The Effectiveness of a Music and Movement Program for Traditional Dance Teaching on Primary School Students’ Intrinsic Motivation and Self - Reported Patterns of Lesson Participation

Research evidence on traditional dance teaching has shown how important it is for primary school education to institute reforms and present new ways of intervention in order to contribute effectively to the overall development of the child's personality. The aim of this research is a) to demonstrate the effectiveness of a music and movement instructional program on traditional dance learning, in terms of primary school students patterns of self-reported positive learning experiences and active lesson participation and b) to examine its impact on students’ internal motivation to play and dance with a more enjoyable and creative mood. During a period of six months 80 students (34 boys and 46 girls) aged between 9-10 years old, took part in the research. They were divided into two groups, the experimental group (N = 40) and control group (N = 40). The experimental group was taught Greek traditional dances according to a Music and Movement teaching model, while the control group was taught the same dances with a direct teaching model. The impact of the two models on students’ motivation to participate actively during the lesson was tested with the use of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). The results showed that the use of Music and Movement teaching models can have a positive impact on students’ intrinsic motivation and active participation in the course of traditional dance.