pennsicdance: Planning Dance at Pennsic

[Nathan Kronenfeld]

Maria said: 
> ... [In-set teaching] does present some problems though.  I've found 
> that sometimes having people teaching the dance within the set causes 
> more problems than is solves.  It adds to the general noise level in 
> the barn and can actually make it harder on the person trying to teach 
> the dance.

This has been a problem the last few years.  However, I believe it is not
because of any inherent flaw in the idea, but rather because of mis-organization
(or even a complete lack thereof).  In other words, it is not in-set teaching,
or single-person teaching, that is the problem, but the simultaneous attempt at
both.

This is not to say there aren't situations where the simultaneous teaching is
necessary and good; when there is only one set having problems, giving them a
personal teacher so as not to slow down the whole hall is a good thing.  The
individual teach *has to* keep in mind, however, to do so quietly, and, if
possible, a little farther from the center of things.

This points out to me an interesting point, however: these assistants have, in a
sense, a much harder job than the head teacher.  They will have to handle the
problem cases, and teach them faster (so as to catch them up to the rest of the
hall), and do all this quietly and unobtrusively.

We have had plenty of volunteers for head teacher; but we may want to reserve
the best as assistants.

OK, enough rambling and random brainstorming on this topic.  On to the next.

> It's also a good idea not to have different sets doing different 
> versions.

I have to disagree.  Unless there is a problem with the teaching of one version
interfering with that of the other, variations shouldn't be an issue.  In most
cases, they can even be done successfully in the same set as each other.

> I think that the idea that someone suggested about breaking the room 
> up into areas and having several dance  masters teach a few sets each 
> might work better and be a little less chaotic.

This depends on the number of sets being discussed.  I think the limit is about
two.  One is *much* better.  If you get beyond 2 sets, each teacher has to be
loud enough in his little group as to interfere with other teachers.  This is
exactly the problem mentioned above.

		-Daniel


-------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from this list, send email to majordomo at pbm.com containing
the words "unsubscribe pennsicdance". If you are subscribed to the digest
version, say "unsubscribe pennsicdance-digest". To contact a human about
problems, send mail to owner-pennsicdance at pbm.com