This question stems from my interest in STEAM education. It is rather profound and interesting how this approach is integrated into various curricula (there are also statements that the paradigm shift is towards STEAM education).
I am currently thinking of integrating principles of dance and science education. Although I have years of training in dance, I am not quite knowledgeable about pedagogical approaches used in dance education.; it's different when I was a student, but now I want to be a dance teacher. Anecdotally, observation, mimicking, and reading and interpreting dance literature and is how we usually learn the dances. However, I do not fully know what pedagogical approaches are used in dance education (in a similar manner that problem-based learning and inquiry-based learning are utilized in science education). I read through various studies that employ multimedia-based learning, group activities, solo performances, and other approaches that allow learners to perform what they learn.
May I know if there are specific pedagogical approaches that are focused on dance education? It will be of great help! Thank you!
Dance education employs creative/exploratory, technique-based, and somatic approaches to foster artistic expression, physical mastery, and body awareness. These methods balance structured movement training with opportunities for improvisation and personal interpretation.
Dance education is based on artistic expression, aesthetic awareness, as well as physical and cognitive flexibility. Pedagogical sciences illuminate the foggy path of teaching, offering various methods and techniques to turn lessons into educational creations. Dancing, like any other type of art, can be considered and read as a text, which contains historical, psychological, and socio-cultural messages. Students must understand the artistic and historical layers of dances, and their anthropological importance. A value-based teaching, which focuses on the ethical and epistemological aspects of the subject, can be useful. Other techniques that may be applied in dance education are creative imagination, differentiated instruction, challenge-based learning, as well as individual and collective trainings. A competent dance teacher should not only focus on the physical plasticity and preparation of students, but also on the existential essence of dances. The philosophy of dancing, which highlights its existential content on the human condition, transforms it from a creative expression to ontological exploration.
Dance education employs a variety of pedagogical approaches tailored to develop both the technical skills and creative expression of students. One common approach is the constructivist method, which encourages learners to actively construct knowledge through movement exploration and personal interpretation. This fosters deeper engagement and helps students connect dance concepts to their own experiences. Educators often use this alongside experiential learning, where students learn by doing—participating in improvisation, choreography, and performance activities that build confidence and physical awareness.
Another key approach is the progressive skill-building method, which structures lessons to gradually increase in complexity. This scaffolding technique ensures that students master foundational techniques before advancing to more challenging movements and styles. It also incorporates repetition and practice to develop muscle memory and precision. Along with this, somatic education principles are integrated to enhance body awareness, alignment, and injury prevention, emphasizing the mind-body connection critical in dance.
Additionally, dance education often uses culturally responsive pedagogy to honor diverse dance traditions and histories, making learning more inclusive and relevant. Teachers incorporate multicultural dance forms and invite students to explore their cultural identities through movement, fostering respect and appreciation for global dance heritage. Collaborative learning is also vital, where peer feedback and group choreography promote communication skills and teamwork.
Finally, assessment in dance education is frequently formative and reflective, encouraging students to self-assess and set personal goals. This approach supports ongoing growth rather than just performance outcomes, nurturing lifelong learners who appreciate dance as both an art form and a means of personal expression. Together, these pedagogical strategies create a rich, supportive environment for holistic dance education.
Dance education employs pedagogical approaches like experiential learning, embodied cognition, and constructivism. It emphasizes learning through movement, reflection, and creativity. Techniques include improvisation, repetition, peer feedback, and somatic practices. Culturally responsive teaching and interdisciplinary integration also support skill development, expression, and critical thinking in diverse dance contexts.
At the University of Zaragoza, I implement the REAPSES method (Learning Style Corners for Primary, Secondary, and Higher University and Non-University Studies). This is a new teaching methodology that allows us to take into account the active, reflective, theoretical, and pragmatic styles we encounter in class and teach through them. A study was conducted comparing the method with music. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=5834792
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