SHORTY GEORGE: Stompin’ at the Savoy

An Adaptive Learning Guide By Melissa Cheung andDaniel RivasCS377e • 13 December 2000

Rationale

• We enjoy swing dancing and its music.• We feel that having a personal knowledgeable

tutor would be a great resources.• Many people aren’t able to get to dances

classes because of resources, time, or embarrassment.

• Target population: swing dancers, pre-teen and up.

• Curriculum: music, history, dances, and artists of swing.

Persona: Shorty George

• He’s a cool kat with a passion for swing.• He’s a historical figure from the dance era.• He a comical, spunky, and like to dance

around.• He likes to tell stories about his friends and

the Savoy Ballroom, where he used to dance.• He’s amazed by technology.• He’s patient, enjoys teaching and is always

cooool.

Learner Model

• Learners are classified by:– Dance expertise level (novice, intermediate, expert)– Musical preferences (blues, big band, modern, etc.)– Dance style (Lindy Hop, Hollywood Style, Hustle, Hip

Hop, etc.)– Pace of music (slow, fast, beats per minute)– Learning Style (visual feet map, video, text, audio

announcement of steps)– Lead/Follow– Gender

Learner Model

• Learners recognized by:– Preferences stated by user.– Cookies for identifying user.– Progress feedback while learning steps.– Feedback when Shorty asks preferences

about music or dance.– Monitoring where and when user goes in the

site.

Pedagogical Model

• Acts as a dance trainer and advisor• Uses direct instruction and guided

exploration.• Encourages musical, kinesthetic, verbal,

and logical intelligences.• Encourages mastery, understanding,

and self-expressive learning.• Offers encouragement and feedback.

Curriculum Model

• Exploratory or guided tour– Music, artists, dances, history– Each is a branching organization– Shorty can give a scripted story or point to

interesting facts or examples

• Step-by-Step Dance Modules– Explains dance steps, plays music, counts off beats,

shows examples in user’s learning style preference– Shorty suggests music, additional steps, or video to

enhance learning.

Evaluation

• Success of Shorty is based on:– If a user returns visits to the site.– How much of the site is explored.– If a user demonstrates curiosity by

asking questions.– If a user is willing to recommend

Shorty to a friend by giving emails.

QuickTime™ and aCinepak decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Flim Clip: A Day at the Races (1937)

•This is a clip from a Marx brothers' movies called a Day at the Races.•Those hep cats can move! Those are some of my friends, Norma Miller and Leon James.•The Lindy Hop's an 8 count dance that evolved out of the Charleston. You can see they still do some of it.

Tell Me More about the Video

QuickTime™ and aCinepak decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Flim Clip: A Day at the Races (1937)

•A Marx Brothers Movie•Dance choreographed by Franking Manning•Dance troupe performing is Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers•Some Dancers to look for:

•Norma Miller and Leon James•Snook Beasley and Wille Mae Ricker•Ella Gibson and George Grendige

•This scene, like many dance scenes filmed during this time period, has no connection to the actual plot of the film. This way, the scenes could be easily cut out for versions to be shown in segregated venues.

Lindy Hop Moves: Swing Out with Spin OutVideo Clip

FOLLOWER (That’s you cool kat.)1. Start in open position2. Do a basic swing out to count 4.3. On count 4, the leader will put your right hand down and behind your back.4. On count 5, the leader will take your right hand behind your back with his right hand.5. Counts 6-8, you unwind.6. On count 8, the leader changes hands.

QuickTime™ and aSorenson Video decompressorare needed to see this picture.

Lindy Hop Moves: Swing Out with Spin OutFeet Map

FOLLOWER in redCount 1:Rock step back with the right foot.

Lindy Hop Moves: Swing Out with Spin OutFeet Map

FOLLOWER in redCount 2:•Complete rock step by stepping on your left foot. •You can also do swivels in place of a rock step on one and two.

Lindy Hop Moves: Swing Out with TurnFeet Map

FOLLOWER in redCount 3:•Cross your right foot over the left foot. •You should be turned about 90 degrees from your starting position.•You partner will put his right hand on your back.

Lindy Hop Moves: Swing Out with TurnFeet Map

FOLLOWER in redCount 3 and-:•Uncross by bringing your left foot around. •Keep your body facing your partners.•You partner’s hand should be on your back.

The Jitterbug StrollAudio Clip

Knee slap, knee slapShorty GeorgeKnee slap, knee slapShorty George

Play>