Validation of the kinetic chain assessment and learning computerised system for Cantonese opera movement

After the return of sovereignty of Hong Kong to China in 1997, cultivation of Chinese culture in Hong Kong has become an agenda of the government. The education and community sectors are encouraged to help with the issue through all formal and informal learning activities. Since then, Cantonese opera has been promoted in Hong Kong schools and the society by the government and the community sectors for such purpose. While quite a number of schools have included Cantonese opera in their formal curricula and co-curricular activities, some community Cantonese opera troupes have started to organize weekend classes for children and juveniles. However, it is common to see students practicing without the supervision of their teachers, which implies that immediate feedback from teachers is unavailable. This presentation will report part of a study which aims to promote the assessment of, for, and as learning of movement of Cantonese Opera with the development of the Computerised Kinetic Chain Assessment and Learning System (CKCALS), using the Kinect as the instrument to captures and calibrates the coordinates and angles of skeletal joints of learners’ performing Cantonese Opera movements, compares them with the standard set by the experts, and provides instant feedback, both qualitative and quantitative, for learner’s subsequent learning. This presentation will report the validation result of CKCALS, in which 50 persons of different age ranges and levels of experience in Cantonese Opera are recruited to perform six sets of movements with the system. The assessment results generated by the system are checked against the scores given by three Cantonese Opera masters. Inter-judge reliability will be used to test the reliability of the CKCALS with a comparison among the System and the three experts. The findings will validate the CKCALS and hopefully change the teaching and learning practice of Cantonese opera in Hong Kong with application of technology. The change may also provide insights for teachers of Cantonese opera who have traditionally relied on face-to-face teaching and learning. The adoption of new technology may help evolving of the learning ecosystem of the traditional art form in Hong Kong, which may improve the learning effectiveness and efficiency.