The purpose of this study was to explore the objectives of elderly dance education and the role of instructors as perceived by elderly dance instructors based on their field experiences. To do this, 12 participants with at least 3 years of experience ...
The purpose of this study was to explore the objectives of elderly dance education and the role of instructors as perceived by elderly dance instructors based on their field experiences. To do this, 12 participants with at least 3 years of experience in elderly dance education and currently working as elderly dance instructors were selected, and data were collected through self-assessment using open-ended questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using Moustakas (1994)'s phenomenological analysis procedure to derive the research results. According to the research results, firstly, an analysis of the purpose of dance education perceived by elderly dance instructors revealed 33 meaning units, 7 themes, and 3 essential themes. The essential themes derived from the study were 'happy and enjoyable dance education,' 'dance education for self-actualization and self-expression,' and 'dance education to improve the quality of life.' Secondly, the analysis of the main focus of the instructor's role perceived by elderly dance instructors resulted in 25 meaning units, 7 themes, and 3 essential themes. The derived themes were 'creative teaching methods considering learners' characteristics,' 'close relationships and communication skills with learners,' and 'inclusive attitude and problem-solving ability in difficult situations.' The results of this study are expected to be utilized as useful information for prospective dance instructors and elderly facility workers who want to work in the field of elderly dance education, and as meaningful data for exploring ways to activate elderly dance education in the future super-aged society.