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Brain Dance And Brain Power: Impact Of Movement On Problem-Solving Skills For Exceptional Learners, Kristin Crain

Master's Theses

The goal of this research was to answer the question: Q1 In what ways do Brain Dance type movements impact problem-solving skills for exceptional learners? The research was completed within the public education setting with a group of volunteer participants including one cooperating teacher and six student participants identified as exceptional learners. The researcher focused on problem-solving skills including identifying a problem, showing work, implementing a solution, and identifying a solution. Research instruments were created based on these skills including a pretest, posttest, and teacher rubric. Student participants completed the pretest prior to being introduced to movement exercises. The researcher …

Dance Education In Pennsylvania Charter Schools: Advocating For Parity Among The Core Arts Disciplines, Donna Lynch

Master's Theses

The goal of this research was to collect data on existing dance programs and activities in Pennsylvania charter schools, and to advocate for the presence of dance in school arts offerings for academic credit, creating parity among the four core arts disciplines of visual arts, music, theater, and dance. The researcher developed three essential questions to guide this research:

Q1 What dance education programs currently exist in Pennsylvania charter schools, and what certifications are held by dance educators in these schools?

Q2 What obstacles, other than the teacher certification process, are preventing schools from hiring dance specialists and implementing dance …

Barriers To Dance Education: An Exploration Into The Beliefs Of Dance Educators And Non-Dance Familiars On Dance And Its Place In The Public-School System, Brianna Michelle Miller

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate differing views on the value of dance and its place within the public-education system. The researcher crafted three research questions to guide her research:

Q1 What barriers or objections exist when it comes to incorporating dance within the public-school setting? Q2 What discrepancies exist between the viewpoints of dance educators and non-dance familiars when it comes to dance and its value within the public education system? Q3 What specific steps can be taken to highlight the importance of dance education in the public-school setting?

Nine dance educators and twelve non-dance familiars completed …

Development And Interactions Of Instructor And Student Musical Identities In A University Introductory Music Course For Non-Music Majors, Nicholas Booker

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate student and instructor musical identities in the context of a university music course intended for non-music majors. Participants were the instructor of an introductory music course and 16 of her students at a medium-sized university in the western United States. Study of this group of participants and their interactions throughout one 15-week semester led to greater understanding of their roles in music as well as better insight into the many ways in which they formed connections between music and their identity concepts. The research allowed for the development of assertions based on …

"To Get A Job In A Broadway Chorus, Go Into Your Dance:" Education For Careers In Musical Theatre Dance, Lauran Stanis

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify necessary education and experiences for dancers who wish to pursue a career in musical theatre dance and identify the content dancers who want to pursue careers in musical theatre dance should be studying. In this project, two groups of individuals were surveyed about their education and experiences. These individuals were those with dance degrees, and those working professionally in musical theatre as dancers or choreographers. A total of 174 subjects participated in the study. Of these participants, ninety-two were dance degree holders and eighty-two were musical theatre dance professionals. Two surveys were …

Social Activism: Teaching Activism Through Socially Conscious Plays, Alanna Kiewe

Master's Theses

Students derived numerous benefits while participating in theater by gaining confidence and social skills. To help navigate these skills, this thesis showed that using a socially conscious play helped participants gain empathy, an understanding of their community, and an interest in social activism. This protocol outlined the process of producing And a Child Shall Lead, by Michael Slade. The entire process of working on Slade’s play allowed students in middle school to gain an understanding of the Holocaust and helped them appreciate how social activism can shape communities.

Closing The Opportunity Gap In And Through Dance: A New Rubric Design, Emily Hunter

Master's Theses

The goal of this research was to design a dance audition rubric that could identify both capability and potential in novice students and formally trained dancers alike. The high school targeted in this study was among the top public arts schools in the nation, able to offer unparalleled opportunities to students who gain admission by audition. A problem existed in that students with little or no formal dance training had difficulty gaining entry to the dance program because the existing rubric rewarded evidence of training over raw talent. In designing a new rubric, the hope was to identify one way …

Developing Literacy In A Rehearsal Setting: Matilda The Musical, Andrew Tribe

Master's Theses

Literacy skills and performing arts skills can work together in tandem to further the educational and personal development of young people. The goal of this thesis is to explore how students will tackle a musical that at its core, is about growing up with ideologies change over time and how students can implement literacy skills in the rehearsal process. For the title character of Matilda the Musical, her personal growth and imagination is ignited by books and literacy. The production offers an opportunity for students to understand the importance and transferable value of literacy through the rehearsal process and final …

Evaluation Of Resuscitation Cardiopulmonary Training For The New Nurse, Nhan Thi Yen Nguyen

Master's Theses

This study aimed to define effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for new nurses. Nurses who respond to emergency situations are required to have the sensitivity and professional skills to respond effectively. Thus, improving resuscitation knowledge and technique for nurses is critical in order to enhance the quality and safety of patient care. This study used a pretest and posttest research design with convenience sampling; the sample consisted of 30 nurses who worked at the study hospital. As a result, new nurses’ knowledge improved from 7% to 73% after training. The psychomotor development of skills after the cardiopulmonary resuscitation training improved to …