Bringing the Practical into Practice: Developing Practical Teaching Aids for Dyslexic Dance Students
Nanette Kincaid, Associate Lecturer, Department of Dance, University of Chichester
Disciplines: Dance
Status: Current
Start date: 1/11/2008
With increased awareness being placed on Learning Difficulties within HE, this research aims to develop practical learning aids for use within the dance class. The acknowledged problems associated with learning difficulties in academic classes are widely researched and catered for. However, even understanding that dyslexia has an impact on co-ordination, proprioception, processing, sequencing and directional ability, to name a few problems, in practical terms it is for the most part not widely considered.
Following on from the PALATINE-funded research undertaken by Colin Bourne (2004), this project aims to trial practical learning aids and monitor if there can be a greater ease in learning for the student, while at the same time supporting tutors in HE. The practical aids include a newly developed Floor Map, a Visual Scribe, a Reference Guide DVD and a Personal Learning Profile. The outcomes will be used to enhance and support the department’s ongoing commitment to addressing the learning needs and increase the potential of the dyslexic student.
As well as recognising the changing roles and responsibilities that teachers in HE face on a daily basis, staff will be supported by awareness raising sessions, to help develop pedagogical ideas with current information and ideas, offering a dynamic approach which can co-exist and enhance the work already undertaken within the dance department.
It is hoped that the results will take their final tangible form in an Information Pack, which will be the prototype for part of the standard enrolment package for dyslexic dance students. The dissemination of information on a wider scale could be shared by a conference and lecture demonstrations at the end of the academic year with all dance colleagues from universities and vocational training, as well as from other related fields that may benefit from these findings.
The research aims to enhance the student’s life-long learning capabilities and potential, but also to make an impact on the tutor’s development of their own personal pedagogic approach. This will enable teachers in HE to feel more in control of their own practice, whilst at the same time developing practical learning aids and strategies, giving greater support to both student and tutor. It is hoped that the final outcome will demonstrate wide implications not only for dance departments in HE but for teaching and learning as a whole.
This project builds on previous work funded by the JISC TechDis HEAT Scheme and the following article reflects on this work:
The Visual Scribe; podcasting for dance students with dyslexia
Practical Information Pack for Dance: Ideas and Strategies to Use in the Dance Class
The project is complete and the resource pack is available. PALATINE has a limited number of copies to supply within UK higher education on completion of the order form (limited to one copy per HEI).