DANCE TEACHER : Jade , Age
: 23
Do younger, newly qualified teachers have a better
understanding of a student’s emotions and feelings as they have recently
transitioned through this period in their own lives ? and does this allow them
to build more productive relationships with students ? On one hand I believe this to be true, as newly qualified teachers might have experienced similar emotions and situations that the other students may be going through and therefore can share personal experiences and give feedback/ways of motivating the students and understanding what they are going through, however I also feel some students may see the newly qualified teacher to be more of one of them rather than someone they look up to and listen too. I feel it’s all about boundries .The students should be able to confide in teacher, however not to think they are a friend like they would have a school. They should still show respect.
Does being an experienced teacher and parent affect expectations placed on older students/teenagers ?
Personally I feel this could have an effect on students as experienced teachers may have high expectations and therefore making students feel under pressure to perform well. However, I also feel more experienced teachers/parents might have more knowledge of how to get the best out of a student and therefore having these high expectations may affect the students. On the other hand I have also experienced some experienced teachers/parents to loose interest in teacher and do it because they always have rather than because they want to help their students to achieve, therefore this could have a negative effect on their students causing them to loose interest in dance. I also believe values and beliefs play a role in this question. For example an experienced teacher may believe that all students should look up to them and respect them and work at a high level at all times, which could cause the students to feel under pressure, however I also think this depends on the student as some student like to be pushed to the best of their ability where as other can’t handle the pressure.
Do peers affect the level of engagement on students within a lesson ? and would a philosophy of teamwork integrated into lessons provide them with security and promote positive and effective learning ?
I feel this could differ depending on the age/gender of the students. For example during teenage age groups, they are finding out who they are and where they fit in within the dance class, at school and at home. Thinking they are young adults and should be able to have a say in what they do. Therefore some students could intimidate others because they think they are better than the other person. Also friendship groups start to form and could cause arguments because not everyone will agree with each other.
What strategies can a dance teacher bring to the lesson to build confidence and develop performance skills in teenagers and young adults ?
I think teachers should look at the students as individuals and understand what their strengths & weakness are. For example you could give them feedback within a sandwich......your arms where really nice on that turn but remember you have to spot to help the turn, but well done on holding the ending. I also think peer observation is good as sometimes students see things on each other that teachers may miss because they are thinking technical. Other ways could be asking student to demonstrate something they have done well, however if they students are self-conscious then could you ask a few people who have done something well to demonstrate. Another way could be getting an older student to come in and demonstrate. This also might give the younger students motivation and confidence to think they will be able to achieve that if they try it.
Can a more informal teaching approach towards teenagers/young adults assist in providing effective results in relation to their learning and achievements ?
Personally I feel this depends on the type of students in your lesson. for example some student like this style of teaching, a more informal/instructor kind of way, where they just come to learn and thrive off being pushed and motivated to do well, however some students like a more of a facilitating way of teaching where they feel they can give their own opinions on things and have a say in what they do/want to learn.
