ISTD Diploma in Dance in Dance Education (DDE)

Introduction to ISTD Diploma in Dance in Dance Education

This qualification develops the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to teach dance, focussing especially on knowledge of pedagogy, including other units essential for an appreciation of teaching dance to children and adults. It consists of five mandatory units. Two units relate to generic teaching skills; one to child and adult physical and cognitive development; one to dance practice with a relationship to music, focussing on the dance knowledge required of pupils up to the beginning of vocational levels; and a final contextual unit on a topic related to dance. It develops the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to teach dance, primarily in the context of graded dance examinations within the private sector.

The observation techniques learnt in the Level 3 Diploma in Dance Instruction, along with the student’s increased knowledge of safe dance practice and strong grounding in the performance and teaching of the chosen genre lead to a greater understanding of teaching methods, both generic and dance genre specific. This understanding should become increasingly evident throughout the student’s course of study at the Diploma in Dance Education level. The qualification has a Qualifications and Credit Framework credit value of 92 and its Qualification Accreditation Number is 501/0750/1.

Aims

The Diploma in Dance Education is primarily aimed at students who have gained knowledge of the fundamental principles of dance teaching through the Diploma in Dance Instruction and who wish to become fully qualified and accredited ISTD dance teachers. Successful teachers are able to teach and enter students for all ISTD examinations except the accredited teaching qualifications. The Diploma in Dance Education has been accredited by Ofqual at Level 4 on the Qualifications and Credit Framework, which is equivalent to the level attained at first year degree level.

Entry conditions

Students must be at least 18 years of age before the end of the academic year in which they register and must hold the Diploma in Dance in the genre in which they wish to register.

Prior Accreditation and Achievement

The Diploma in Dance Education allows students to build on their current qualifications and experiences. Where students have achieved certificated qualifications within or outside of the Qualifications and Credit Framework that meet the learning outcomes and assessment criteria of a unit(s), students may apply to claim exemption from the relevant unit(s) of the qualification through the exemption route. Where students feel they can demonstrate that their previously achieved knowledge, understanding or skills meet the learning outcomes and assessment requirements for a unit(s) within the qualification, students may apply to claim credits for the relevant unit(s) through the recognition of prior learning. All applications must be made through the College.

ISTD Diploma in Dance in Dance Education – General Structure

The qualification is divided into five units, as shown below:

• Unit 1 – Planning Techniques and Evaluation of Dance Teaching
• Unit 2 – Dance Teaching Practice
• Unit 3 – Lifespan Development and Learning in Dance
• Unit 4 – Dance Practice and the Relationship between Music and Dance in a Chosen Dance Genre
• Unit 5 – Contextual Study of Dance

Units 1, 2, 3 and 5 are common to all dance genres and once attained do not have to be retaken when qualifying in another genre. Unit 4 is specific to each dance genre and the student may choose to take this unit more than once to pursue the study of different dance genres.

Students must complete all units of the qualification within a maximum of five years. Students returning after more than five years may be required to attend refresher courses to bring themselves up-to-date with current practice. This will be at the discretion of the College which will assess current skills, knowledge and understanding of the previously attained units.