Dance for wellness
Program Evaluation:
The formative assessment collected along the way will be used to gage whether the learning outcomes of the program have been achieved, this will indicate the success of the program. As it is difficult to measure metal health; “Cohen suggests there are “few generally accepted and scientifically sound measures of individual social, emotional, and/or ethical learning” and those that do exist and are suggested for use, are to be administered by trained psychologists” (source: Jamie Ledwidge, 2014). A measure instead will be made towards whether the learning outcomes of each lesson have been achieved, it will then be assumed that the aims of the program have also been achieved. I also believed that the benefits of such a program reveal themselves later in a child’s life, for example in times of stress, or disinterest in competitive sports. I also believe that a follow on program building on skills and attributes learnt in this program in proceeding years would enhance and build on the benefits achieved here, indeed a learning environment that encompasses kinaesthetic learning as one of the ways of knowing through everyday classroom teaching would be even better!
Self-evaluation is an important aspect of Integral Theory. Self-reflection is situated in the top left-hand quadrant of Ken Wilber's AQAL model (Esbjörn-Hargens, Gunnlagaugson and Reams, 2010, p. 6). Students will be asked to self-evaluate what they have learnt throughout the program and to discuss how they feel about their: sense of identity and place in the world, self-confidence, self-esteem, self-motivation, do they feel more connecting with others? and Do they feel more confident about being physically active for life? Age appropriate questions need to be asked so that the students understand. The program evaluation questionnaire included (see 'evaluation questionnaire') provides some of those questions. If they feel good about the above emotions they will be well on their way to becoming citizens that can contribute to society and the program will have been a success. If the students go on to become creative and innovative individuals the goals of MCEETYA (2008, p. 8) will also be met.
The parents would have been involved through watching performances; they will have noticed positive changes in children’s behaviour and emotions, they are welcome and encouraged to leave feedback on the website.
