Assessor Resource

CUADAN310A
Increase depth of social dance technique

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit applies to dancers who are pursuing a career in entertainment contexts where social dancing skills are required. These include social gatherings, floor shows, community events, cruise ships, casinos and corporate events. Social dancing encompasses styles such as waltz, rumba, cha cha, fox trot, quick step, as well as Latin American styles such as Argentine tango, mambo, salsa, paso doble and samba.

At this level, work is normally supervised, though some autonomy and judgement can be expected within established parameters.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to consolidate basic social dance technique to achieve a greater depth of expression in performances.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

improve social dance technique over a 6 to12 month period

perform a range of basic social dance techniques in a learning environment

respond appropriately to constructive feedback on own dance technique

follow safe dance practices.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to appropriate dance performance areas or spaces.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence

third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance

evaluation of live or recorded performances

verbal or written questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit

case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and challenges that arise in the context of maintaining a personal physical conditioning program

direct observation of candidate in rehearsals and performances.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

CUADAN303A Develop partnering techniques

CUAMUP301A Prepare personal appearance for performances

CUAPRF201A Prepare self for performances

CUAPRF307A Develop performance techniques.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

discuss dance and physical conditioning issues with relevant personnel

read and interpret a simple combination of social dance steps in written form

respond appropriately to feedback on own skill development and performance

initiative and enterprise skills to:

work creatively with music and dance

dance with strong stage presence, confidence and projection

communicate the mood or style of dances to audiences

learning skills to:

improve own social dance techniques through practice and a positive attitude to dancing

develop and implement a personal physical conditioning program

develop a movement memory

planning and organising skills to plan practice time

self-management skills to:

arrive punctually at classes

dress appropriately

observe dance discipline and follow direction

apply safe dance practices

teamwork skills to work collaboratively with others involved in dance classes.

Required knowledge

well-developed knowledge of:

principles underlying dance movements and techniques, such as:

relationship with gravity

spatial awareness

successional movement

use of breath

folding

extending

rotating

shifting weight

anatomical foundations, including:

articulation of the spine

engagement of the feet

bases of support, including feet, legs, hands, arms and torso

range of motion of the joints

differentiation of the legs and pelvis

importance of healthy food choices in relation to wellbeing and injury prevention, including five food groups and recommended daily amounts

social dance terminology

musical rhythms, including:

time signatures

beat

tempo

syncopation

overview knowledge of:

different social dance styles

stagecraft as it relates to dancers, such as:

costumes

make-up

props

lighting

history of chosen social dance styles, including prominent dancers.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant personnel may include:

teachers

mentors

coaches

medical practitioners

nutrition experts

colleagues

family members

performers

representatives of dance societies.

Social danceincludes:

international standard, such as:

foxtrot

quickstep

tango

Viennese waltz

waltz

American standard

Arthur Murray

street Latin dance, such as:

Argentine tango

cha cha

jive

mambo

paso doble

rumba

salsa.

Risk factors may relate to:

consistency of a physical fitness regime

own ambition

expectations of others

injury-prevention strategies

gender issues

body image and eating disorders

insufficient hydration

poor nutrition

incorrectly fitting footwear and clothing

gender-appropriate performance techniques.

Warm-up and cool-down activities may include:

stretching

joint-mobility exercises

flexibility exercises

aerobic activities

anaerobic exercises

coordinated breathing activities

floor work.

Performance preparation may refer to:

awareness of performance environment (space, location, size) and audience

preparation of performance space to ensure safety of self and others

mental preparation

immediate physical preparation

rehearsal appropriate to audience

awareness of time lines and call times immediately prior to performance

preparation and organisation of props, costumes and equipment immediately prior to performance.

Social dance techniquesmust include:

correct alignment, including:

posture and poise appropriate to the dance style

position of foot in relation to the performance space

line of dance

facing and backing

improvisation

locomotor techniques, such as:

steps with specific types of walk, chasse

footwork, part of the foot used

foot position, placement and direction of foot

weight transfer techniques

turning techniques, including:

full turn

half turn

body positions and holds in relation to partner, including:

closed position

contact position

open position

left side position

right side position

demonstrating an awareness of personal and general space when travelling and stationary

correct posture and alignment when in motion

demonstrating safe dance practices in jumping, falling and faster travelling steps

dancing in time with the music

non-locomotor techniques, such as:

balance

stillness.

Characterisation and personality may refer to:

Latin American styles, including:

rumba: soft, sexual

cha cha: flirtatious, cheeky

samba: celebratory, carnivale

jive: fun, high energy, rock and roll

standard styles, including:

waltz: dreamy, romantic

slow foxtrot: smooth

tango: fiery, aggressive

quickstep: fun, bubbly, high energy.

Performances may be:

in a learning environment

live before an audience

in a competition setting.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
In consultation with relevant personnel identify a range of techniques to improve stamina, strength and flexibility 
Set realistic physical conditioning goals aimed at improving own social dance technique 
Identify risk factors that may inhibit the achievement of goals and seek professional advice as required 
Take fatigue, personal limitations and boundaries into account when undertaking physical conditioning program 
Always perform warm-up and cool-down activities in conjunction with dance activities 
Ensure that clothing and footwear are appropriate for undertaking exercise regime and practising dance technique 
Ensure appropriate performance preparation 
Perform social dance techniques with increasing confidence and expertise 
Ensure characterisation and personality of dance styles are incorporated into and expressed in performances 
Further develop connectivity with partner to enable correct leading and following movements 
Incorporate movement flow, musicality, rhythm and correct timing into performances 
Coordinate position and movement between other dancers 
Continuously practise basic movements 
Maintain and update knowledge of social dance terminology 
Use feedback from teachers and mentors to identify and develop ways to improve own social dance performance skills 
Regularly view performances by industry practitioners as a way of sourcing new ideas and trends, and maintaining motivation 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUADAN310A - Increase depth of social dance technique
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

CUADAN310A - Increase depth of social dance technique

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: