First technique session with Jess

Research Questions

·     

What additional learning support do disabled dancers require in order to have a successful career in dance?

·       Where can disabled dancers best access appropriate Higher Education dance training?

·    How can taking a person centered approach to teaching and learning improve dance training in Higher Education, and ensure inclusivity for students with disabilities and other additional needs?

·   Will the development of a more humanist approach to the teaching of contemporary dance technique, enhance the learning experience for all students including those with disabilities?

·       How can the role of the Learning Support Assistant (LSA) in Higher Education be further developed into a more formal role with clear roles and responsibilities for dancers of all abilities?


If

Project Aims

So I have finally pinned down what it is I'm trying to do! Please have a look, your feedback would be most welcome :)

My overarching aim is to;

Through my project I want to research and develop a model of best practice, to improve the admission process for disabled dancers accessing professional dance training within a University establishment.

The aims of my project are to:

·       Critically evaluate and reflect upon professional dance training in Higher Education and explore how it can be adapted to make it more accessible for disabled students.

·       To critically analyse the traditional hierarchal structure within contemporary dance technique, as compared with the modern humanistic approach to teaching contemporary technique for inclusive dance.

·       To critically examine with reference to the literature, how professional dance training can become more inclusive to allow disabled dancers access.

·       To establish a weekly inclusive technique class that will allow me to investigate my theoretical research practically recording the process through observations and reflections of all involved as well as video footage and photographs.

Negotiated Proposal

Before the end of this academic year I have to complete a project that I have negotiated with my supervisor.
I decided the three things I need to focus on are mapping the field i.e. finding out what is already out there, working practically and finding out what students think.

So this is my Negotiated Project;

1. To deliver a 20 minute opening session as an example of my approach to preparing students to make adaptions during technique classes. This would enable disabled students to be better prepared for the process of adaption in normal technique class. It would also be beneficial for non-disabled students who may find themselves injured, teaching disabled students or just as a more somatic approach to technique that could encourage students to embrace inclusivity and responsibility for their learning.

To frame my research I will submit a written reflection of this, including my aims and objectives and how this relates to my research project and specific research questions. 

2. Development of a student questionnaire with the aim to create an 'individual learning agreement' for each student.

I will submit a reflective and analytical written report on my findings of this process highlighting the key issues and outcomes.

3. Task - Mapping the field, I will arrange a visit to both Coventry and Edge Hill Universities to gain an understanding of other HE dance courses. Coventry has a history of disabled dance students, Edge Hill does not.

I will submit a report based on my findings, this report will place the discussion and analysis of key issues in the context of my research project and questions.

I have changed no1 slightly since I submitted this and I am now working with the wonderful Jess McMunn to deliver a weekly technique class where we can work together to experiment with different teaching methods and styles that we hope will create a more inclusive class.

So what is this all about?

So I am in my first year of my Masters in Research Dance and have decided that the best place to record all of my research, plans and general ramblings would be in here!

A little about me...

I am a dance practitioner based in Plymouth with a real passion for inclusive dance. As well as possessing a theoretical understanding of inclusive dance, I have lots of practical experience through working with CandoCo Dance Company, Adam Benjamin, Sue Smith, Caroline Bowditch and Marc Brew, StopGap, WheelFever and Strictly Collaborative. Through my research I hope to deepen and expand my practical and theoretical knowledge and to put it into practice.