�鶹��Ƶֱ��

This course introduces novice dance education researchers and “research curious” dance educators and students to the goals, logics, and practices of social science-based dance education research. We will begin by situating educational research within the broader landscapes of cultural knowledge production and academic research. We will develop research literacy by reading research methodology texts and analyzing examples of dance education research. Along the way, students will discuss and identify areas of curiosity in their professional and personal dance practices and propose possible research designs to address those curiosities. This course is appropriate for students and educators who might not see themselves conducting research, but are interested in reading and understanding research. It is appropriate for novice researchers who are interested in conducting research and are seeking to expand their formal education in research methods. It is also appropriate for more seasoned researchers who are interested in reinvesting in the basics of research in order to reinvigorate their practice. Overarching the activities of the course is a goal to build the community of knowledgeable dance education research consumers and producers who advocate for the diverse roles dance education can play across the lifespan and communities.

How do OPDI Online Courses for dance teachers work?

Our “online” courses are guided by a professor and include a co-hort of students (other dance teachers) with whom you will collaborate. They also include graded assignments, feedback, final grades, and Professional Development Credits (PDCs). Our OPDI online courses require on average between 6 to 8 hours of work each week, but it all depends on your learning style. It could be less or could be more. You can also register as an Audit student and do as much or as little work as you want and will not receive a grade.

We utilize the Sakai online learning platform to deliver the course materials and instruction. Our courses are asynchronous, so there are no required meeting dates or times but we do have a Course Start and Course End date; however, our courses offer at least 2 optional live Q&A-Feedback zoom sessions during the course to enhance opportunities for connection with other students and the professor. Every week of the course there are assignments that you will need to complete with due dates listed in the course outline / syllabus.

Assignments can be done at any time during the week prior to the due date and may include reading, watching videos, posting answers to prompts on a discussion board, writing an essay, reading and responding to other students' posts on the discussion board, taking a cell phone video of yourself completing a particular movement, taking a quiz, or completing a final project. The professor provides written feedback and grades and you get to connect with other students (who are actually dance teachers) via our discussion board and the optional live Q&A feedback sessions.