: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Other ways to change the perception of dance . . .

Because dance can . . .

Exercise the brain Be used to solve problems Discover one’s self Be a tool in non-verbal communication Contribute to interdisciplinary teaching Bridge the gender divide in education Be combined with technology

Page 6: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Dance can exercise the brain by . . .

Simply moving brings an increased blood flow to the brain.

Moving also involves lower brain centers like the cerebellum.

Page 7: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

In technique class dance exercises the brain . . .

Because students learn to Focus Observe Recognize patterns Remember And develop body awareness

Page 8: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Dancing also activates the brain during improvisation.

This leads to . . .

Greater versatility Quick decision making And interpersonal spatial

awareness

Page 9: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

And in dance composition class students exercise the brain by. . .

Giving order to their movements

Forming movement patterns

Making movement choices

Thinking abstractly to create movement

Synthesizing by combing movements together in dances

Becoming socially aware when creating group dances

Reflecting on & discussing their dances

Page 10: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Creating dances also increases students’ . . .

Problem-solving abilities - When a dance is created a problem is solved.

Imagination - Students have to visualize how parts of a dance will look ahead of time.

Creativity - When students create dances they learn about creative process & become more confident with this process.

Self-esteem & satisfaction - Students gain feelings of accomplishment when they create a dance.

Page 11: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Research connecting creative thinking & dance . . .

Ludwig, 1971 Heausler, 1987 Zhao, 1989 Jay, 1995 Mentzer & Boswell,

1995

Elliott, 1997 Kim, 1998 Cote-Laurence, 1998 Minton, 2003 Minton, 2007

Full references are available upon request.

Page 12: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Research connecting self-esteem & dance . . .

Alves-Masters, 1979 Riley, 1984 Kamal & Blais, 1995 Stinson, 1993 Koff, 1996 Minton, 2001 Minton, 2007

Full references are available upon request.

Page 13: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Another point about connecting creativity & self-esteem . . .

Dance classes which included creative work also had a somewhat greater effect on student self-esteem.

This was especially true for social self-esteem (Minton, 2001).

Full reference available upon request.

Page 14: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Why is teaching creative problem-solving important?

Such skills will be needed in the 21st Century because . . .

For the US to maintain a competitive edge, corporations will need employees who are communicators and problem-solvers -- Richard Gurin, former director Binney & Smith, 1995

Page 15: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Dance is nonverbal communication too because . . .

It communicates about the customs & culture of a country

Transcends differences in language & politics

Conveys feelings & emotions

Page 16: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Dance can also be used in interdisciplinary learning . . .

Because it relates to educationaltheories such as . . .

Active Learning - doing, participating Zone of Proximal Development - age appropriate Learning styles - visual, auditory, kinesthetic Multiple Intelligences - verbal, spatial, musical Cooperative Learning - working in groups Brain-Based Learning - forming patterns,

challenging but not threatening, engaging

Page 17: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

But dance used as a tool in interdisciplinary learning . . .

Does not demean dance because

The beginnings of the creative process are the same in both cases.

Acquaints students with dance

Page 18: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Dance bridges gender divide by appealing to differences such as . . .

Girls

Respond in more complex way

Verbal communication Specific to general Feeling oriented Better readers Cooperative learners

Boys

Enjoy problem-solving Spatial abilities -

maps General to specific Fidgety Better at math Competitive play

Page 19: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Dance & technology can be used to . . .

Extend the realm of dance making

Teach on-line classes

Increase interest in dance

Page 20: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Technology & dance making

Computer generated backgrounds projected on cyc

Computer generated dancer figures used to create movements & dances

Dance performers in diverse locations connected via the internet

Technology worn by dancers that transforms movement into sounds, lighting changes or other visual effects

Page 21: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Teaching on-line classes . . .

Different approaches

Face-to-face & on-line Video & on-line Totally on-line

Page 22: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Examples of on-line classes using . . .

Create movement with computer-generated figures -

Iris Garland, Canada

Learn composition through on-line theory plus videos - Wendy Schiller, Australia

Study dance appreciation using many interactive devices - Barbara Hernandez, US

Study interdisciplinary teaching using on-line photos & text – Sandra Minton, US

Page 23: Changing the Public Perception of Dance in Education: Some Ideas & Suggestions Sandra Minton, Ph. D. Professor Emeritus University of Northern Colorado.

Strategies for the future . . .

Presenting dance classes based on best practices

Publishing how to articles & research, especially in journals outside the field

Networking with legislators, teachers, administrators, parents, departments of education, those in other arts

Presenting workshops, particularly those for teachers & others outside the field