Community dance for preschool teachers’ training during pandemic: an art-based research

Abstract

ABSTRACT This research is part of a postdoctoral research on early childhood teachers’ training, through community dance, in the midst of pandemic. The aim was to discover and utilize creative approaches remotely, due to the confinement established as a measurement for the pandemic, in Greece. Art-based research was used as methodology, in order to allow creative practices and multimodal formats to foster a holistic approach and knowledge towards education. The sample consisted of 88 students (6th semester), from the 95 enrolled in this course of the Department of Early Childhood Education, in the University of Thessaly, Greece. The methods used were, a community dance performance from 51 participants, field notes and free texts. Analysis of the findings was based on inductive approaches to qualitative data, such as thematic analysis and content analysis. The results showed that a community dance module can function from distance, as it fosters collaboration, supports participant initiative, encourage creativity, enhances critical thinking and reflection, highlights personal artistry, fosters accountability and encourage collective empowerment.