Reflective practice and feedback – empowering university students’ teaching of dance in UK state schools

ABSTRACT

A mixed methods approach for gathering data was adopted to report Level 5, 2^nd (N = 34; F27, M7) and Level 6, 3^rd (N = 29; M5, F24) year University students’ (N = 63) reflections of dance practice at Leeds Beckett University in the north of England. Five research instruments were utilised to gather data: questionnaires (including both open and closed questions), semi-structured interviews, reflective logs, pictorial evidence and observations. Reflections from practising primary (N = 9; F7, M2) and secondary (N = 8; M1, F7) teachers and their young people (N = 904, 5 to 18-year olds) also informed the students’ practice. The students’ production of original dance teaching resources (N = 17) delivered at the University based professional development days, attended by delegates (N = 121) from across the UK, served to qualify the suitability of the teaching and resources. The collaboratively created resources are highlighted as beneficial to enhance learning, teaching, self-efficacy, resilience and employability. The main aim and question therefore being realised, how to support and enhance the learning and teaching of dance in UK schools.

KEYWORDS:

• Dance
• learning
• teaching
• feedback/forward
• reflection collaboration

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John Connell

John Connell completed his Dance BEd Honours Degree at Worcester College of Higher Education in 1986. John was Head of Dance and Second in Charge of Performing Arts at the then prestigious Intake High School in Leeds for 18 years. Whilst working in school John attained his Master’s Degree in Education and then his PhD researching the practice of Dance teaching in schools. He led the Dance PGCE and was the Professional Studies Coordinator at Middlesex University prior to his appointment to the University of Birmingham and then Leeds Beckett University. John, in his retirement, continues to develop movement possibilities for young people as well as possessing a particular interest in supporting his wife and those with and without Parkinson’s.