[Tango-L] Discussion Topics

[Jake Spatz (TangoDC.com)]

I wholeheartedly agree with Chris (UK)'s points. Teaching is up to the 
teacher, and nothing is inevitable.

As for learning, that is the student's burden-- regardless of the 
teacher's presentation-- and I'm very much in favor of taking notes. I 
used to merely *say* this all the time, and eventually realized it was 
hot air. So, three months ago, I went to a dollar-store, bought 60 cheap 
notebooks and pens (total bill: $15), and offered them for free during a 
group class. I repeated this week after week. I still have most of that 
stack, but several people have started taking notes diligently, even 
during class.

A few days ago, one of my note-taking students was describing to me the 
different methods of notation he's gone through, the trial-n-error 
experience of putting things into his own words, and so forth. The 
little diagrams, etc. It's not such a struggle; he was speaking with 
delight.

That, to me, is the reason to take a class in the first place-- tackling 
the material as ourselves. As students, we have to translate the lesson 
into our own terms; and we have to take some initiative if we're to 
retain the material. Some of it sticks immediately, with experienced 
students; much doesn't, but that doesn't mean it must be lost without a 
fight.

My own note-taking has led to a lot of analysis, and has influenced the 
way I teach and the way I dance. It leads to reflection and speculation; 
it generates exact questions; it produces a record. I find it an act 
both critical and creative. I don't blow my nose on those who watch 
videos or anything, but that's quite a different activity. That's 
watching TV, unless you take notes on the videos too. And I don't think 
it's fair to criticize any teacher without having *studied* what they 
taught.

I also recommend taking notes on yoga, cinema, music, cuisine, your 
life-- everything. There is no good argument against it, compared to the 
arguments for it.

Jake Spatz
Washington, DC