Dance your PhD 2018/2019 - Social Science WINNER: Movements as a Door for Learning Physics Concepts
Tags: YouTube,"Pre Converted" HS+ English and Life Science,"NEW" HS+ English and Life Science Description: This video-dance is the winner of the social science category in AAAS/Science Magazine's Dance Your PhD 2018/2019 Competition:
(https://www.sciencemag.org/projects/dance-your-phd).
The contest requires each dance to be based on a Ph.D. research, and the scientist to take part in the performance. I'm Dr. Roni Zohar from the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. My background is in physics and neurobiology and I teach physics and improvisation through dance. My deep belief is that "Movement is the door to learning" (Paul Dennison).
My Ph.D. dissertation title is:
"Movements as a Door for Learning Physics Concepts,
Integrating Embodied Pedagogy in Teaching"
My advisors, whom I deeply appreciate are:
Prof. Bat-Sheva Eylon, Department of Science Teaching, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
Prof. Dor Abrahamson, Graduate School of Education, University of California, Berkeley
Additional partial advisor: Dr. Esther Bagno, Department of Science Teaching, Whizmann Institute of Science, Israel.
The underlying assumption of this research is that physical experience can be used as a unique resource for learning complex concepts in physics by associating them with daily bodily activities.
The research goals were:
1. Development of an approach ('Embodied Pedagogy') that combines movement and
physical activities in learning concepts and principles in physics.
2. Research on learning and teaching processes by enacting 'Embodied Pedagogy' and
its contribution to perceiving and using physics concepts.
The research contributes both to research and practice of science teaching.
We explored, through two case studies, the potential of 'Embodied Pedagogy' for learning two complex physics concepts by high-school students, 'Balance' and 'Angular Velocity'. In the entire learning process, the contribution of the instructional approach to students' learning and understanding the concepts was evident. Moreover, in their summative projects, the students expressed a deep conceptual understanding, creativity as well as philosophical and affective depth.
Related publication: http://fnrejournal.com/index.php/FNRE/article/view/36
Similar to my students who summarize their learning in creative ways, this video summarizes my research via dance. It is consistent with my belief that we can learn and explain science through movement.
About the video:
The video takes place in various locations including dance studios where most of my research was conducted.
Opening Scene:
Location: Dance studio-Accelerator Auditorium in Weizmann Institute of Science.
In this scene I awake my students and inform them of a new pedagogy for learning physics ('Embodied Pedagogy'). Once they awaken, we demonstrate a number of mechanical concepts in physics through dance. The concepts presented in this scene are part of the concepts I taught in mechanics courses for high-school students.
The 'Balance Scene' - Documentary Scene
Location: Dance studio - High school dance studio.
A documentary scene from a mechanics course which I taught 10th grade dance students. Students experimented via movement concepts related to balance and differentiated between steady/unsteady balance. At the end of the scene, we are briefly exposed to the students' summative dances in which they explain the concepts learnt.
The 'Angular Velocity' Scene:
Location: Outdoors in the Weizmann Institute of Science.
The scene illustrates how I teach the 'angular velocity' concept to 10th grade physics students in a circular group assignment. The scene was photographed using a drone.
At the end of the scene some of the creative summative projects of my physics students are presented in the background. (video art with colors & mandala on a log).
End Scene:
Location: Dance studio-Accelerator Auditorium in Weizmann Institute of Science.
In the summative dance, we dance ideas related to circular movement and balance (dancing with physio balls). We dance the students' deep understanding via transferring of knowledge to other mediums. This summative dance celebrates the pleasure and creativity in the learning process; the colorful clothes, the open curtains and the beautiful scenery.
Music:
With great appreciation to Mark Eliyahu who gave his permission to use his compositions:
"Coming Back" & "Journey"
Movie Creators:
Dr. Roni Zohar & Yael Leibovitz
Choreography:
Dr. Roni Zohar & Rotem Lev
Email: roni.zohar@weizmann.ac.il Views: 55 Category: "Pre Converted" HS+ English and Life Science YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com/embed/oLCTJQ-GCLQ Embed This Movie (Minimal Player - Recommended):