What are the values of Dance as a physical activity within a learning environment?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to discover if there are perceptible values of Dance as a physical activity within a learning environment, utilising University sports students in their second year who were participating in a Dance module as part of their courses. Baseline questionnaires were distributed to discern the participants past Dance experience, how often they participated in physical activity, their specialist sports, and to garner if they had any concerns relating to the Dance module prior to its commencement. A further questionnaire was distributed with the intention of discovering what the participants found to be the Values of Dance in that learning environment. A focus group comprised of participants from the initial sample were selected, to identify if this medium of data analysis generated different data in response to the same questionnaire. Dictaphone recordings from this group were also completed in attempt to garner more focussed results. The main findings revealed that the participants found that Dance was inclusive; enjoyable; proved to be beneficial in encouraging peer bonding; and that is has value in its belonging as an Art form as a creative practice that allows for freedom and selfexpression. Dance was also shown to be less concerned with competition and is less pressuring than other sports, and it was discovered that it has value in the numerable values it shares with other sports.