Coming to the end of the road...

With my presentation drawing nearer, I feel like I am coming to the end of my BAPP journey. In celebration of my journey, I'd like to share some of my reflections.

In seeking to understand one theory (the theory of Multiple Intelligence) I feel I have in fact gained an understanding of a theory of knowledge. The process has enlightened me to the value of research and given me tools to process the information in accordance to my practice and understand that information is not knowledge until it has been connected to parts of my life and transformed into knowing.

My thinking has been greatly informed by George Siemens Knowing Knowledge and I would highly recommend that anyone read it. I feel it is really relevant not only to my degree but also how we view information in the new digital age.

My idea of networks has now broadened considerably. In module 1 I could only think of my colleagues and associates within my practice or training and the connections I may have via social media. However, I now feel imagine my network as an abundance of scholars and theorists that create a pipeline of information that will help me develop my practice into the future. 

I have positioned myself now as an educator within the field of dance pedagogy as opposed to being just a dance teacher and have new confidence in my abilities. I have gained a better understanding of ethical considerations and how I have a duty as an educator to establish my own educational philosophy.

I believe that while I might not be the young fit dancer I was at 21, my experience has given me many tools for life that I am now in a position to pass on to my students. This has also given me confidence to share my work and dance my Module 3 artefact. Please follow the link below to discover a dance piece expressing my journey  

Dance Artefact

I look forward to sharing my work on Monday for my presentation and look forward to sharing the experience with our BAPP community.  

  

Artefact

This blog hi-lights some of the significant discussions I had during Wednesdays Group Skype and this evenings Module 3 Skype on how we communicate ideas.

From the first call I took away the idea of staying honest to my practice. I have been worried about where and how I am going to film my choreography for my video, as I don't have the facilities of a theatre or a professional cameraman and was concerned filming it in my dusty old dance hall would look unprofessional. However, on the call, I was reminded that we want to give an honest representation of our practice and give the viewer of our artefact a real view into what we do and to keep our artefact in context with our practice.

Tonight's call also reinforced this idea, with Adesola saying that the length of our artefact should be in line with what we create in our practice. In my practice there's a time limit generally of 4 mins, dancers and choreographers only have that amount of time to capture everything they want to say in their creation.

Adesola added - The artistry is how poignant it can be, not how long. This made me think more about the content of my artefact. I want to tell a story of the journey of my inquiry that will communicate to everyone. On the call, we discussed how the art is telling a story that is understandable and not letting the watcher edit it for themselves.

I want to express the passion I have for dance but also show where the threads start to tie together. I have felt the journey has been quite emotional and I hope my music choices for different sections of my dance hi-light this.

Expectations were also a topic of Wednesday's call, how things very rarely go to plan and how deviating from the plan is part of the process. My artefact has changed shape a number of times now, but I feel it needs to in order to grow and strengthen as an idea. This evening we discussed how we have to be aware of our own creative process in relation to our practice. For me, this is a reminder that I usually play around with ideas, I'll create choreography at home and adjust it as I'm teaching. I'll change it dependant on the space available and pupils abilities and on watching it back. I can't expect anything different from my artefact.

Lastly, one point that was significant to me was the question - Will the process of making the artefact add to my already existing data in my inquiry? I hope it does, while my artefact is about the journey I have been on, not so much the discovery of information I hope I can use this process to add more to my practice.

It may help me concentrate more on portraying a story or working with my students to develop their storytelling skills. Once I have shared my artefact I may have new questions or ideas that I can take further and add to my presentation. I am starting to see how all 3 ways of communicating my inquiry process - Essay, Artefact and Presentation are linked together.

The Shift

I wasn't able to make Tuesdays Module 3 discussion due to work, but so far I have found the blogs on the discussion very helpful.

I can really relate to the idea of a shift happening during the inquiry process. For me, it was the understanding that 'The theoretical world is not composed of a single idea' (S.R Koff, 2003)

My inquiry question is....

What is the relationship between the Multiple Intelligences Theory and Dance Teaching? 

The theory has many different perspectives, and through reading them through literature I learnt that I have to stay reflexive. And not to look at the theory as something to behold but instead as something that can be adjusted, reworked to my ideas and practice.

I went into my inquiry not knowing how I will answer the question... And now I have completed my data collection and am in the final stages of writing my draft (cutting out the fluff and trying to get that word count down)

I still don't have a definitive answer, I do however have lots of new ideas, thoughts and questions.

I'm hoping that's the point!!! Right?

If you were on the call and made any notes, in the spirit of 'Connectivism' (G.Siemens, 2006) please do comment any of your thoughts below.

Bibliography

 Koff, Susan.R (2003) Why the Multiple Intelligences?, Journal of Dance Education, 3:1, 5-6, DOI: 10.1080/15290824.2003.10387223 

Siemens.G (2006) Knowing Knowledge, Milton Keynes

Through The Fog

(Symmetry Magazine, 2009)

Wednesday was the first group discussion shared with all modules for me this term. I think a lot of us joined the call with the hope that the discussion would help create some clarity through the fog that is the first few weeks of the term.

I am familiar with THE FOG! It's been present at the beginning of all 3 modules for me. Like the beginning of a new day, it's early and dark and a haze lingers across your line of sight.

However I now take comfort in the fog, it means that I am in the process of adding more to my learning. I'm aware there shouldn't be a clear answer and as was mentioned on the call, I need to trust in my ability to think critically and reflect on my journey so far.

In using the processes I have learnt, I can visually map where my thoughts are and start looking for themes. I can record my thoughts in my journal so that they marinade and develop substance.

I have taken time re-reading my Module 2 inquiry and although it's a bit daunting that I am now changing my data collection methods, it reminded me WHY I choose this subject.

I am looking into the relationship between Dance Teaching and Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. This idea first came to me in Module 1 when I reflected on one of my classes where a pupil asked "How many steps they needed to take?" It made me think that I use music counts and descriptions of left, right, left but very rarely do I say " Take 3 steps!"

I am not a numbers person but looking at Howards Gardner's theory made me think that maybe some of my pupils are, and they would have a better chance understanding my teaching if I used techniques that spoke to their Mathematical - Logical Intelligence.

In Module 2, my literature review comprised mainly of Gardner's work through books and interviews, scholars that supported Gardner's theory and have applied it to dance teaching and scholars that stated the Theory was often misused and may narrow pupils learning.

In Module 3, I now plan to explore further literature of Intelligence Theories (without getting lost down a rabbit hole) and to find what other Theories are being used in education.

I would love to discuss anyone's experiences that made you question past or current teaching methods whether you were the teacher or pupil. Or if anyone currently in education has had experiance in theories or methods that may be transferable into dance or teaching in the arts.

If you would like to know more about Howard Gardners Theory and test your Intelligence there is more on one of my previous blog - Multiple Intelligences - Where do you fit in?

It will be great to hear your thoughts.

Photo CreditSymmetry Magazine (2009). Dancing with Physicists. [image] Available at: https://www.symmetrymagazine.org/article/august-2009/dancing-with-physicists [Accessed 27 Sep. 2019].

What I wish I knew last year....

I can't believe how much has changed in a year. I remember my first Skype call this time last year, and I was sat there thinking 'What have I got myself into?' I had already read through the module handbook and was totally clueless.

I can honestly say, I had no need to worry. Through discussion, reflection and a trust that it will all become clear as you start to work through the Module Handbook, I am looking forward to starting Module 3.

Today's Skype call was more about the administration of the course. Where to find information on Uni Hub and how to best utilize the learning community. Here are a few of the things I have found helpful through my last 2 Modules.

Blogs - Reading List
To ensure I stay up to date with the newest blogs in our learning community I made a Reading List on Blogger. This then appears like a news feed, enabling me to leave comments and engage more.

Don't be afraid to just say Hello - 
As Adesola said on today's call even if you are still processing your thoughts on a blogs content, its nice to just comment. Hi, Great Blog or I enjoyed reading this. It's nice to know that there are people reading your work.

Labels

I have found labels helpful to reference my work enabling to look back at specific subjects that I have blogged about or to find key words or themes that have carried across the different modules.

I have also found them invaluable when I have felt a bit lost or stuck. I have often used the labels on a supervisors blog to get a better idea of a subject. For example - Literature Reviews, Adesola has 16 blog posts on Literature Reviews, so I will have a look through and its likely that there will be information that will give me more insight or comments from past students sharing there ideas.

Blogs can be short and sweet, and don't always have to be written. Think about alternate ways to share your thoughts or ideas. Images, Videos, and Photos of your brainstorming sessions. Your blog will become another form of diary in which you can reflect on throughout the modules.




Long Distance Library 
Today we discussed taking time to navigate Unihub and see whats available. I regret fully doing this early on. There were books on the reading list that are not available online and I feel I didn't take full advantage of the resources available to me as a long distance student.

There is a guide on the Librarians Introduction on Unihub on how to register to order books to your home address. (Please note - Email removed for security) 

Dear Diary....

Start keeping a diary of your practice from today. It took me a while to pick apart my practice in order to see it in new ways and keeping a diary definitely helped. At first I just wrote what I had done that day and then started breaking it down into lens as I moved through the course. 

I hope these tips have been helpful. I look forward to hearing what your tips may be, after all we are always learning. 

Back To School

Wow! Where did the summer go? It feels like only a few weeks ago I nervously hit send on Turn It In to officially send off my Module 2 Inquiry Plan and in just a few short weeks I will be embarking on that plan.

After over 4 months off uni, its time to mentally and physically prepare myself for the intense 12 week period ahead. One thing that I have learnt so far from the previous 2 modules is to bring the task at hand back to my practice. Yes, I may be a bit rusty to start, like taking a dance class after some time off, my muscles will be tight, my movements not as fluid and natural. Certain terminology may elude me, but with practice, my muscle memory will kick in and by reflecting on my journey so far I will begin to reimagine my plan and hopefully after some time off be able to bring new thought to it.

I plan to re-read my blogs and those of my fellow students to remind myself of the journey I have taken so far. I will look through my plan with fresh eyes and look forward to discussing my feedback. 

This term discipline is key, I have pre-arranged childcare and have set times and days to ensure that my work stays consistent and on plan. As much as I am nervous about the module ahead, I am also very excited to get started knowing that with hard work and commitment I will have a degree.

It will be great to network with our BAPP community again and listen to new voices starting the course. Please feel free to comment if anyone has any questions, I would love to receive a few words to sum up how you are all feeling right now.

Let the journey recommence.........

Image credits

getty images/iStockphoto (2019). Back to school. [image] Available at: https://www.istockphoto.com/gb/photos/back-to-school?assettype=image&sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=back%20to%20school [Accessed 28 Aug. 2019].

The Practicalities of Practice Based Inquiry

As we are nearing the end of Module 2  it was really helpful to have a Skype Discussion with the focus on the Practicalities of doing an inquiry. 

I had already drafted my inquiry plan and sent it for feedback, but the call reminded me that discussion can help you see things from different angles. As we were discussing how we are going to consider Data Protection of our Data Collection we discussed password protecting computer documents this helped me re-consider how I am going to keep my notes for my observations. Instead of a notebook to store my thoughts and observations, I can keep them securely on my laptop. 

We also discussed, how we are planning to note take and how this can affect our interviewee or participant. I plan to observe my fellow dance teachers at my place of employment over the course of a few weeks and plan to make my observations as unobtrusive as possible. For this reason, I feel typing will be off-putting in a lesson setting plus I will find it difficult to type and observe at the same time, so I have planned to take notes on paper, which I will be able to shred once I have typed them into a word document that I can then password protect. It was also suggested that we consider back-ups of our information, such as an external hard drive or pen drive, that can also be password protected. 

It did take a while for us all to get in the right mindset of thinking of practicalities, Adesola suggested we start thinking like we have hired an assistant to help carry out our Inquiry Plan, this is to remind us that we have to consider how we are planning to carry out each step and how we are going to explain the reasoning behind these steps.

We also briefly discussed analysis and how we can be prepared for many different outcomes, it was thought-provoking to consider that sometimes if there are gaps in literature or you do not get the co-operation from participants that you were hoping for that this is all information for analysis. For example, if you are contacting someone to interview about Support in the Arts or Guidance in Career choices and they do not get back to you, Could this be considered as a lack of support or guidance??

I will be applying these thoughts and discussions to my final draft, I have also received my feedback and I am pleased that I have made many good points, and only need to re-word a few paragraphs.
I do however have a lot of work to do putting together my Literature Review, I am planning to create a Map similar to my Module 1 Diagram. 

Good Luck to everyone finalising your drafts, if anyone wants to share how you are getting on or any thoughts you have had after recent Skype Calls it will be great to hear from you.  

Sharing Is Caring - Group Discussion 26th Feb 2019

I always enter into the group discussions with apprehension, it's not until everyone starts sharing that I feel at ease. It is reassuring to hear that we are at similar stages and once the conversation starts flowing, it's easy to share ideas and give and take advice. It's also nice that I now recognise most of the voices and now have an understanding of what the practices are behind those voices. Last night we discussed the following.

What to do with our research?

By the time we reach Module 3, we will have accumulated a lot of research, those currently on Module 3 suggested creating something visual with it to see what was relevant and how to arrange it. 

Lists of For or Against/High or Low Importance

Create a mindmap 

Hi-Light Keywords to see the themes.

Diagrams and Artifacts 

We then discussed our Diagrams from Module 1 and how the ideas behind them continue to develop through all the modules. Here is my diagram from Module 1.

I found it helpful, to consider building on this original idea and improving it for my literature review for module 2.

Method & Methodology 

I was thankful for Helen clarifying that method and methodology have 2 different meanings. While I understood that we are using Qualitative Research there are other considerations that will help determine our methods. 

Do we want to capture real thoughts, processes and emotions? 

Are we looking for people to share their experiences instead of just giving YES/NO answers?

Are our methods relevant to our practice?

Will we learn something new instead of angling our research towards our own thoughts?

This part of the conversation has reminded me that I need to concentrate on researching how to research and reading the recommended module list as well as looking into the inquiry topic.

The conversation continued into the method of Observation and how we are encouraged to Observe as much as we can. However, we must keep an open mind and not have preconceptions of what we are looking for. 

I was concerned that my participants may feel that I may be critical of their work, but I was reminded by Andrew, that as professionals we are used to feedback and it can come from a positive place. Sharing is how we learn. 

If you have anything to share or any questions on our Group Discussion please do comment