Having read through the reflection section of the course reader which is provided for us, it has helped me begin to write this first paragraph. I have always found reflection a hard subject to elaborate on, however this time I have my blogs to look through and notice regular patterns that have emerged.
When asked to be specific on these patterns I would start with how I am very used to taking about people around me. People around me that have effected my networks to be what they are today. The sources of my information have mainly all come from the use of the internet which doesn't come at much of a surprise to many. The internet has a knowledge that no human could ever retain or deliver, I guess that's why is exists. Using it on a regular basis is not a bad thing, but on reflection I think I could try harder to find alternatives to the internet.
The engagement that I have on the course I would admit seems slightly limited solely down to my working schedule which I have well documented in my blogs. I know that the course is doable because I have friends who have completed it with similar work commitments as myself. Don't get me wrong, i would love to have 2-3 days a week where I could just focus on the BAPP's and nothing else but those 2-3 day have been reduced to about 2-3 hours a night. I have planned my own schedule well in that I will make sure I do all my background reading first and take notes as I go, ready to blog that night. I feel that looking ahead I may need to take some time off work to concentrate on this chapter of my studying life as I do feel great disappointment that I have not been able to make any of the Skype sessions or campus meetings. I hope that this will not affect me in any way but it certainly makes me more determined to get my blogging up to date and keep my mind focused on all the tasks.
A good friend of mine completed this exact course a couple of years ago and occasionally texts me to remind me of any help that she may assist with, she would be more than happy to give me. It is very comforting to have that extra external support however I am yet to take her up on the offer, not for any other reason but just to have the satisfaction that I can do it myself. I am sure when I next see her it will be topic of conversation but sharing my ideas with someone who has been through the same experience will be motivating for me to keep going and not get dragged behind due to work commitments. Helping out/volunteering for the dance students has allowed me to apply some of the theories which we have discussed into my own professional practice. It has been extremely helpful speaking to my old teachers about the course and what the latest subjects are. They have a broader knowledge on the teaching side of things and that information to me is invaluable because I know that they have been successful so it encourages me to gage more from them. I have spoken with my teachers about the concerns that I have discussed and they have only offered me support when it is needed and nothing else. They have suggested that I take a few weeks off from the school so that I can go home and get the work completed without feeling exhausted the next day.
I have used my blog to catch up on any discussions that I may have missed this way I am connecting with my fellow students, some who have expressed the same concerns as me. This has been helpful along with the Facebook group which i have recently joined too. A way of social networking that has brought our thoughts and ideas together has been a great help and seems to have eased my stress levels!
Having shared ideas with all my networks, it does allow me to think slightly differently and having mentioned the time off from the school that I am going to have, I feel more organised in what I have to complete. Having started the course slightly later than the majority I feel I still want to be ready before the deadline. This requires organisation and only I can be the one to do that. Having the help and support from the tutors has been amazing, really couldn't get through it without them!
Having the reflection be apart of this module is important to me because I can be critical of my own work and not feel disheartened by it. I think being in the dance industry and being turned down time after time at audition stages you begin to doubt yourself, but this is a totally new spin on it and it helps me progress for the future modules which is what will overall help me to success. Not only in my student days should reflection be important, I think it is valuable for all professionals to do it. It outlines areas that need improvement and other areas which you can be proud of. For me, looking back I want to start blogging more than I normally have been doing. Not just focusing on the tasks that the course sets us but maybe on the news or issues that I find interesting. I love to engage other peoples thoughts and there no better way of doing that but through blogging - told you i had fallen in love with it!
The theories and concepts that have been provides during the whole module so far have been assisting my thinking in different ways. It has allowed me to use the research and extra reading tools provided to back my ideas and thoughts up through my blogs. I have never realised how networking is within everyones life. For example I know it is because after reading the reader I understood it in a different way. I would have just been writing about how I have lots of friend and family from all walks of my life. Not linking it with the concept of networking. This has purpose to me as it has broaden my knowledge and I love to learn, especially when its subjects which you are familiar with but not even knowing it... if that makes sense?! It has definitely left me thinking slightly differently and this is because I have a range of activities that I perform on a weekly basis. This is involves coming into contact with different people all the time and I have noticed how I act around them. For example, being the teacher in my fitness classes I am in control and have the knowledge, being a volunteer at the school is a completely different dynamic and I do communicate and affiliate differently. I have thought about all the subjects covered and translated it into my professional life and practice which has been a real eye opener.
Sunday 10 May 2015
3C -Sources of information
Having just completed the London Marathon, working full time as a fitness instructor, helping out at my old state school with the GCSE and A level Dance students, I sit back on my only day off (Sundays) and reflect on my week. Whats been good, and equally whats been bad. All in all, I wouldn't be able to complete my week without my down time which is needed so desperately to recover and get ready for the week again starting Monday. Like I outlined in task 3b, the cycle of my life is repetitive but I also know I'm going to have a few challenges thrown at me to keep my life interesting!
Having thought about my sources of information which I rely on, it took me a while to create a top five as I mapped out around 10 that I use on a daily basis. For this I went away had a bit of lunch and came back again with a fresh mind and focused on what I really couldn't live without.
Obvious to us all Web 2.0 has been the platform that provides us all with information that we need instantly. As we spoke about it in the first couple of tasks and we all blogged about the different areas that the web provides us with - as a whole I don't believe we would be as advanced as we are without it. I have the web to thank for getting me on this course, searching on the Internet for alternative career pursuits became a daily routine and then i stumbles across the BAPPs course application. The rest is history.....
So I have narrowed my top 5 as listed below;
My Smart Phone;
Losing my mobile phone is like loosing my left hand, it would be nearly impossible to cope without it (always get insurance!!). It provides me with everything I need on a daily basis. Phone book - all my contacts, all my networks in one place. I have everyone I need at the touch of a button.
Apps - All the apps I have downloaded provide me with information such as where the nearest coffee shop is(always essential when travelling) or taking me straight to social media sights such as Instagram or Facebook to upload the latest images from my day.
Video Calling - this is an amazing asset to the smart phones and having family all across the world it really is amazing how I can connect with them at all times of the day and more importantly see there faces.
Email - Having my emails come through on my smart phone is essential when you have possible prospects or business ventures. It is always so much more professional to reply to an email within a few hours - obviously depending on its importance, but if you were out all day and came home to a thousand emails you would feel stressed and unorganised.
I have my phone on me at all times of the day - as previously mentioned it plays a big part in my networking and will continue to throughout life. The more people who have my number and email the more broader my connections will become.
Google;
Google is a global search engine that provides all information that you will need. I use this search engine most days for numerous amounts of things. Thinking back to when I was younger, my mum and dad would say; ' you wait, the Internet is going to take over the world' and now I have come to realise that they were right. They did not have this luxury which we take for granted from day to day. It allows you to find exactly what you want at the click of a button. Amazing really when you think about the technicalities but wow what would we do without it now! I would use Google mostly to find out information on a specific subject, for example throughout my BAPP's course google has been a massive influence on what I have researched as it has guided me to the right places. I know this search engine will always play a big part in my sources of information.
Youtube;
I would say that I use YouTube mainly for ideas relating to my work. Like google, it provides me with information but in the format of a video. Visual learning as mentioned previously in my blogs are a favourite of mine and I know I do rely on this source quite a bit.
Typing into the search engine something like 'new dance routines 2015' will pop up with hundreds of dance routines which range from all ages and dance styles. It is something I know the students have been using a lot within their recent research as it is easy to use and so efficient. YouTube has allowed people to start careers over the amounts of views on one single video. Look at Justin Bieber for example - one upload has now taken him to stardom and all because of this video service on the internet,
Family and Friends;
My Mum and Dad are my soul sources of information. They are the people who I always turn to for advice or help in most situations. Whether it would be what career path to pursue or how to steam clean my kitchen floor properly - they have the knowledge and guidance to help me make the right decision. Because they are my parents of course I trust them which is why naturally I turn to them. Friends have the same effect, more so the friends who I have been through something with. Advice on a dance job I would call my close friends who I went to Dance college with, or worked with aboard the ships. It all depends on the situation of course but somehow I have formed amazing support networks around me who help me source information for my day to day life and further pursuits. I would say that this will help me continue in making my professional networks grow as I carry on into the future of teaching,
Blogs;
This type of source has only recently become a reliable information point as before the BAPP's course, I can honestly say I hadn't read a blog. Amazingly so, its now made my top 5! I have chosen it because it has obviously played a huge role in my development of understanding the Web 2.0 and another side of what it offers. Having other peoples views and opinions on the same subject has been so helpful and refreshing, and is why I am really beginning to fall in love with blogging. It has made me realise how people who do this for a living must really love their jobs! I have stared following people who blog about teaching, fitness advice, home and gardening experts and find myself reading blogs as a way of shutting off from my usual busy routine.
All these sources of information is what has got me where I am today - as i mentioned earlier, there are many other sources that I use but these 5 are most definitely the most important to me at the moment.
I look forward to reading everyone's sources of information and see how they compare to mine!
Thanks,
S x
Having thought about my sources of information which I rely on, it took me a while to create a top five as I mapped out around 10 that I use on a daily basis. For this I went away had a bit of lunch and came back again with a fresh mind and focused on what I really couldn't live without.
Obvious to us all Web 2.0 has been the platform that provides us all with information that we need instantly. As we spoke about it in the first couple of tasks and we all blogged about the different areas that the web provides us with - as a whole I don't believe we would be as advanced as we are without it. I have the web to thank for getting me on this course, searching on the Internet for alternative career pursuits became a daily routine and then i stumbles across the BAPPs course application. The rest is history.....
So I have narrowed my top 5 as listed below;
My Smart Phone;
Losing my mobile phone is like loosing my left hand, it would be nearly impossible to cope without it (always get insurance!!). It provides me with everything I need on a daily basis. Phone book - all my contacts, all my networks in one place. I have everyone I need at the touch of a button.
Apps - All the apps I have downloaded provide me with information such as where the nearest coffee shop is(always essential when travelling) or taking me straight to social media sights such as Instagram or Facebook to upload the latest images from my day.
Video Calling - this is an amazing asset to the smart phones and having family all across the world it really is amazing how I can connect with them at all times of the day and more importantly see there faces.
Email - Having my emails come through on my smart phone is essential when you have possible prospects or business ventures. It is always so much more professional to reply to an email within a few hours - obviously depending on its importance, but if you were out all day and came home to a thousand emails you would feel stressed and unorganised.
I have my phone on me at all times of the day - as previously mentioned it plays a big part in my networking and will continue to throughout life. The more people who have my number and email the more broader my connections will become.
Google;
Google is a global search engine that provides all information that you will need. I use this search engine most days for numerous amounts of things. Thinking back to when I was younger, my mum and dad would say; ' you wait, the Internet is going to take over the world' and now I have come to realise that they were right. They did not have this luxury which we take for granted from day to day. It allows you to find exactly what you want at the click of a button. Amazing really when you think about the technicalities but wow what would we do without it now! I would use Google mostly to find out information on a specific subject, for example throughout my BAPP's course google has been a massive influence on what I have researched as it has guided me to the right places. I know this search engine will always play a big part in my sources of information.
Youtube;
I would say that I use YouTube mainly for ideas relating to my work. Like google, it provides me with information but in the format of a video. Visual learning as mentioned previously in my blogs are a favourite of mine and I know I do rely on this source quite a bit.
Typing into the search engine something like 'new dance routines 2015' will pop up with hundreds of dance routines which range from all ages and dance styles. It is something I know the students have been using a lot within their recent research as it is easy to use and so efficient. YouTube has allowed people to start careers over the amounts of views on one single video. Look at Justin Bieber for example - one upload has now taken him to stardom and all because of this video service on the internet,
Family and Friends;
My Mum and Dad are my soul sources of information. They are the people who I always turn to for advice or help in most situations. Whether it would be what career path to pursue or how to steam clean my kitchen floor properly - they have the knowledge and guidance to help me make the right decision. Because they are my parents of course I trust them which is why naturally I turn to them. Friends have the same effect, more so the friends who I have been through something with. Advice on a dance job I would call my close friends who I went to Dance college with, or worked with aboard the ships. It all depends on the situation of course but somehow I have formed amazing support networks around me who help me source information for my day to day life and further pursuits. I would say that this will help me continue in making my professional networks grow as I carry on into the future of teaching,
Blogs;
This type of source has only recently become a reliable information point as before the BAPP's course, I can honestly say I hadn't read a blog. Amazingly so, its now made my top 5! I have chosen it because it has obviously played a huge role in my development of understanding the Web 2.0 and another side of what it offers. Having other peoples views and opinions on the same subject has been so helpful and refreshing, and is why I am really beginning to fall in love with blogging. It has made me realise how people who do this for a living must really love their jobs! I have stared following people who blog about teaching, fitness advice, home and gardening experts and find myself reading blogs as a way of shutting off from my usual busy routine.
All these sources of information is what has got me where I am today - as i mentioned earlier, there are many other sources that I use but these 5 are most definitely the most important to me at the moment.
I look forward to reading everyone's sources of information and see how they compare to mine!
Thanks,
S x
References for task 3B
Module 1 Reader 3 BAPP Arts
Axelrod , R (1984) pages xi -xiv
Crisp, J & Turner, R (2007), Pages 266 - 268
Lave and Wenger (1991 pp. 98-100)
Tarweek (1988)
www.acting-man.com - in reference to the prisoners theory
Crotty M.(2005)
O'Connor & Rosenblood (1996 pp267)
3B Theories relating to networking
It took me a while to read through the concepts of the Professional Network in order for it to sink in my mind and fully understand it. In the handbook it suggests you to give time for each concept to settle in your mind before beginning reviewing, this has allowed me to sustain the information and apply it to what will help offer me in my professional life.
Cooperation;
Cooperation;
'cooperation -noun
the action or process of working together to the same end.'
We would all agree that in order to achieve any success when working with others, cooperation is vital. When looking at this concepts deeper meaning, it explores ideas which are closely related with the Game Theory. As previously mentioned, it took some time for this theory to sink in. I understood the history of how one person can succeed at another persons expense - I feel we see this a lot in today's society, however when it touches the economic and biology side of things it did take me some time to understand.
Axelrod (1984) identified the importance of cooperation and expressed it through the success of two books;
'complexity of cooperation' and the sequel 'Evolution of cooperation.'
When reading extracts from the 'Evolution of Cooperation', Axelrod discusses the problem that people face when dealing/cooperating with others. If person A feels a decision will help person B but person B will not cooperate, there will inevitably be a disappointing outcome. However if both A and B cooperate and make the same decision, success for both will be the outcome. The whole game theory is suggesting that our behaviour will always be determined by our interactions with others within a particular environment. Axelrod is clear on how the patterns of interactions produce effective outcomes and relates this as whats known as the perplexing game of 'Prisioners Dilemma'. See below an image which is associated with this theory to help people understand the concept;
I found this image on google under the webpage http://www.acting-man.com/?p=34313 and this interestingly shows other images or situations where this is applied.
As I have now got this concept fully in my mind, relating it to my own personal circumstances was quite hard as I wouldn't put myself to be only looking out for myself and dis guard others. I have be brought up in a way that I feel is the right way to behave towards other colleagues, and that's to be civil and nice to others I work with is very important. In contrast to this, there have been situations though my dancing career where i had to become competitive and think only for myself, by pushing to the front of the audition room in order to be noticed. I see this differently because all those other people in the room would have been doing exactly the same because we don't know each other, and at that moment we are not working together, so why would I be considerate to others? This type of side that comes out in me I always felt was necessary to get what I wanted... a call back, or a job. I wouldn't be there to make friends or stand at the back to let the other people be seen over me because I have worked hard to get where I want to be. Having had this thought in my mind I asked myself the question ' do I only act like that in a dance related environment because that is my passion?' for example I wouldn't barge someone out of the way when queing to get on the bus....I would wait my turn and if there's no room ill wait for another one.
Axelrod said that 'a point worth stressing at the onset is that this approach differs from that of Sociobiology. Sociobiology is based on the assumption that important aspects of human behaviour are guided by our genetic inheritance' so I can understand why questions may be asked about a person acting in a certain way because they have been born that way, or do they just change depending on the situation.
Looking into the future I feel my networks that I am close with such as fellow dancers, dance students and teachers will help me understand the cooperation needed to succeed in challenges and tasks that may face us.
Affliation;
'affiliation- noun
- the state or process of affiliating or being affiliated'Why do humans such as ourselves form close relationships with others? Do we need other people in our lives in order to be successful? Is it a comfort knowing that someone is always there and the end of the phone if ever you need them?When reading up on affiliation in reader 3 I came to understand that the word itself has been formed in the field of social psychology, which brings me onto Crisp & Turner. They both deliver a review on how the processes through our brain is what allows us to build a network that we know and us as a help and support devise. Crisp, J Turner,R.(2007) Page 266 asks the question 'why are we social creatures in the first place?' Before I explored more of the article I paused and thought about those questions which I have asked at the beginning of this affiliation section. For me, yes to all the above - I like the thought of having all my friends and family close by me or easy enough to contact if I ever were to need them and as for work colleagues, I personally would like to have a good relationship with them in order to succeed in what I do.The privacy regulation theory (Altman 1975) explores the idea how we use optimization principle as a way of balancing the level of contact that we want with others around us. It explains ' If we have too little contact, we feel isolated, but if we have too much contact, we feel crowded'. I can relate to this theory of affiliation when I worked aboard the cruise ships and I would find myself feeling very alone and home sick, and I would sometimes just sit in my cabin alone and want to cry because I felt so isolated. However on the flip side to that, when it was a busy day of rehearsals and you have been around the same people for 9 months day in day out, I just wanted to run away and be alone as i did indeed feel too crowded.(O'Connor & Rosenblood, 1996) explained the differences in everyone's desire towards affliction by the 'social affiliation model' and this has been shown through whats known as homeostasis. When talking and writing about this theory within a theory, it has made me realised how biological terminology creeps up when talking about something that at first seemed so basic. Not that I didn't understand the terms used when reading up and researching, but it did interest me more coming from a sports science and fitness background. O'Connor & Rosenblood used a simple task of pagers that buzzed every so often and recorded the level of contact and desirable contact at the times when it buzzed. This got me thinking and I wondered if a similar study that could be used with working professionals would have the same results? This study could be performed to anyone during a day at the office.Let's say we broke it up into sections, for example mid morning, lunch and mid afternoon. At all the points during the day when did you feel the most affiliated? I find this interesting as the results of original study taken out by O'Connor & Rosenblood showed that most participants felt they interacted at a preferred level and this shows how they all regulated their own effective affiliation. Looking now ever deeper into the biology of this, Johnson and colleagues (1999) explore the meanings of introverts and extroverts and how this relates to affiliation. It makes perfect sense really, they explain how introverts - quiet, timid, grey people have a higher rate of arousal within them and therefore do not crave lots of contact or interaction with others. Then you have the opposite, extroverts who have low levels of arousal and crave the attention and desire of lots of people around them at all times. As a performer I feel I am extrovert, as most performers are, and I do remember always ending a show feeling that amazing high and adrenaline rush because people were on their feet applauding me and all my other cast mates. Performers are used to being around lots of people all the time, looking at sports professionals, single sports events like long distance runners are always alone mentally, focusing on the finish line these are introverts because they do not need other people in order to succeed.This is where I conclude my understanding of affiliation, and I must say I have really enjoyed the reading aspect of this theory because there was so much to it. Personally I know I where I fit in, as mentioned previously through dance and performance I used the people around me as a safety net - if other people can do it then so can I. Making friends along the way has always been a bonus - I have friends who I met 3 years ago aboard the cruise ships and will always remain close because of what we achieved together. My professional networking may take me into different career paths and I think affiliating will play a huge role in becoming successful along the way.Theory of connectivitySocial Constructionsim;'Social constructionism or the social construction of reality (also social concept) is a theory of knowledge in sociology and communication theory that examines the development of jointly constructed understandings of the world.'I have often found myself wondering how things become apparent to us in everyday life. Who makes up or 'constructs' networks to what they become and how do we just understand them? Why is the sky called the sky? Because we were told that at school, or our parents taught us this. As we get older we understand our own understanding of terms within our profession because we deal with it every single day. That's why the first day at a new job is always so daunting because you are entering a new network where all new meanings are alien to you. However 2 - 3 months in you adapt and have added to this network. I have felt this way in every single job I have started. Its probably the worst feeling not knowing what to do, but once you settle in and start to enjoy it, you realise that you can't actually remember 'not knowing' what to do because it now all feels so natural. In relation to this, we all interact to make meanings, whether it is asking a question to understand, or contributing towards a new idea that will be brought into the business or company. This is a selfless act because it is our desire and duty to add towards this network.Crotty (2005) states 'according to constructionism we do not create meaning, we construct meaning. We have something to work with. What we have to work with is the world and objects in the world.' This is a statement which can apply to everyone in all walks of life. Having previously spoken about interaction towards the construction of a meaning, it can also been seen in the opposite effect and can be seen a pre-determination. This I know is also very common, whereby the person or people involved will have an ulterior motive which is the end product and they don't care what they have to do in order to get to it. This could mean mixing in and interacting with a network just make them look good. Some people are lucky to have that drive and determination. I also think these types of people must not have affiliated with others in a friendship way, but affiliated with others to get what they want. It shows how all these theories interlink with one another and makes the subject so elaborate.
Connectivism:
'A Learning Theory for the Digital Age'
When beginning to understand the theory of connectivism I immediately thought of the Internet. I am finding that using blogs, google, and even social media sights to connect with other students has what has been the base line of my BAPPs experience. Having felt so lucky to have all these ways to connect and more importantly share with each other has really meant i have been able to produce well rounded and critically reflective work. Ultimately, this will have helped my professional practise already but even more importantly is the fact that it will continue to be aided as i am sure many of us will continue to share our views and opinions on any professional practise related issues. The theory of connectivism really provides an explanation about how networks provide the means for individuals to connect and learn from and within the network. It has therefore become apparent to me that learning about my professional practise comes from gaining knowledge form teacher to student, but me being the student i will have to modify this.
Siemens, G (2004) talks about connectivism form the very beginning of when we learn at school, relating our student and teacher knowledge vital to what will become a career to last a life time. Gonzalez (2004) states “One of the most persuasive factors is the shrinking half-life of knowledge. The “half-life of knowledge” is the time span from when knowledge is gained to when it becomes obsolete. Half of what is known today was not known 10 years ago. The amount of knowledge in the world has doubled in the past 10 years and is doubling every 18 months according to the American Society of Training and Documentation (ASTD). To combat the shrinking half-life of knowledge, organisations have been forced to develop new methods of deploying instruction.' So he is explaining how over time the life of knowledge has changes and developed so much because we learn from new professionals everyday. I know that for sure 10 years ago I would have no idea about politics, but as I've got older and read the newspaper or watched the news on the television (other ways of connecting) I now can outline the basics due to the life knowledge which I have gained. This will be apparent throughout your profession no matter what it may become.
I agree with how Siemens is pointing out that the starting point of connectivism is the individual, and that the personal knowledge that is fed into an organisation is comprised of a network. This would relate to me in all walks of life as the starting point for my passion for dance has had to come from me. The networks within dance are hard to get to grips with when you first graduate and feel ready to take on any challenge, when you find your feet and start to affiliate with the same people you feel connected in your world.
Communities of practice:
'A community of practice (CoP) is, according to cognitive anthropologists Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger, a group of people who share a craft and/or a profession'
Absorbing all the information of the theory behind communities of practice, I have understood that in life everyone will have their own 'life communities'. So for instance, everyone has there different circles of friends whether it be through work, socially or family. Each play a part in order for these friendships and relationships to stay alive and strong.
Lave & Wenger (1991) suggest 'within a community of practice there is a reproduction cycle' so that no matter what happens you have to keep repeating what is successful in order for this success to continue. Through my background reading on this subject I came to understand this more when Traweek (1988) relates this to schooling. So for example as a new teacher who has just has to follow a new curriculum, they may find it hard to relate as they have new sources of information which they have to relay to students and in a way that helps them understand and more importantly pass there exams. Relating this to teachers within the Dance curriculum, I know that they have a handful of choreographic pieces which the students have to study and every couple of years they rotate the pieces so that the students do not study the same as those who did a few years prior. Obvioulsy as time goes on, you as a teacher feels more confident with this pattern and you enter the cycle which Lave & Wenger were referring to.
Through life communities you usually have contrasting reasons as why you may have come together with other people. Through mutual interests like dancing, acting, singing classes that you attend as a youngster which then develop into drama and dance colleges that you attend to pursue your passion for an art. The people who you are surrounded by whether it be teachers or students, all have the same desire and love for that particular hobby. Natuarlly you begin to form a community. On the other side to this, working in a bank will pull all different types of people together - not necessarily having and sharing the same interests but you have to begin to form a strong cycle in order to gain success. It could be working towards hitting a target or promotion for your team, either way that bond you form with your colleagues is essential towards your community practice.
I have learnt that as I gain further knowledge towards the dance teacher route through this course and volunteering, I hope to start building on my networks and recognising my communities of practice and what they provide to help me in my future.
Tuesday 5 May 2015
Task 3A Current Networks
Focusing inwardly on my own current networks, I would admit that over time it has most definitely changed.
During my dance college days we were always encouraged to have the monthly addition of 'The Stage' magazine with all the information about auditions and prospects for aspiring dancers like we were. It was always a good read and I did used to enjoy it coming every month. Open auditions were usually advertised in there along with write ups on new shows that had hit the West End. I would like to mention that this magazine is one of many that provides useful sources and information for all types of performers, not just Dance. It certainly got its point across when you would be 1 out of 600 people that used to turn up to an open audition in the middle of London! I can safely say I do not miss those days!
As I left college and went straight aboard the cruise ships (this was due to a private audition held at my dance college) I was naive to the world of auditioning and networking that happens. Using the big wide web opened my eyes into websites and companies such as 'Dancers Pro' and 'Spotlight'. Friends of mine who were not lucky enough to go straight into a dancing job would tell me which sites were better than others but to join up to as many as possible in order to get as many auditions thrown out at you. So therefore the beauty that is Web 2.0 became my best friend that I turned to each day and dedicated most of my life to! Signing up to as many online agencies as I could and attending as many auditions as possible! Moving on from the Web 2.0 I then was lucky enough to join a professional agent in London who I would meet every so often with a new song that I had to sing or a dance class for them to watch to make sure I was still up to scratch, and this way I would be linked with auditions that they believed would suit me.
Having experienced all these types of networking in Dance, I felt the most beneficial way to work was having the professional agent who almost did the hard work for you, because although the online ones are constantly on the go and always updating you, you may turn up to an audition and it's only for blonde people and your brunette! (This has happened to me!) During my dancing days this Networking was vital to keep up to date with everything that is going on in the business, and keeps you in the loop. Nowadays I would be using a totally different way of networking due to my career path changing slightly.
Working within the fitness industry it has developed its own following though the obvious Web 2.0. For example, I have followed the trend like many do and set up a Facebook page specifically designed to promote and keep news updates regarding classes, Pilate's related information. This has proven to me that networking towards a specific audience is key to success. I follow many people on Facebook and Instagram who have pages designed to promote specifically towards there chosen area. One lady who I admire has worked her way through networking to promote her Yoga classes. This started with just short videos of sequences, or pictures throughout the day of different poses that she would be working on with a caption below which would usually go into some detail for people to try at home or encourage to google the closest place she would be holding classes. This then developed into a worldwide phenomenon that now travels her to all destinations across the world, where she will hold classes up to 100 people! Offering a range of exclusive retreats in Hawaii or a conference type set up where up to 100 people can attend in London. This lady is originally from Australia and has taken her own love for something to a business which travels all over the world. All thanks to her 1.3M followers on Instagram which allowed that platform for success. This kind of success is due to continual dedication to self promotion through the use of this networking which is what I admire.
Having looked at and focusing on the fitness side of things for the past 5 years of my life along with Dance, it has allowed me to have two minds about how social networking is used. As I said previously I think that Fitness has and still is growing to be an important part in most peoples lives, new workout which makes you loose 10 lbs in a week, and all these ideas have to be available at the touch of a button. Having worked closely with dance students at the state school recently, this type of networking isn't really used in the same way. We have found in most lessons (especially GCSE) that the use of the Internet during your dance class is very limited. You may use it when you get home to explore and research ideas for the next essay which is due in but studying an Art which is more self aware. I believe in this particular circumstance the Teacher is the students network. Full of relevant information and ideas that the internet cannot provide them, or an Instagram photo can help with. I was witnessing a student struggle with creative movement towards a choreography task which had been set, after talking with the teacher and once given some ideas she was well away and found a sequence of steps within minutes, totally original.
As I am reflecting on all these types of networks that are available to dancers in particular I can see how the same motives are always appearing. They are out to target an audience and apply and deliver accurate information that will help the individual. Some are always focusing on helping find career opportunities and give you vital information such as travel, what you'll need to try and encourage you to have a successful day. Also you can find that with some of these networking devises, it helps and encourages you to meet others that have the same interests that you do.
In an ideal world if I was to create a network I would like it to be an App which people would download on there smart phones or iPads to which they have access to instantly. It would dance and fitness based information to help others with the same interests. I would need the help of other professionals in order to make this successful, but I would love to focus on fitness in dancers and cover all areas like nutrition and health tips, along with audition info and contacts for agencies etc. You have to start somewhere when developing ideas so using the Web 2.0 such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram is a fantastic way to begin and like we have mentioned platform you into success.
In many if not all walks of life people say the famous line of 'it is not what you know, it is who you know' and I believe that using my current methods of Social media certainly gets the ball rolling to know/follow the right people for what I am looking for.
Focusing more on the teaching side of Dance, as previously mentioned having a close working relationship with someone who has had years of experience in this field is vital for me to be able to learn. My current networking system is my old dance teacher who I one day aspire to be for someone else.
During my dance college days we were always encouraged to have the monthly addition of 'The Stage' magazine with all the information about auditions and prospects for aspiring dancers like we were. It was always a good read and I did used to enjoy it coming every month. Open auditions were usually advertised in there along with write ups on new shows that had hit the West End. I would like to mention that this magazine is one of many that provides useful sources and information for all types of performers, not just Dance. It certainly got its point across when you would be 1 out of 600 people that used to turn up to an open audition in the middle of London! I can safely say I do not miss those days!
As I left college and went straight aboard the cruise ships (this was due to a private audition held at my dance college) I was naive to the world of auditioning and networking that happens. Using the big wide web opened my eyes into websites and companies such as 'Dancers Pro' and 'Spotlight'. Friends of mine who were not lucky enough to go straight into a dancing job would tell me which sites were better than others but to join up to as many as possible in order to get as many auditions thrown out at you. So therefore the beauty that is Web 2.0 became my best friend that I turned to each day and dedicated most of my life to! Signing up to as many online agencies as I could and attending as many auditions as possible! Moving on from the Web 2.0 I then was lucky enough to join a professional agent in London who I would meet every so often with a new song that I had to sing or a dance class for them to watch to make sure I was still up to scratch, and this way I would be linked with auditions that they believed would suit me.
Having experienced all these types of networking in Dance, I felt the most beneficial way to work was having the professional agent who almost did the hard work for you, because although the online ones are constantly on the go and always updating you, you may turn up to an audition and it's only for blonde people and your brunette! (This has happened to me!) During my dancing days this Networking was vital to keep up to date with everything that is going on in the business, and keeps you in the loop. Nowadays I would be using a totally different way of networking due to my career path changing slightly.
Working within the fitness industry it has developed its own following though the obvious Web 2.0. For example, I have followed the trend like many do and set up a Facebook page specifically designed to promote and keep news updates regarding classes, Pilate's related information. This has proven to me that networking towards a specific audience is key to success. I follow many people on Facebook and Instagram who have pages designed to promote specifically towards there chosen area. One lady who I admire has worked her way through networking to promote her Yoga classes. This started with just short videos of sequences, or pictures throughout the day of different poses that she would be working on with a caption below which would usually go into some detail for people to try at home or encourage to google the closest place she would be holding classes. This then developed into a worldwide phenomenon that now travels her to all destinations across the world, where she will hold classes up to 100 people! Offering a range of exclusive retreats in Hawaii or a conference type set up where up to 100 people can attend in London. This lady is originally from Australia and has taken her own love for something to a business which travels all over the world. All thanks to her 1.3M followers on Instagram which allowed that platform for success. This kind of success is due to continual dedication to self promotion through the use of this networking which is what I admire.
Having looked at and focusing on the fitness side of things for the past 5 years of my life along with Dance, it has allowed me to have two minds about how social networking is used. As I said previously I think that Fitness has and still is growing to be an important part in most peoples lives, new workout which makes you loose 10 lbs in a week, and all these ideas have to be available at the touch of a button. Having worked closely with dance students at the state school recently, this type of networking isn't really used in the same way. We have found in most lessons (especially GCSE) that the use of the Internet during your dance class is very limited. You may use it when you get home to explore and research ideas for the next essay which is due in but studying an Art which is more self aware. I believe in this particular circumstance the Teacher is the students network. Full of relevant information and ideas that the internet cannot provide them, or an Instagram photo can help with. I was witnessing a student struggle with creative movement towards a choreography task which had been set, after talking with the teacher and once given some ideas she was well away and found a sequence of steps within minutes, totally original.
As I am reflecting on all these types of networks that are available to dancers in particular I can see how the same motives are always appearing. They are out to target an audience and apply and deliver accurate information that will help the individual. Some are always focusing on helping find career opportunities and give you vital information such as travel, what you'll need to try and encourage you to have a successful day. Also you can find that with some of these networking devises, it helps and encourages you to meet others that have the same interests that you do.
In an ideal world if I was to create a network I would like it to be an App which people would download on there smart phones or iPads to which they have access to instantly. It would dance and fitness based information to help others with the same interests. I would need the help of other professionals in order to make this successful, but I would love to focus on fitness in dancers and cover all areas like nutrition and health tips, along with audition info and contacts for agencies etc. You have to start somewhere when developing ideas so using the Web 2.0 such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram is a fantastic way to begin and like we have mentioned platform you into success.
In many if not all walks of life people say the famous line of 'it is not what you know, it is who you know' and I believe that using my current methods of Social media certainly gets the ball rolling to know/follow the right people for what I am looking for.
Focusing more on the teaching side of Dance, as previously mentioned having a close working relationship with someone who has had years of experience in this field is vital for me to be able to learn. My current networking system is my old dance teacher who I one day aspire to be for someone else.
Friday 1 May 2015
Task 2D Inquiry
What in your daily practise gets you really enthusiastic to find out more about? Who do you admire who also works with what makes you enthusiastic?
Being able to dance gets me enthused on so many levels. Having trained in a vocational college for 3 years I got to dance every single day and I thought this was just amazing, the best life ever. Still now, 5 years on I re-live those dance college memories and remember how happy I was to wake up every morning knowing I was doing something I loved. Teaching others, especially younger children allows me to find that enthusiasm for dance which has pushed me more into creating a positive example to others who may choose the professional dance route like I did.
Having helped out at my old state school in the GCSE and A Level dance classes for nearly a year, I have watched the teachers so closely. Both of them taught me at school and so have been there for over 15 years and it can be known to everyone how much they love teaching dance.
So in answer to the question, physically dancing myself gets me really enthusiastic and the teachers who I am currently helping out inspire me which creates more self enthusiasm to further my career into teaching.
What gets you angry or makes you sad? Who do you admire who shares your feelings or has found a way to work around the sadness or anger?
I feel sad when I realise how little dance may be appreciated as a professional sport. It is not broad casted like other sports would be, apart from the occasional ballet on the TV at Christmas. Some people have absolutely no idea the amount of physical training you have to take your body through to get whats classed as 'good technique' . Like all sports you have to acquire a certain amount of talent at a young age which is then built upon as you get older and more importantly dedicate your life to doing it in order to become successful. The general public would probably only be able to name one professional dancer that they are aware of and that would be Darcey Bussell. The only reason they know her name would be seeing her on the judging panel of Strictly Come Dancing.
Whilst I was studying for my A Levels, we had a sports awards evening for students who were certified with an award of excellence for their particular sport. We had to vote leading up to the evening, and one of the categories was Dance. Nearly every single boy in my class would agree that Dance was not a sport and should not be included in the awards. As you can imagine a quite heated debate arouse which ended victorious for my side of the argument and lucky for me I ended up winning it! But all those years ago it sticks with me that Dance in sport is a area that seems quite grey. I have done some research into this and found a creative writing page which shows how Aubree James argues this point in a very fair way. Please take a look at what she has to say by following this link;
http://www.mibba.com/Articles/Entertainment/3068/Dance-Is-It-a-Sport/
I admire her for outlining clear enough that dance IS a sport!
What do you love about what you do? Who do you admire who also seems to love this or is an example of what you love?
What do I love about Dance? I love that everyday it will be different. Maybe a different style that I may be learning/teaching, the music that you can dance to - the feeling you get when a good song comes on and your about to move to it, I instantly feel that buzz and I know I will perform better when it's a routine I like or particular style that fits perfectly with the music. A clear example of this would be when I worked aboard the cruise ships and there was 3 one hour production shows which we performed every 7 days. 2 out of the 3 I loved, the other one I just found boring and didn't challenge me. Looking back now I remember the music wasn't that great and I just never performed it as well as the other two. This shows how much of an impact music and choreography can have on a performer and performance. Music in Dance can range from Classical all the way through to Hip Hop Funk, which is amazing because most people have a preference that they like to work with whether it be teaching or performing, but it covers such a vast area that nearly everyone can enjoy it.
The one show that I adored when performing on the cruise ships was a jazz show which covered all of Jazz. My love for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers started at such a young age when I used to watch the old films with my mum and dad. One of the dance numbers in this Jazz show was a Fred and Ginger style and I remember absolutely loving it and really performed it because I had the image of those two iconic dancers in my head.
I admire all my friends who I worked with aboard the cruise ships. The all had the same love for dance and we all bounced off each other to create the best possible shows we could give the audience. I admire the friend I have who are still working aboard the liners and still having that same love and passion for Dance. Anyone who I come across in life that may still be dancing or has danced professionally in the past, I instantly feel a connection with them because they share that love for Dance as I do and always will.
What do you feel you don't understand? Who do you admire who does not seem to understand it or who has found a way of making not understanding it interesting or beautiful or has asked the same question as you?
I have trouble understanding the limited jobs there are in this country for retired professional dancers who have performed and either have had to stop due to injury or even age. Teaching would be the obvious answer, but some people can not afford the funding to further the education which will allow the qualification that are required to teach. The list is getting bigger and bigger of what is required to be able to teach, and to me it seems funny that someone who may have just wanted to be a teacher, chose dance because its an 'easy subject' got through uni and landed a job in a school will have a lengthy career, compared to the professional dancer who has broke her ankle will never be able to dance professionally again comes home with no qualifications apart from a diploma form college which won't get you anywhere in this day and age. I wouldn't be able to provide you with an answer to this yet but I am willing to look into what other opportunities ex pros could take in order to continue their career in dance.
I have found an interesting website where it offers you workshops for schools whether it be dance schools or state schools that advertises professionals to take the workshop focusing on a particular area such as Ballet. I can see how this would be popular, and I do admire the people who set this up as you don't really hear much about this. Take a look at the link I found and see what you think;
http://www.professionaldanceexperience.co.uk/SchoolDanceWorkshops.html
How do you decide the appropriate ethical response in a given situation? To what extent are disciplinary responses different to that you might expect more generally in society?
The example given to this question in our Handbook was 'level of physical contact'. In today's society you have to be extremely careful with those boundaries because if you cross them you could be out of a job. Certainly I know from helping out at the state school, I had to go through a CRB check because working with children this is obviously the law. In relation to dance I think now it is almost an area which doesn't cause much of an issue because unless you are having to be put in a position for choreography purposes you must just remember to conduct yourself in a professional manor. Back when I was a little girl my dance teacher used to approach things in a way that I am sure now would not be allowed for example holding you down in the splits to increase your flexibility, now you would have to think twice about that.
I was reading the Royal Ballet policy which outlines the fact that teachers will have to sometimes touch and hold the students in order to correct technique but in other situations I would have to say common sense would come into play. I have copied the link below from the Royal Ballet for you to see what they propose to all students and parents;
http://www.royalballetschool.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Appropriate-Contact-in-Dance-Policy.pdf
Being able to dance gets me enthused on so many levels. Having trained in a vocational college for 3 years I got to dance every single day and I thought this was just amazing, the best life ever. Still now, 5 years on I re-live those dance college memories and remember how happy I was to wake up every morning knowing I was doing something I loved. Teaching others, especially younger children allows me to find that enthusiasm for dance which has pushed me more into creating a positive example to others who may choose the professional dance route like I did.
Having helped out at my old state school in the GCSE and A Level dance classes for nearly a year, I have watched the teachers so closely. Both of them taught me at school and so have been there for over 15 years and it can be known to everyone how much they love teaching dance.
So in answer to the question, physically dancing myself gets me really enthusiastic and the teachers who I am currently helping out inspire me which creates more self enthusiasm to further my career into teaching.
What gets you angry or makes you sad? Who do you admire who shares your feelings or has found a way to work around the sadness or anger?
I feel sad when I realise how little dance may be appreciated as a professional sport. It is not broad casted like other sports would be, apart from the occasional ballet on the TV at Christmas. Some people have absolutely no idea the amount of physical training you have to take your body through to get whats classed as 'good technique' . Like all sports you have to acquire a certain amount of talent at a young age which is then built upon as you get older and more importantly dedicate your life to doing it in order to become successful. The general public would probably only be able to name one professional dancer that they are aware of and that would be Darcey Bussell. The only reason they know her name would be seeing her on the judging panel of Strictly Come Dancing.
Whilst I was studying for my A Levels, we had a sports awards evening for students who were certified with an award of excellence for their particular sport. We had to vote leading up to the evening, and one of the categories was Dance. Nearly every single boy in my class would agree that Dance was not a sport and should not be included in the awards. As you can imagine a quite heated debate arouse which ended victorious for my side of the argument and lucky for me I ended up winning it! But all those years ago it sticks with me that Dance in sport is a area that seems quite grey. I have done some research into this and found a creative writing page which shows how Aubree James argues this point in a very fair way. Please take a look at what she has to say by following this link;
http://www.mibba.com/Articles/Entertainment/3068/Dance-Is-It-a-Sport/
I admire her for outlining clear enough that dance IS a sport!
What do you love about what you do? Who do you admire who also seems to love this or is an example of what you love?
What do I love about Dance? I love that everyday it will be different. Maybe a different style that I may be learning/teaching, the music that you can dance to - the feeling you get when a good song comes on and your about to move to it, I instantly feel that buzz and I know I will perform better when it's a routine I like or particular style that fits perfectly with the music. A clear example of this would be when I worked aboard the cruise ships and there was 3 one hour production shows which we performed every 7 days. 2 out of the 3 I loved, the other one I just found boring and didn't challenge me. Looking back now I remember the music wasn't that great and I just never performed it as well as the other two. This shows how much of an impact music and choreography can have on a performer and performance. Music in Dance can range from Classical all the way through to Hip Hop Funk, which is amazing because most people have a preference that they like to work with whether it be teaching or performing, but it covers such a vast area that nearly everyone can enjoy it.
The one show that I adored when performing on the cruise ships was a jazz show which covered all of Jazz. My love for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers started at such a young age when I used to watch the old films with my mum and dad. One of the dance numbers in this Jazz show was a Fred and Ginger style and I remember absolutely loving it and really performed it because I had the image of those two iconic dancers in my head.
I admire all my friends who I worked with aboard the cruise ships. The all had the same love for dance and we all bounced off each other to create the best possible shows we could give the audience. I admire the friend I have who are still working aboard the liners and still having that same love and passion for Dance. Anyone who I come across in life that may still be dancing or has danced professionally in the past, I instantly feel a connection with them because they share that love for Dance as I do and always will.
What do you feel you don't understand? Who do you admire who does not seem to understand it or who has found a way of making not understanding it interesting or beautiful or has asked the same question as you?
I have trouble understanding the limited jobs there are in this country for retired professional dancers who have performed and either have had to stop due to injury or even age. Teaching would be the obvious answer, but some people can not afford the funding to further the education which will allow the qualification that are required to teach. The list is getting bigger and bigger of what is required to be able to teach, and to me it seems funny that someone who may have just wanted to be a teacher, chose dance because its an 'easy subject' got through uni and landed a job in a school will have a lengthy career, compared to the professional dancer who has broke her ankle will never be able to dance professionally again comes home with no qualifications apart from a diploma form college which won't get you anywhere in this day and age. I wouldn't be able to provide you with an answer to this yet but I am willing to look into what other opportunities ex pros could take in order to continue their career in dance.
I have found an interesting website where it offers you workshops for schools whether it be dance schools or state schools that advertises professionals to take the workshop focusing on a particular area such as Ballet. I can see how this would be popular, and I do admire the people who set this up as you don't really hear much about this. Take a look at the link I found and see what you think;
http://www.professionaldanceexperience.co.uk/SchoolDanceWorkshops.html
How do you decide the appropriate ethical response in a given situation? To what extent are disciplinary responses different to that you might expect more generally in society?
The example given to this question in our Handbook was 'level of physical contact'. In today's society you have to be extremely careful with those boundaries because if you cross them you could be out of a job. Certainly I know from helping out at the state school, I had to go through a CRB check because working with children this is obviously the law. In relation to dance I think now it is almost an area which doesn't cause much of an issue because unless you are having to be put in a position for choreography purposes you must just remember to conduct yourself in a professional manor. Back when I was a little girl my dance teacher used to approach things in a way that I am sure now would not be allowed for example holding you down in the splits to increase your flexibility, now you would have to think twice about that.
I was reading the Royal Ballet policy which outlines the fact that teachers will have to sometimes touch and hold the students in order to correct technique but in other situations I would have to say common sense would come into play. I have copied the link below from the Royal Ballet for you to see what they propose to all students and parents;
http://www.royalballetschool.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Appropriate-Contact-in-Dance-Policy.pdf
Ideas for line of Inquiry;
What are different types of enthusiasm in Dance?
Is Dance a sport?
Different styles of Dance, researching backgrounds of styles of Dance.
What is out there for ex professional dancers to build a solid career on?
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