Beyond Perfection: Technology as an Enabler to Promote Higher Order Skills in Performing Arts Education

Abstract

This paper discusses the role of technology as enabler to develop higher-order skills, such as analysis, evaluation and creativity in performing arts education. Traditionally, performing arts training is studio-based with an emphasis on hands-on experiences, and repeat practices for mastery. In his book ‘Outliers’ Gladwell asserted the 10,000-h rule of practice to master complex skills and become an expert. The physical training is an unavoidable and challenging journey for anyone to excel in the performing arts. The principle of ‘Practice Makes Perfect’ is often an implicit learning and teaching practice in world-renowned conservatories and academies. The master / apprentice model in music and daily technique classes in dance are dominant models of learning, their goal being the perfecting of students’ technical skills. Perfectionistic concerns, worries, and doubts regarding personal adequacy and mistakes, are prevalent [1]. However, in the past decades, there has been a shift to include reflective practice broadening beyond traditional definitions of perfectionism in the arts and towards the inclusion of creativity and practice research. Articulating notions of ‘Practice Makes Perfect’, ‘Reflective Practice’ and ‘Striving for Creativity’, the authors question ‘how’ the application of digital learning pedagogy and educational technology can support performing arts education to move beyond technical perfectionism. How educational technology can nurture and promote higher order skills and knowledges. Looking into the revised Bloom’s Taxonomy together with the digital learning pedagogy and technology, this paper examines the use of the technology as a ‘third eye’ and ‘third ear’ for meta-analysis of students’ practice. Contextualised in performing arts’ music and dance disciplines, the discussion in this paper provides examples on the functions and focuses of the most popular technology-aid performing arts learning and teaching pedagogies to illustrate the possibility to promote higher order thinking skills to supplement their routine practices for perfection.