To Enhance Cultural Sensitivity, UNNES Students Teach Dance at Kesatrian 2 High School in Semarang

To enhance students’ cultural sensitivity, UNNES Lantip 5 students from the Dance Arts Education Study Program, Faculty of Arts and Culture, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), held a dance lesson from July 9 to September 3, 2025. The lesson began with a warm-up, an introduction to the material, and movement demonstrations, shifting the lecture format to hands-on practice and cultural appreciation sessions.

UNNES Lantip 5 student Yuli Winarsih said the lesson was structured as a workshop, allowing students to practice their movements using prepared dance props, such as masks, shields, and swords.

“The students were very enthusiastic about learning to create. Through this activity, they not only learned art but also demonstrated courage in expressing themselves, critical thinking, and a spirit of discussion. This method practiced movement techniques while also guiding students to understand the cultural context behind various dance props and motifs,” she said.

Students were guided by students who acted as facilitators, allowing for collaboration and feedback to occur directly in class. As a result, the learning space evolved into a creative space that strengthened students’ self-confidence, cooperation, and cultural sensitivity.

This activity demonstrates a good practice of integrating appreciation and creativity in a single session, and it is hoped that it can be replicated in other art classes. This interactive approach confirms that dance learning in schools can be more lively, inclusive, and relevant to students’ experiences.