There is a growing demand in the US for more trained engineers, yet attrition rates from university engineering programs are high and diversity in engineering is low. Few resources have been dedicated to the improvement of freshman engineering courses even though freshman students have the highest rates of attrition. Through a synthesis of the…

This paper discusses the power of performed research. Such power lies in assisting to research the whole human -- thought, action, and emotion. The paper discusses the potential for research through the arts in the development of creativity and imagination, to facilitate social change, and to explore performance as a research process as well as an…

Learning new languages, being physically active, playing a musical instrument or listening to music favour a good attitude towards life and activate both the brain and the body. The purpose of this study is twofold: 1) to present the findings of a small scale study of third age participants and 2) to review the literature of the…

The increasing academic value of studying abroad has encouraged significant increasing number of students participating in various kinds of student mobility programs. Since 1975, the number of mobile students has grown globally by almost 350%. (Chien, 2010) During July 2008 - July 2009, Thailand admitted over 19,052 students from 124 countries.…

Edith Betts (1983) presented an Amy Morris Homans lecture entitled "Keepers of the Crown Jewels." During her lecture, Betts told a story of a queen who had some beautiful crown jewels. There were four that were particularly precious to her--a ruby, a pearl, a sapphire, and an emerald. As the story evolved, the queen noticed that after she left the…

The American Square Dance became the official National Folk Dance of America by an act of Congress in 1982. Although the square dance contains some elements similar to the New England Quadrille, the Kentucky Running Set is thought to be the true foundation for its movements and configurations. The Running Set has been traced back to the source of…

Trends in the current job market in the field of dance are identified, and aspects, such as personal qualifications, training requirements, income potential, and employment possibilities, are discussed. Employment opportunities in the professional world, the field of education, and the corporate environment are explored. Career opportunities for…

This paper provides the outline of a session in dance at the annual meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. The purpose of the session was to provide an opportunity to celebrate individual differences while learning new skills for lifelong leisure activity through an English dance form known as…

Dancing is not only a means to insure the activity and involvement of growing numbers of seniors, it is also a viable choice for the stimulation of health, self-worth, belonging, and joy in aging. Two successful programs in southeastern Connecticut and one in Washington, D.C. illustrate the effectiveness of dancing for the aging. Each program is…

Creative dance improvisation involves both the movement of the body with awareness and the awakening of the creative spirit. The basic elements of creative dance improvisation--force, time, and space--are examined with a view toward how this approach to dance can be a means for growth in the general education of anyone throughout their lives.…

This paper describes and discusses the interactive movement forum and the process of working on it as data itself. The paper revisits the theme of the creative process from a postmodern perspective, particularly considering creativity in relationship to women's bodies and detailing the problematic aspects of working with students in an artistic…

An historical review reveals that dance in education has gained increasing recognition and credibility throughout America during the past 60 years. Introduced as a small part of the physical education activity program during the 1920s and 1930s, it has expanded and matured to become an essential component of many early childhood and elementary…

A study was conducted to determine whether dance-trained, television-trained, and regular television viewing audiences would evaluate different approaches to televising dance differently. Three versions of a dance performance were videotaped: (1) version A, a one-camera, one-shot recording; (2) version B, a two-camera, real-time-edited approach,…

The paper describes specific techniques developed for utilizing tap dance and creative movement to facilitate speech, language, and auditory training in children with communication disorders. The integration of auditory training with speech and language activities is noted, as is the importance of incorporating movement, sound, rhythm, and…

This outline profiles two programs that use dance/movement therapy to help students with low self-esteem, poor body image, poor self-control, lack of trust in others, difficulty identifying and expressing feelings, and poor interpersonal relating skills. Students referred for dance/movement therapy services are assessed for appropriateness, and…