This is an interactive, multimedia experience site designed by ArtsEdge at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts that is designed to simulate the experience of young dancer who has just become a member of the Martha Graham Dance Company. The dancer has to prepare for roles in four dances and consider much in the process. The information is presented through notebooks, video clips, letters, musical programs, and sounds. The user explorers these materials by selecting items at will from the dancer's locker. Investigating the materials leads to a better understanding of dance, dance education, and how a dance becomes a performance.
Type of Material:
Simulation/Case Study
Recommended Uses:
The site can be used as an introduction, investigation and/or for sharing the subject of dance. There are K-12 National Standards specifically for dance and the subject content here helps to anchor the rationales of the standards as well a provide a range of examples for students and educators who use dance or want to integrate it within the curriculum.
It would be useful for fine arts classes, fine arts methods classes, literature classes and women's studies classes.
Technical Requirements:
Internet access; Flash 7
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The intended goals of this site are to 1. acquaint users with the work of Martha Graham, 2. identify the complexity of dance presentation, 3. simulate the process of preparing for a dance role, and 4. identify the elements of a dance arts presentation.
Target Student Population:
Middle school through university level fine arts and fine arts methods classes; women's studies classes, literature classes
The supplemental lesson plans were developed for high school classes.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Ability to use Flash
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The content in this site addresses a range of considerations such as planning, preparing, practicing, and performing when regarding the development and the performance of a dance, particularly through the eyes and experiences of one of the dancers. The material presented offers many different aspects and key concepts for skill development in dance. The user of this site discovers and investigates the information as it is selected. The site uses a guided discovery model.
The site uses technology well to immerse the user in the life of a fictitious member of the Martha Graham troupe. It develops four of Graham's dances from a variety of perspectives including preparation, music, costuming, and technique. There is much additional information available on the Arts Edge website (http://www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org/) including material for use in other disciplines such as language arts and literature classes.
Concerns:
None.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The multiple choices for investigating the information and then synthesizing the findings are a strength. The use of critical and creative thinking skill and reflection can be put to good use with this site. The use of audio, video, written notes, and the established scenario for the young dancer offer a variety of ways to anchor and/or integrate the site into a lesson. The interactive scenario also provides a springboard for further research, study, and investigation into the discipline of dance and dance performances.
The site is compelling. It allows a user to go into the mind and situation of a dancer in a way that is multi-faceted. The notes, for example, that the fictitious dancer makes for each of the programs lead students into critical thinking about the dance and the context for the dance.
Concerns:
The scenario features a young female dancer. It would be great to have a second scenario for a male dancer.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
If Flash 7 is installed, the site is very easy to use and explore. As you move the cursor over items they move and/or change color to signal they are available for further investigation. You can turn the audio on or off on each page and there is a "back to journal" button on each page so you do not get lost.
Concerns:
There is a lot of material and it is easy to get "lost" in it.
Creative Commons:
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