Dance education is a constantly evolving field, with new teaching styles and techniques emerging all the time. As dance school owners, it’s important to keep up to date with these changes in order to provide the best possible education to your students. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the new teaching styles and techniques that are redefining dance education today.
Holistic teaching is a teaching style that considers the whole person, not just their physical abilities. This means taking into account students’ emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs alongside their physical development. In dance, this can mean teaching students about the history and culture of dance, as well as how to improve their technique.
One way to incorporate holistic teaching into your dance school is to offer workshops or classes that focus on the history of dance. This can help students understand the cultural significance of different dance styles and gain a deeper appreciation for the art form. You could also encourage students to explore different styles of dance, such as contemporary or jazz, as a way to broaden their horizons and develop their creativity.
Collaborative teaching is a teaching style that involves working with other teachers or professionals to create a more dynamic and effective learning environment. In dance, this could mean bringing in guest teachers or choreographers to work with your students, or collaborating with other dance schools to create performance opportunities.
Collaborative teaching can be particularly effective in helping students develop their own unique style and voice as dancers. By exposing them to different teaching styles and techniques, they can learn to be more adaptable and versatile dancers. It also helps to create a sense of community within your dance school and among the wider dance community.
Technology has revolutionized the way we teach and learn, and dance education is no exception. There are now a range of tools and technologies available that can be used to enhance dance education, from video tutorials and online classes, to virtual reality and motion capture.
One of the most popular technology-based teaching tools is video tutorials. These can be used to supplement in-person classes, or as a way to offer remote learning opportunities. Many dance schools are now creating their own video tutorials, either to sell as a product or to offer as a value-add to their existing students.
Virtual reality is another technology that is being used in dance education. This technology allows students to experience dance in a fully immersive and interactive way, which can be particularly effective for teaching complex choreography or for helping students understand how their body moves.
Mindfulness-based teaching is a teaching style that incorporates mindfulness practices, such as meditation and breathing exercises, into the learning experience. In dance, this can help students develop a deeper awareness of their body and movement, as well as help them stay focused and calm during performances.
One way to incorporate mindfulness-based teaching into your dance school is to offer classes or workshops that focus specifically on mindfulness practices. You could also incorporate mindfulness exercises into your existing classes, such as taking a few minutes at the beginning or end of class to focus on breathing and relaxation.
Inclusive teaching is a teaching style that focuses on creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students, regardless of their background or abilities. In dance, this can mean offering classes that cater to a range of ages and skill levels, as well as offering classes that are adapted for students with disabilities or special needs.
Inclusive teaching requires a willingness to be flexible and adaptable, as well as a commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment. This might mean investing in specialized equipment or hiring teachers with experience working with students with disabilities.
Dance education is a constantly evolving field, and as dance school owners, it’s important to stay up to date with new teaching styles and techniques. By incorporating holistic teaching, collaborative teaching, technology-based teaching, mindfulness-based teaching and inclusive teaching into your dance school, you can create a dynamic and effective learning environment that sets your students up for success.
