| I am trying to be serious and academic about this but | | | | methods that will allow teachers and coaches to take |
| the verb "chunking" is too funny. | | | | any arbitrary complex action that they want to |
| Brandeis University's Volen Center for Complex | | | | teach--like that series of dance steps or that perfect |
| Systems published a study "Monkey See Monkey Do". | | | | golf swing, and then re-package that action into |
| It attended to the lack of research on imitative learning, | | | | components that make for optimal learning." |
| which has apparently been neglected, in favor of | | | | If the researchers had watched a classical ballet, and |
| studies in verbal learning, even though we learn more | | | | then a ballet class, they would see a supreme |
| through imitation than by words. The study notes that: | | | | example of chunking. Don't you just love that word? All |
| "Several strategies may help leverage a learner's | | | | those pre-pointe routines make pointe work chunkable. |
| attention and motivate imitative learning. Organizing the | | | | The gazillion degages are chunking the aspired to, |
| motor skill practice is key. For example, Sekuler, an | | | | smooth, floating, gliding glissade. The stretchy, elastic, |
| expert on the neural and cognitive terrain of visual | | | | muscle-elicious fondu in adage are chunks of grand |
| memory, says that breaking down a behavioral | | | | allegro. |
| sequence into chunks can aid imitation learning, just as | | | | The quick footwork exercises at the ballet barre are |
| chunking can help us memorize a string of seemingly | | | | chunkettes of petit allegro. |
| unrelated digits or other material. Agam and Sekuler | | | | I do not mean to diss brain research but I find this |
| have their sights set on identifying strategies that | | | | hilarious. So please appreciate the careful chunking that |
| teachers and coaches could use to make complex | | | | your ballet teachers are so good at, in helping you |
| actions more "chunkable," and therefore easier to | | | | develop organized thought patterns, build neural |
| imitate. | | | | pathways and build strength in your ballet shoes and |
| The researchers' long-term goal is to devise simple | | | | pointe shoes. |