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Process diary

Using a process diary in Major Study Performance

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 students’ 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 Performance, the process diary could also include:

class notes, information or research on the application of technique to dance performance
personal reflection on interpretation of the work in performance
information about anatomical structure, strength, endurance and coordination in the performance of the work
descriptions of exercises that support the development of coordination or strength in performing the work
definitions of terms related to the style and movement patterns and stage terminology.

Sample viva voce question	How the process diary supports the response
Major Study Performance Select a movement phrase from your work. Explain and demonstrate the link between your use of dynamics and your interpretation in that phrase.	Reflections in process diaries can consider the Major Study performance work in terms of how dance technique and performance quality are applied to performance. Students should reflect on the link between the music and the choreography.

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