Dance Tool at UNCC: Programming Loops Through Choreography

by Christie Thorntoncnthornt@uncc.edu

Dr. Tiffany BarnesTiffany.barnes@uncc.edu

Thomas Phiferthomasphifer@gmail.com

Rachel Brinkmanrbrinkm1@uncc.edu

Eve Powellempowell@uncc.edu

Motivation

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Scratch• MIT/UCLA• Drag and drop interface• Computer Clubhouse• Self Motivated

Breakdancer• Culturally Situated Design tool• Teaches Coordinates and

Degrees

Breakdancer

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Dance Tool

• K-12 Students• Teach Loops and Concepts

in Music• Dance Moves associated

with different body parts• Drag and drop moves into

loops

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Video

Implementation

Unity Game Engine

•3 Scripting Languages• Maya and Photoshop Files• Played in a Web Browser

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Code Modification

• Max and Maya into Same Class

• Edit Code to Conform to the FDD

• Documentation• XML

Chart

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Pilot Study

Hypothesis: After playing with Dance Tool, students will demonstrate a better understanding of loops as well as beats and measures•38 participants

•9 Female, 28 Male, 1 no response

•36 High School/Middle School

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Results from Dance Tool Survey

Statement

I enjoyed using Dance Tool

I was having fun most of the time while using this tool

I liked the overall appearance (look) of this tool

I wish I could do more with the Tool

Avg. Rating

4.00

3.97

4.23

4.07

Observations

•High School Boys•Excitement•Some Negative Energy•Engaged

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Future Work

• Loading Music• Deployment to Web• Character Design•Different Play Modes

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Take Away

• JavaScript• XML• Recursion•Unity Game Engine•Project Management

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Thanks To:

Dr. Tiffany BarnesTiffany.Barnes@uncc.edu

Eve Powellempowell@uncc.edu

Advisor

Grad Mentor

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