How Long Should Dance Video Classes Be for Your Dance Company?
Starting a video class at your dance company is an exciting venture. However, determining the duration of your dance classes can be quite the challenge. Much like planning a game development class, the key is to break down your content into manageable, bite-sized chunks. Let’s explore how you can plan your dance classes effectively to cater to your learners' needs.
Planning Your Content
The first step in planning your dance video classes is to identify the large overarching concepts you would like to cover. These should provide a comprehensive overview of the dance style or technique you are teaching. For instance, if your focus is contemporary dance, some key topics might include:
Basic Contemporary Movement Principles Improvisation Techniques Partner Work and Contact Dynamics Projection and Stage Presence Performance PreparationBreaking Down Concepts into Smaller Chunks
Once you have your list of key concepts, the next step is to break each of these down into smaller and more manageable pieces. A useful strategy is to create bite-sized lessons that are 1 to 2 hours long each. Each lesson can focus on a small concept or a combination of related ones. Here’s how you can approach it:
Identify the core elements of each large concept. Create a series of lessons that build on each other, starting with the most basic and progressing to more advanced techniques. Ensure each lesson covers a single concept or a logical combination of concepts that can be learned in that timeframe.Developing a Schedule
With your list of smaller concepts, you can start to develop a schedule. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create your dance video class:
Begin with a document where you can lay out your schedule. Start with week 1 and assign lessons for each week. Each week can have multiple lessons, so plan accordingly. If you have 2 lessons per week, fill each lesson with the smaller concepts you identified. Start with the most basic concepts in the early weeks and gradually introduce more advanced topics as the course progresses. Review and refine your schedule as needed, keeping in mind the pace and progression of your students.Example Schedule for a Dance Video Class
Here’s an example of how you might structure a 12-week dance video class:
Week 1-2: Basic Movement Principles and Techniques Introduction to Contemporary Dance Exploring Basic Motions Understanding Body Alignment Week 3-4: Improvisation and Creativity Simple Improvisation Exercises Exploring Creative Movement Exploring Partner Dynamics Week 5-6: Advanced Techniques and Partner Work More Complex Improvisation Techniques Partner Work and Contact Dynamics Practicing Duel Phrasing Week 7-8: Performance Preparation and Stage Presence Rehearsing Short Dances Enhancing Stage Presence Performance Anxiety ManagementConclusion
The length of your dance video classes will depend on the complexity of the content and your learners' needs. By breaking down your content into manageable chunks and developing a structured schedule, you can create a comprehensive and effective video class. Remember, your ultimate goal is to ensure your learners are engaged and making progress. With the right planning and execution, you can offer a valuable and enriching dance experience to your students.