Twilight Tuesday Skype Session

It was great to connect with everyone on Tuesdays call. It was the little pick me up I felt I needed. I was late on to the call, due to technical issues, but I joined the call just as the group were discussing choreography as a practice and how we each go about creating what we do. This is something I have been reflecting on in my journal, as I find it fascinating how we transpose the ideas and thoughts we have into movement. When asked "How I create a dance?" there are integral steps such as listening to the music, imagining a story or shape to the routine, experimenting with bits of choreography. But there is an element that can't be explained. This made me think on Tacit Knowledge - we know more than we can tell (Polanyi and Sen, 2009) and I look forward to exploring this more.

I was pleased that we discussed our Areas Of Learning and it was really helpful for the learners on modules 2 and 3 to give us feedback on how they approached theirs. I had already written lists of what I had learnt and when, and started looking at links into Transdisciplinary Learning and if I could find areas of my learning that had developed through my practice. Matt Shepard from module 3 had a more simplistic suggestion. Similar in writing lists but picking out AOL's on a timeline theme.

• Write 2 lists - What I Know Now vs What I Need To Learn
• Pick an area of learning from - Before your training, During Training and 3 Years after training
• Identify - What you learnt, what you took from it and where it will go

I am currently looking into how I can generalise the following, so that I can do further research into how I can expand my knowledge. 

- Understanding Progressions and Breakdowns

Learnt as a child going through grades, example - Timesteps, I then used this knowledge in college and as a professional dancer. I now use this to teach syllabus classes and in lesson planning. In the future I'd like to apply this to academic work.

- How To Take An Appropriate Warm Up for Dance Style and Age

Performing daily warm ups at college, understanding how they improved my performance. Studying Health and Safety at DDI, injury prevention and having a deep understanding of why its important for students to have a warm up. Putting this into practice in my current teaching, and watching how the students respond. Developing this knowledge into a classroom setting to help motivation and energy.

- How To Use Imagery As A Teaching Method

Was taught as a child to 'leap over puddles'. Learnt to use imagination to perform. As a performer this helped my portrayal of the choreography. Focused a lot on this teaching method in ISTD DDI as useful for younger age groups - Example rocking a doll. Imagery is now one of my most useful tools while teaching, especially in Ballet and Modern. Will be a useful tool in Primary School teaching.

- How To Prepare Students For Exams

Took exams as a child, can remember the teacher giving me music and notes to practice in the kitchen. Took higher level exams at college, learning what it takes to gain high marks. Learnt in depth knowledge of syllabus at ISTD DDI. Developed abilities in class planning and exam coaching over years of teaching. Currently have a system of teaching exercises supported by giving the students learning materials and the right amount of correction. This is something I can use as a transition into further teaching. 

I will continue to work on these and other ideas so I can narrow them down to only 3 AOL's. If anyone has any feedback on the above I would be grateful. 

I enjoyed listening to the module 2 and 3 Students discuss there inquiry subjects and research. A few things I took away ....

- Look outside the arts - if you are struggling to find something relevant with the arts, explore outside. -eg- Physical Education

- To narrow down research look for the things that keep coming back to you

- Don't worry about having an idea of the end result (Artefact, Module 3) ( Reflection Essay Conclusion, Module 1) until you have spent the time on the research.

- It's OK the be in a bit of a 'Funk' now and then, especially when there is a great network of like minded individuals with ideas and motivation to get you going again. Just ask for help if needed.

I myself have felt in a bit of a 'FUNK' the last few weeks, with lots of extra dance teaching work, poorly children and birthday celebrations I feel like I've lost me flow. I'm looking forward to half term and losing myself in my Reflection Essay and Diagram development.