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Process diary

Using a process diary in Major Study Composition

The process diary is used for internal assessment and to support practical examinations.
Dance Stage 6 Syllabus p. 74 - 75

Why are process diaries important?

For students, using process diaries provides a means of:

developing and practising skills in observing, recalling and recording information
using dance terminology in a meaningful and relevant way
expressing personal ideas and opinions
evaluating their own work through personal reflection and critical analysis
maintaining a record of their learning, knowledge, understanding and dance experiences.

Information in the process diary should support student’ understanding of the dances and the works in Core Performance and Composition and in Major Performance, Composition and Dance and Technology.

For teachers, reviewing process diaries provides a means of:

assessing the students’ learning and understanding
identifying the students’ strengths and weaknesses
gaining insight into students’ attitudes towards learning in dance.

Information on student learning in dance provides direction and allows teachers to make judgments about teaching and learning programs in order to improve student outcomes.
When reflecting in process diaries, consider the dance concepts studied as they can be applied to practical class work, e.g. What preparation was required to perform a given sequence? How do my body’s capabilities and limitations affect my performance of the dance?

In Major Study Composition, the process diary could also include:

considerations arising from developing choreography for two or three dancers
ideas relating to costumes or props and their relationship to the intent of the work
definitions of the terms used in composition
stimulus material that inspires composition
records of personal planning, including details concerning the development of intent
research undertaken in the development of a dance and its contribution to the composition
ongoing analysis of the problems encountered and the strategies used to find solutions
constructive advice received from audiences viewing works in progress
reflection on dances composed and their success in realising the original intent
individual reflection and peer evaluation of the student’s own performance.

Sample viva voce question	How the process diary supports the response
Major Study Composition Explain and demonstrate how your choice of accompaniment (or non-accompaniment) impacted on your use of dynamics in your work.	An additional consideration for Major Study composition is the choreography for additional dancers. Complete documentation and consideration of all aspects in relation to your work demonstrate your understanding of compositional elements.

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