Kim Neal Nofsinger

nofsinge@mtsu.edu

Russell Church

Philosophy/

Smart Classroom

Room 140 Fairview - Men's Dressing Room, Women's Dressing Room and Hallway

New Technology

N/A

The allocation of funds for a Master Classroom in Fairview 140 would greatly assist the dance program as they revise their minor, prepare to create a major, and service the general education needs of the university. It is estimated that the dance program will soon service the education of over 600 students per year as they expand their course offerings and intensify the nature of their program. One course the dance program offers which meets General Education Requirements at MTSU is Dance Appreciation. In the past one section of this course was offered per year. Next year ten sections of this course will be offered during the regular academic year with additional sections scheduled during summer school. The consistency of a space where this class would be offered would improve the quality of its implementation by the faculty. The content of this course could be enhanced with the use of streaming video, the access to internet sources during class, and the integration of other materials accessible with this system. In addition to Dance Appreciation, other courses within the academic component of the dance curriculum would use this space in similar ways. For students in studio classes such as technique and choreography the Master Classroom would serve as a facility where they could assess their studio work. Using motion capture analysis instructors could assist the efficiency of movement execution with students and analyze performance and choreography. In discussing issues of theory and criticism websites and external links could be integrated as resources. In addition to these options with the use of the three computers proposed for the space students could learn how to edit dance videos and create electronic portfolios. This is a vital component in the contemporary world of dance that the dance program currently cannot address. The Master Classroom in Fairview would greatly assist the dance program as they advance the curriculum they provide to the population at MTSU.