Teaching Adults about their Irish Heritage and Why its Important

The main reason I am teaching adults about Irish Step Dancing is because I believe that in our readings that Adults need to know why they are learning something. They also want to know how this will benefit them.


The Learner’s Self-concept

http://frank.mtsu.edu/~itconf/proceed00/fidishun.htm
Knowles, Holton, and Swanson emphasize that “adults resent and resist situations in which they feel others are imposing their wills on them.” (1998, 65) In spite of their need for autonomy, previous schooling has made them dependent learners. It is the job of the adult educator to move adult students away from their old habits and into new patterns of learning where they become self-directed, taking responsibility for their own learning and the direction it takes.

Technology is a perfect path for the facilitation of self-direction. The ultimate ability of initiatives such as web-based learning to be non-linear allows an adult to follow the path that most appropriately reflects their need to learn. It becomes extremely important for those who are designing technology-based adult learning to use all of the capabilities of the technology including branching, the ability to skip sections a student already understands, and multiple forms of presentation of material which can assist people with various learning styles. All of these can be used to permit students to follow a path of learning that most appropriately suits them.

I feel like blogging about Irish Dancing is a way to express my ideas, pictures, videos and is a fun way to have adults learn Irish Dancing in a fun and interactive way.

Background & History of Irish Dance-Introduction on Getting to Know more about me"

I began taking lessons for Irish Step Dancing when I was in the first grade with Richens Academy of Irish Dance in Columbus, Ohio. It is now called Richens-Timm Academy. I took dancing for until I was in eighth grade. I quit dancing so I could pursue other options in playing volleyball in high school. I was very involved with the academy and loved it. I met amazing friends that I call family and they are so wonderful. This is a picture of our dance reunion in Summer of 2009. Here is my dancing group's website: http://www.richenstimm.com/

Background of Irish Dancing

Irish Dance has been around since about 400 A.D. Peasants from all around Europe came to Ireland with special dances from their home countries. They put their steps together which then created the form of Irish Dance.

The Vikings destroyed most books from the 7th and 8th century. So little is known about Irish dance history before then. The Viking raids ended in 1014 when Feisianna began. A Feisianna was the combination of a trade fair, political gathering and cultural event. It also had sporting events, story telling, crafts, music and dance. During the 12th century Celtic traditions declined. In 1366 the Statute of Kilkenny was decreed imposing heavy penalties against anyone practicing Irish customs. Dance declined for a while then continued on in secret.

During the 16th and 17th centuries “crossroads dancing” became very popular. The clergy condemned “crossroads dancing” so the Gaelic League introduced the first Ceili in 1697. This let dancers dance indoors under supervision. The Ceili was not held in Ireland but in London. Traditional Irish culture continued in secrecy until the 1700s. Around 1750 less strict attitudes allowed Irish dance to flourish. Dance was taught by Dance Masters. A Dance Master would travel around the country staying in villages to teach dance steps. Having a dance teacher staying in your village was cause for pride and boasting by the community.

In 1929 the Irish Dancing Commission was founded to make rules in teaching, judging and competitions. It is still around today. In the 1930s and 40s enthusiasm was low due to immigration and unemployment and interest in music was down.

In the 20th century dance instruction begins at an early age. Girls rarely danced solos before the 1920s. Dance styles also changed, arms and hands were not always held rigid during solo dances. Hands were more relaxed and usually on their waists. It was said that Parish priests considered rigid arms less provocative and were said to increase a girl's self control.

An Irish dance competition is called a feis. One can be found somewhere in the United States every month of the year. Spring and summer months are usually the busiest. Regional competitions are called Oireachtas (pronounced uh-roc-tas). The best dancers qualify for the national competition and then the world competition. The All World Championships are held every year in Ireland at Easter time.

http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00374/history.html

Kelly Barista's Technology Plan!

Just in time for St. Patty's day and my favorite time and holiday! I took Irish Step Dancing for 10 years while I lived in Columbus, Ohio. From the time I started and stopped, I have always been asked to teach, show a step, perform at a wedding or share my knowledge about the Irish Step Dancing Tradition and background. For me it was a great time in my life. I am still friends with many of the old dancers and we had a reunion two years ago in Columbus, Ohio.

My main objective for this technology plan is to incorporate a way of giving you knowledge about Irish Step Dancing. I will focus on:

Background and History-Week 1

I feel as children and adults we are self-directed and teaching and learning from ourselves is a big theme in defining the adult-Week 1

Dancing Steps and Soft and Hard Shoes-Week 2

Irish Dance Costume-Week 3

Riverdance-Week 4

Jig-the Movie-Week 4

Where you can take Irish Dancing for Adults in the Chicagoland area-Week 5

Re-Cap and Pictures-Week 5

Feet of a Dancer Poem and Song-Week 6

Irish Blessing-Week 6

As a student-please begin on researching about your heritage and start working on thinking of ideas for the class.

Baby Clothes and spending tons of money-guess what you don't have to!

So being almost six months pregnant--the worry wart of my personality is setting in...I need clothes, I don't have much for the baby (we haven't had our shower), I need to keep reading my books! All of my worries are starting and they are waking me up at night or keeping me from sleeping. I have heard this happens, but geez!

We'll yesterday I was on one of my favorite websites, Craigslist.com and plugged in Maternity/Baby Clothes. I got a couple good ones that popped up and saw one that was great and the woman that I contacted lived right by my work. We made an appointment for me to come over and look at clothes. She has triplets and an older daughter. I was so excited and at lunch I drove over to her house. I was greeted with a smile and surrounding her dining room were bins of clothes from Newborn to 18 months. I could have went crazy, but since we don't know the sex I was trying to contain myself and choosing only clothes that were gender neutral and also a couple cute girl and boy outfits. She was so sweet and so nice! I am so looking forward to reading her blog http://www.4littlebees.com/about-2/ All of the clothes were so cute and in such good condition. I got so many onesies, pants, a couple sleep sacks and outfits for $26.00 bucks! Love a good deal--I am hooked now on looking for baby clothes on craigslist and at garage sales! I can't wait to meet our baby--then I can go wild! But for right now--this was perfect and such a good start to Baby Barista's wardrobe!

Thank you so much Mama Bee!

Bigfeetgirl thanks you!

Love is...

It has been a while since I have posted one of these but I can't help to feel great on this Friday--it's sunny outside, it's the weekend and everything seems to be in a good place and where I should be in my life. Life throws curveballs, but you have to roll with the punches and see where it takes you.

Have a great weekend!

21 Week Ultrasound

Last Thursday was very exciting--we had our 21 week ultrasound. I was supposed to go for my 20 week ultrasound, but the Blizzard came and we had to reschedule. It was a very cool moment in time that I'll always remember.

They tell you to drink lots of water so they can get a good reading on the baby and take all the measurements...I drank a lot more water than needed. After waiting an extra 30 minutes with a full bladder they were finally ready to take us in.

The ultrasound tech was very nice and she got lots of good readings on the baby...which is great! We didn't find out the sex and we are keeping it a surprise! I can't wait to know in June which seems like a long time away, but I know it will come quick!

Baby Barista is measuring at 1 pound, heartbeat at 139 and healthy! So excited and glad to hear everything was healthy and wonderful. Grandma Mimi got to come and she was so excited also!

Can't wait to meet Baby Barista in 18 weeks! wow--that is crazy!

Due Date: June 22, 2011