Activity 1.2: Metaphor for Learning

Activity 1.2: Metaphor for Learning

Learning is a dance. Dancing involves learning basic steps or fundamental moves, and practice. The dance may be slow, smooth and in harmony, but it may be disconnected, rocky, and out of step. Students may dance in the chorus with the rest of the group, or take center stage as a soloist or lead dancer, as a graceful ballerina or a popping, breaking, hip-hop artist. Often the instructor takes the lead, while the students follow, but sometimes student(s) “steal (or hijack) the lead” as evidence of independence, confidence or mastery of the steps. The instructor may choreograph a synchronized line dance but then step away and observe the beauty and self-reliance of the group working effortlessly and cohesively as a team. Students are responsible for their level of engagement in, and commitment to dance. Instructors must allow for unique personalities, styles and abilities of their students. The best dance instructors understand that individuals dance or “travel(s) to the beat of a different drum” (Different Drum, Nesmith, 1965) and “if a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away” (Walden, Thoreau, 1854). Psychologist, Dr. Harriet Lerner, The Dance of Anger (1985), suggests the metaphor that relationships are a dance.  If there is a problem with the dance, the instructor, the student, or both, must make a change to allow the movement to flow.