Dance in Physical Education: Experiences in Dance as Described by Physical Education Student Teachers

Abstract In Norway dance in school is mainly placed within the subject of physical education. This paper is based on a study conducted together with students in physical education teacher education. The main focus is to explore experiences in dance improvisation and contact improvisation as described by physical education student teachers. The study is influenced by phenomenological thinking. The analysis makes evident that the students experienced the subject of dance improvisation and contact improvisation in many different ways. Yet, how the student teachers express their experiences can be divided into the different roles of student-dancers experiencing dancing and student-teachers trying to decide whether what they do in the dance classes can be used in teaching in schools.