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Abstract
This case study looks at the use of focus groups as a reflective pedagogical
tool in a collaborative project at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
The study involved the DanceDraw project, a collaboration between choreographers
and computer scientists investigating the intersection of dance and technology. Eight
dance and technology productions were staged over four years, and professionally
moderated focus groups were held after each production. A total of 35 dance students
were involved over the four years. The results of the focus groups were found to be
valuable for the choreographer and the computer scientists involved. The five dancers
who participated in a summative survey also reported very positive responses about the
post-production focus groups. The findings show that students found the focus groups
to be helpful in synthesizing their work by listening to peers, expressing themselves,
and bringing closure to the experience. Also included is information on setting up and
running dance post-production focus groups, including finding a facilitator, structuring
the focus group, providing sample questions, and showing how to analyze the
qualitative data collected.