Reflection 4.1 - Images

Photo obtained from pexels.com 

#ShakeItLikeAPolaroidPicture (Outcast, 2003)

I think there is great value in having a visual stimulus for the classroom. My teaching areas are drama and dance. I ALWAYS tend to sway towards drama - but I think that this in particular is relevant to dance.

There are so many domains to find (creative common approved) images on the web. I really enjoyed this first section of topic four, although overwhelming because I feel like there are so many resources, I think it's definitely something that could be explored further.

True to the age old adage 'a picture speaks a thousand words' (not referenced because no one can agree on who said this first) when working through history and cultures, they can be a great discussion starter to spark an interest. If I was using this in my classroom to support my learning area,  I would use it during a 'contemporary' topic.

Instead of students just reading about history - I would show a photo stimulus (SUBSTITUTION)

Credit: http://world4.eu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/italian_national_costume-002.jpg

Have students discuss and research further all of their questions. Maybe within discussion someone in the class has family history and can share on their experience in terms of emotion/history. Once students have researched their own question, have them explain to the class with a quick 'one minute topic'.

Have students now find examples of this traditional dance on the internet - YouTube clips, photos (that they're allowed to use), music/audio - any documentaries or newspaper articles. Link and embedded these into their personal blogs to share with our class. Quite often choreographers are more than happy to help, linking through their blogs it would be great for students to build their networks and ask a professional choreographer what key elements they would use in a national dance. (AUGMENTATION)

I would like to use my an infographic here for MODIFICATION. I think this would be an awesome visual way for students to present the information they have gathered. Having Italy on the brain - they would start with a map and break into sections, then add in extra facts/anything they think is important.

Now using everything they have learnt - sparked from our initial stimulus, I would like students to choreograph their own one minute piece to music they have found that best suits the stimulus image. (REDEFINITION)

I love this concept because it is so learner driven, and then end result could differ depending on their personal interpretation - provided there is justification, this is amazing and will result in a wide range of styles for an end product. 

Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org

In regards to a learner generated image, I think it would be really great for them, following the above model to have to stage a photo that they think is an accurate reflection of their piece. They could pretend they were going to promote their piece and have to 'show it in a snapshot'.

We could have so much fun with this in the classroom - who knew dance could be more than just pointed toes and Grand Jetes!