Psyche, challenge of body movement

Last November 23rd, in the Emilio Sierra auditorium in Fusagasugá, was the culmination of a learning process.

This closing ceremony was led by teacher Denis Mireya Gil, who belongs to the Faculty of Sports Science and Physical Education, and teaches the thematic core Expresiva Dos, Contemporary Dance.

There, on stage, before colleagues, students, and parents, the young people showcased their full potential for dance. “The goal of the activity was for the students to discover their own expressive movement patterns, whether for greeting, standing, or simply maintaining a balance, thereby improving their posture and reducing the risk of back pain. All of this is achieved through the practice of various techniques I taught them, which they can adopt or create their own based on that learning. Therefore, what the audience saw during the event was the culmination of this semester's work.”

The performance was divided into three stages, focusing on cognitive processes—the mental processes of human beings. “The first act, called Metaphor, explored the different meanings of the word psyche. The second act, Confusion, and the third, Clarity, covered the different emotional states of human beings. For this, they used background images projected onto screens, displaying symbols and icons related to these themes. In the final part, they discussed the meaning of spontaneity, bringing members of the audience together to interact and improvise. A total of thirty-seven students participated.”.

In this multidimensional learning environment, as described by the Transmodern Digital Educational Model, the students experienced various activities, solved problems through interaction, and gained valuable lessons. “Beyond the expected learning outcomes, this project improved self-esteem, confidence, and communication skills, since performing on stage and participating in this type of event is no easy feat. It's worth noting that parents, alumni, and teachers were all present as spectators and applauded the students. It's also important to point out that they are not professional dancers, yet they still delivered a high-quality performance.”.

For María Jimena Castellanos, a student pursuing a degree in basic education with an emphasis on physical education, recreation, and sports, this experience provided valuable lessons on both a personal and professional level. “This was the culmination of the Expressive Two course, Contemporary Dance. The process was long and arduous, during which we worked with the instructor throughout the semester on the entire topic of body expression. It also allowed us to demonstrate to a segment of the community, who disparagingly claim that we just spend our time playing and dancing, that this isn't true. For example, behind this performance, there is a serious effort that is part of a pedagogical process.”.

Regarding what this multidimensional field of learning contributed to her experience, María Jimena is emphatic. ”This class taught me to trust myself and to have proper coordination between music and dance. I also learned about teamwork and leadership.”.

Meanwhile, for Ferney Borda, who is studying the same degree as María Jimena, this experience allowed her to put into practice the theory she had learned from Professor Denis Gil. “Through interaction with the professor and my classmates, I was able to connect the concepts I received in the classroom with real-world situations, which was important in my learning process.”.

But the praise for this multidimensional learning experience doesn't end there. “I had never worked on a production of this magnitude. In addition to dancing, I was also the editor and composer of the music for the images that appeared on screen. All of this gave me knowledge that I know will serve me for the rest of my life.”.

In this way, the University of Cundinamarca trains students under the premise of MEDIT, which speaks of educating a transhuman person, for life, democratic values, civility and freedom, where one moves from an education for doing and work to one for being.

More news from the Fusagasugá campus at the News Agency