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Hello, I have a situation I am hoping someone can help me with. I have been taking ATS FCBD style lessons for a little over a year. My instructor does not give feedback when she sees that I am not doing something correctly. I recently learned that I have been holding my arms incorrectly and was only told this because I asked. I am becoming frustrated that I am paying each week to learn new moves but also expect feedback. What good does it do me if I learn a move but do it wrong. If someone has suggestions on how to approach this without my having to ask on a continuous basis whether I am doing something correctly, I would appreciate it.
Thank you.
Thank you.
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Re: Lack of Instructor Feedback
Wed, August 26, 2009 - 3:40 PMMarie,
From a teacher's point of view, I get frustrated when a student says "Oh, I didn't know you did the step this way." (or hold my arms this way, or finish the step this way) . Some people learn in different ways, some students don't come to class every week, or they are talking in class and miss the instruction given for a particular step.
As for personal feedback, that is a tricky thing to deal with. Not everyone wants attention drawn to them in class to correct something. They may be a weak dancer, and constant and well intentioned attention might have a less than positive outcome. A good teacher will address the class generally, and mention the need for some to correct what they are doing or pay attention to some other aspect of the step. It is up to the student to continually ask themselves if that particular general instruction applies to them. Despite doing this, a person may still not get it. The teacher may not have the time to give individual critique.
Perhaps you should approach your teacher and ask her. Do you have the opportunity to have a private with your teacher?
Cheers, Susan
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Re: Lack of Instructor Feedback
Wed, August 26, 2009 - 4:49 PMI think you answered your own questions when you said, "I recently learned that I have been holding my arms incorrectly and was only told this because I asked."
You should approach your instructor before or after class and politely let her know that you are the type of student who needs feedback, and that you are ready to hear it. I'm sure she will grant your request.
I'm not sure which levels you are taking, but a great way to work on your basic arms, etc. is to retake level one, for instance. Now that you are more familiar with the vocab. you will pick up (hear) A LOT more than you did the first time, and will be able to make your own corrections.
Also, as in instructor, I can tell you that I do give out 'blanketed' corrections (as well as individual). Meaning that, if one or two people are doing something incorrect, I will remind the whole class the correct way of doing it. My point is that she may be doing this, and you have to keep your ears open. Don't space out, or chit chat, and expect her to do all the work. Pay very close attention to what she is saying and always ask and respond politely and respectfully.
Again, you do your part by communicating with her, and she will do hers by granting your feedback wishes. Also, don't concider it a monetary issue that if you don't get 'x' number of corrections per class you're not getting your monies worth.
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Re: Lack of Instructor Feedback
Thu, August 27, 2009 - 7:12 AMMy teacher is a general feedback type of gal. Per the students' request, she has started giving a bit more individual feedback, but there's lots of students in the class. I make a point to regularly talk to her after class and ask her a question about something (while trying not to be a nuisance). Along the lines of: "I'm having trouble with X, can you help me?" or "I feel like I'm not doing X right, have you noticed if I'm doing it right?" She's honest if she hasn't noticed, but if she has tips, she'll offer them.
I agree that general feedback is great if more than 1 student is having difficult, but it gets to be annoying if it's just one person, especially if it's the same person.
To sum it up, I would chat with your teacher and see what she says. She may not realize that she's not offering feedback.
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Re: Lack of Instructor Feedback
Thu, August 27, 2009 - 11:25 AMMarie,
I am in a similar situation, as a matter of fact, I asked this past week about my arms and was given feedback that I was not holding right. I have decided that in my case, I need to talk to my teacher and let her know that on moves I learned over the past year and have not gotten feedback on, to tell me where I am messed up. I am taking a one on one class with my teacher 1x a month to discuss areas I need more work on. This might be a good option for you as well. In general, I think discussing our expectations with your teacher would be appropriate. She may not realize you need more feedback than other students. jms
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Re: Lack of Instructor Feedback
Thu, August 27, 2009 - 12:50 PMDefinitely tell your teacher that you would like feedback.
Sometimes it is hard to get to every student in a larger class. Sometimes the teacher may not want to pick on you. And sometimes the teacher just isn't the type to offer feedback. But, tell her to correct you.
It's difficult when you are in charge of teaching a large number of students. I am teaching ATS to a group of girls who are very excited to have the opportunity to learn ATS (there's not a lot of ATS in North Carolina.) However, the students are very diverse. On one end of the spectrum, I have a student who tolerates feedback beautifully. She goes home and actually practices whatever I suggest. I know she appreciates all the help I can give her. On the other end is a student who starts crying and actually yells at me if I try to correct her. She is an extreme, but it's a bit much in a class. She will scream that I didn't tell her [this or that] correctly to begin with. (I'm lucky I have other students who very willingly point out to her that, "Yes, she did tell you to floreo there."
I do recommend talking to your teacher about it. If she knows you're serious about learning then (surely) she will go out of her way to help you. -
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Re: Lack of Instructor Feedback
Thu, August 27, 2009 - 6:48 PMThis is an interesting topic you have raised Marie, - A few months ago I was given a copy of 'The Art & Technique of Practice' by Richard Provost to help me with my own practice of what my wonderful teachers instruct from regular class and occasional workshops. (All equally valuable from my perspective). I have previously tought tap and ballet and am now an ATS student of 18 mths.
This book has allowed me to place my focus and expectations of my learning outcome on not what my teacher can pump out to us but what leaning room I can openly provide our teacher with to fill as she sees appropriate...as individual that is!! I found 'productivity techniques' particularly helpful!! Here's what I mean..
quote from book: "While practicing, observe what you are doing. Don't criticize!! Comments such as 'That was terrible' 'grrr, too many mistakes' etc, are irrelevant, distracting and counter productive. They also take enjoyment out of practice & learning. On the other hand, NON-JUDGEMENTAL & FACTUAL OBSERVATIONS based on body awareness such as: 'your shoulders are tence, relax them and drop them, lift your elbows..that's right" this statement is about what needs to be done and what to focus on during practice. It is also important to recognise the relationship between motivation and progress." end quote.
Our class practices without mirrors, we all would love mirrors but we make the best of what we have. I am always intrigued when I see a photo or dvd of our performance to note how I don't have my elbows as lifted as I think I have! etc!! Alot of what I want back from my teacher that I am calling feedback is maybe not to tax her brain or for her to teach better, more - but just be a human mirror so I can take home a mental homework list of 2 things for me to practice with at home that week then see how I went with it for next week??!! who knows??!!
So.. can we define feedback - a non-judgemental and factual description of our teachers visual observation of us at practice is not going to be seen by us as negative but corrective, positive and nurturing of our growth and development as tribal sisters!!
hope this helps -
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