SHORTY GEORGE:
Stompin’ at the Savoy
An Adaptive Learning Guide
By Melissa Cheung and
Daniel Rivas
CS377e • 13 December 2000
Rationale
• We enjoy swing dancing and its music.
• We feel that having a personal
knowledgeable tutor would be a great
resources.
• Many people aren’t able to get to dances
classes because of resources, time, or
embarrassment.
• Target population: swing dancers, pre-teen
and up.
• Curriculum: music, history, dances, and
Persona: Shorty George
• He’s a cool kat with a passion for swing.
• He’s a historical figure from the dance era.
• He a comical, spunky, and like to dance
around.
• He likes to tell stories about his friends and
the Savoy Ballroom, where he used to dance.
• He’s amazed by technology.
• He’s patient, enjoys teaching and is always
cooool.
Learner Model
• Learners are classified by:
– Dance expertise level (novice, intermediate,
expert)
– Musical preferences (blues, big band, modern,
etc.)
– Dance style (Lindy Hop, Hollywood Style, Hustle,
Hip Hop, etc.)
– Pace of music (slow, fast, beats per minute)
– Learning Style (visual feet map, video, text, audio
announcement of steps)
– Lead/Follow
Learner Model
• Learners recognized by:
–
–
–
–
Preferences stated by user.
Cookies for identifying user.
Progress feedback while learning steps.
Feedback when Shorty asks preferences about
music or dance.
– Monitoring where and when user goes in the site.
Pedagogical Model
• Acts as a dance trainer and advisor
• Uses direct instruction and guided
exploration.
• Encourages musical, kinesthetic, verbal, and
logical intelligences.
• Encourages mastery, understanding, and
self-expressive learning.
• Offers encouragement and feedback.
Curriculum Model
• Exploratory or guided tour
– Music, artists, dances, history
– Each is a branching organization
– Shorty can give a scripted story or point to
interesting facts or examples
• Step-by-Step Dance Modules
– Explains dance steps, plays music, counts off
beats, shows examples in user’s learning style
preference
– Shorty suggests music, additional steps, or video
to enhance learning.
Evaluation
• Success of Shorty is based on:
– If a user returns visits to the site.
– How much of the site is explored.
– If a user demonstrates curiosity by asking
questions.
– If a user is willing to recommend Shorty to
a friend by giving emails.
Flim Clip: A Day at the Races (1937)
QuickTime™ and a
Cinepak decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
•This is a clip from a Marx bro
movies called a Day at the R
•Those hep cats can move! T
some of my friends, Norma
and Leon James.
•The Lindy Hop's an 8 count
that evolved out of the Char
You can see they still do som
Tell Me More about the Video
Flim Clip: A Day at the Races (1937)
QuickTime™ and a
Cinepak decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
•A Marx Brothers Movie
•Dance choreographed by Franking
•Dance troupe performing is Whitey
Lindy Hoppers
•Some Dancers to look for:
•Norma Miller and Leon James
•Snook Beasley and Wille Mae Ric
•Ella Gibson and George Grendige
•This scene, like many dance scen
during this time period, has no co
to the actual plot of the film. This w
the scenes could be easily cut ou
versions to be shown in segregate
Lindy Hop Moves: Swing Out
with Spin Out
Video Clip
QuickTime™ and a
Sorenson Video decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
FOLLOWER (That’s you cool kat.)
1. Start in open position
2. Do a basic swing out to count 4
3. On count 4, the leader will put y
right hand down and behind you
4. On count 5, the leader will take
right hand behind your back wit
right hand.
5. Counts 6-8, you unwind.
6. On count 8, the leader changes
Lindy Hop Moves: Swing Out with Spin O
Feet Map
FOLLOWER in red
Count 1:
Rock step back with the right f
Lindy Hop Moves: Swing Out with Spin O
Feet Map
FOLLOWER in red
Count 2:
•Complete rock step by steppin
on your left foot.
•You can also do swivels in pla
a rock step on one and two.
Lindy Hop Moves: Swing Out with Turn
Feet Map
FOLLOWER in red
Count 3:
•Cross your right foot over the
•You should be turned about 90
from your starting position.
•You partner will put his right ha
on your back.
Lindy Hop Moves: Swing Out with Turn
Feet Map
FOLLOWER in red
Count 3 and-:
•Uncross by bringing your left f
•Keep your body facing your pa
•You partner’s hand should be
your back.
The Jitterbug Stroll
Audio Clip
Play>
Knee slap, knee slap
Shorty George
Knee slap, knee slap
Shorty George