Seeing myself dance: video and reflective learning in dance technique

This paper will address the conference theme of parity/choice between practice and theory within a dance course. It deals specifically with an example from an undergraduate dance provision. The paper draws on ongoing action research undertaken as part of ReP: The Performance Reflective Practice Project. This two year project is supported by the Fund for the Development of Teaching and Learning and is based at De Montfort University. The project team, of which the authors are members, is examining the role of reflective practice in the teaching and learning of Dance, Theatre and Performance in higher education. In particular, the project seeks to investigate how students may be encouraged and enabled to develop critical approaches to their own studio practice by engaging with it in a reflective way. This paper will report how student analysis of video recording of practice was employed as part of a reflective learning strategy to enhance student learning in dance technique and performance.