IADMS New York 2002   [back to the Category]

Teaching Anatomy to Dancers in a Web-Based Format: A Collaborative Experience   [read the french version]

Author :   Judith K. Steel, M.A. & Al.

Teaching Anatomy to Dancers in a Web-Based Format:
A Collaborative Experience

Judith K. Steel, M.A.
Lisa Donegan Shoaf; M.S.,P.T.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia



The objective of the first 20 minutes of this presentation is for the collaborators to present a web course designed to teach anatomy and basic anatomical principles as related to injury prevention, to dancers studying in a BFA college dance program. The collaboration was authored and taught by instructors from two disciplines, Physical Therapy and Dance. The integration, of knowledge in science and the art of dance, was the motivating force for the design of this course. The web format allowed for team teaching while bypassing the scheduling difficulties of real time collaborative teaching. The web pages contain text that is illustrated by numerous images highlighted by special notes referring to dance movements and experiences in the studio. Digital photos and short video clips of dancers performing movements also enhance the design of the course while providing visual references to dance and anatomical principles. Special attention is placed on key alignment issues and potential problems for the dancer. The last 10 minutes of the presentation will offer points of discussion on issues related to experiences in teaching an integrated and working knowledge of anatomy to dancers.