The award I seek as a result of doing this programme is BA (Hons) Professional Practice in Dance within Education.
The majority of my own skills and knowledge are mainly based in the Dance subject of my award title, with what I learnt during my time at dance school on a 3 year Musical Theatre course. This knowledge I later expanded on during my career as a performer. Now with my interest to take my experiences and knowledge of dance and pass on in the world of teaching I want to consider the effects dance has on children within the education system as it is a part of their curriculum. With recent experience I have gained in teaching I would like to look further into the depths of dance within schools, considering the advantages and disadvantages to children. I would also like to look at how it has developed and could possibly develop further. Hopefully this will expand my knowledge within education and make me a stronger teacher, and provide further information for teachers who have not studied dance as a core subject.
Please let me know what you think, and I was wondering do I need to add to it at all and make it longer, or does it cover what it needs to cover!?
Friday, 11 May 2012
My Developments to find my Inquiry topic
To start with I brainstormed all thoughts in my head that I had relation to that could be incorporated in to my very own inquiry. Here is a photo (blogged again!) of this brainstorm as I struggled to create the Brainstorm on the laptop!!
After getting all my thoughts and ideas down on paper I needed to look at the route I wanted to take next and what knowledge I want to use and what I want to learn more in. I have many years of performing within Dance and now wish to take my knowledge and interest in to teaching to pass on what I have learnt and the enjoyment I get from dancing and performing to others. Now looking at my own brainstorm I could of taken one particular path but as my interests have always been in dance and I now wish to take them further in teaching dance then I feel it would be best to incorporate both dance and teaching together for my inquiry.
After this decision had been made my next step was to get involved in discussions, putting it out there to learn from others in the area of dance and teaching and read thoughts, opinions and others knowledge on the topic to help me find my specific line of Inquiry. Although I know I want to incorporate dance and teaching there are still many different lines of Inquiry which this could follow and I need to find the best for me with what interests me most and that I can use within my workplace.
Now I didn't start my own specific Special Interest Group as at the time there were many discussions in place that already took a similar line that I wanted to start, so rather than adding another to the list I joined in discussions that I could link to.
Many discussions talked about dance in schools and how it has developed, but also how dancers struggle to get jobs as teachers although trained and worked in the profession for years however teachers are able to teach dance although are not as experienced. Discussions also looked at
As I have said, knowing my interest has always been in Dance and with the training and career I have had so far, I now want to take this further in to my furture as I wish to pursue my skills in the form of teaching. Now with these 2 interest, I wish to continue with an inquiry that incorporates the two. Now being involved in discussions I have started to see teaching under the bracket of 'Education'. Now with dance in education developing constantly I could look at the rate, or how it could continue growing and developing and these benefits. However part of the teaching aspects that interest myself is my own knowledge and skills I can pass on to children. Looking at the children in the world of education and learning dance within schools we could always consider how it would benefit them.
After attending one of the campus sessions for this module, we discussed peoples ideas of what they thought they would be following for their line of inquiry. I advised I was looking at a possible inquiry title of 'The Benefits of Dance within Education'. As this thought was discussed among the group it was believed that it incorporated my workplace, my knowledge and a way for this to move forward in an inquiry, however it was bought to my intention that with this specific title it already implies that there are definitely benefits to having Dance within education.
After the group discussion, pulling everything together from myself, from the SIG's and from the discussions at campus sessions I set on thinking about other ways to consider the advantages and disadvantages of having dance within education but without implying the outcomes in the title before I know them.
So new ideas I then came up with were along the lines of simply saying 'Dance within Education', 'Dance in Education' This title shows what I am looking into, but allows me to start open minded and not imply any results until the inquiry is completed and a conculusion is found. Another idea is 'The effects of Dance within Education'.
After getting all my thoughts and ideas down on paper I needed to look at the route I wanted to take next and what knowledge I want to use and what I want to learn more in. I have many years of performing within Dance and now wish to take my knowledge and interest in to teaching to pass on what I have learnt and the enjoyment I get from dancing and performing to others. Now looking at my own brainstorm I could of taken one particular path but as my interests have always been in dance and I now wish to take them further in teaching dance then I feel it would be best to incorporate both dance and teaching together for my inquiry.
After this decision had been made my next step was to get involved in discussions, putting it out there to learn from others in the area of dance and teaching and read thoughts, opinions and others knowledge on the topic to help me find my specific line of Inquiry. Although I know I want to incorporate dance and teaching there are still many different lines of Inquiry which this could follow and I need to find the best for me with what interests me most and that I can use within my workplace.
Now I didn't start my own specific Special Interest Group as at the time there were many discussions in place that already took a similar line that I wanted to start, so rather than adding another to the list I joined in discussions that I could link to.
Many discussions talked about dance in schools and how it has developed, but also how dancers struggle to get jobs as teachers although trained and worked in the profession for years however teachers are able to teach dance although are not as experienced. Discussions also looked at
As I have said, knowing my interest has always been in Dance and with the training and career I have had so far, I now want to take this further in to my furture as I wish to pursue my skills in the form of teaching. Now with these 2 interest, I wish to continue with an inquiry that incorporates the two. Now being involved in discussions I have started to see teaching under the bracket of 'Education'. Now with dance in education developing constantly I could look at the rate, or how it could continue growing and developing and these benefits. However part of the teaching aspects that interest myself is my own knowledge and skills I can pass on to children. Looking at the children in the world of education and learning dance within schools we could always consider how it would benefit them.
After attending one of the campus sessions for this module, we discussed peoples ideas of what they thought they would be following for their line of inquiry. I advised I was looking at a possible inquiry title of 'The Benefits of Dance within Education'. As this thought was discussed among the group it was believed that it incorporated my workplace, my knowledge and a way for this to move forward in an inquiry, however it was bought to my intention that with this specific title it already implies that there are definitely benefits to having Dance within education.
After the group discussion, pulling everything together from myself, from the SIG's and from the discussions at campus sessions I set on thinking about other ways to consider the advantages and disadvantages of having dance within education but without implying the outcomes in the title before I know them.
So new ideas I then came up with were along the lines of simply saying 'Dance within Education', 'Dance in Education' This title shows what I am looking into, but allows me to start open minded and not imply any results until the inquiry is completed and a conculusion is found. Another idea is 'The effects of Dance within Education'.
SIG's
Now one way we discussed at a campus session in how to develop our Inquiry ideas and thoughts with our fellow students to help each other develop those ideas into an actual Inquiry topic to pursue was through SIG's. Now these are Special Interest Groups where communication between each other is used to express thoughts and ideas. Discussions are continued with questionning and gathering others thoughts, opinions and ideas that are in the industry and line of work that the discussion are on.
Now since looking at my initial thoughts brainstorm, and knowing where I have an interest using what I have already experienced and knowledge I have gained and then looking at where I want to head in the future within my career is a route I believe my Inquiry should follow.
What also is of benifit to me of the SIG's is finding other students that are currently on this course looking in to similar Inquiries, in similar topics that connect with mine as our ideas can bounce off each other through our discussions and we then help each other to find out the exact line of inquiry we wish to follow.
Now we started our SIG's through Facebook, as this is a very popular social networking site which we all have easy access to and agreed it would be the best place to form our own SIG's. Now I have been involved a couple of different SIG's and have added my thoughts to a few discussions, communicating different thoughts through conversations with other students on the BAPP course, however it has come to light that these have now been erased off of the social networking site and I am no longer able to access to hyper link to express on Blog the development of the SIG's I have been involved in.
Any further thoughts you may have please add a comment on dance withing schools and education and how it can effect teaching, or add to the curriculum or even the effects it has on teachers.
Now since looking at my initial thoughts brainstorm, and knowing where I have an interest using what I have already experienced and knowledge I have gained and then looking at where I want to head in the future within my career is a route I believe my Inquiry should follow.
What also is of benifit to me of the SIG's is finding other students that are currently on this course looking in to similar Inquiries, in similar topics that connect with mine as our ideas can bounce off each other through our discussions and we then help each other to find out the exact line of inquiry we wish to follow.
Now we started our SIG's through Facebook, as this is a very popular social networking site which we all have easy access to and agreed it would be the best place to form our own SIG's. Now I have been involved a couple of different SIG's and have added my thoughts to a few discussions, communicating different thoughts through conversations with other students on the BAPP course, however it has come to light that these have now been erased off of the social networking site and I am no longer able to access to hyper link to express on Blog the development of the SIG's I have been involved in.
Any further thoughts you may have please add a comment on dance withing schools and education and how it can effect teaching, or add to the curriculum or even the effects it has on teachers.
Developing lines of Professional Inquiry
Ok so after reading the reader on developing lines of professional inquiries I thought it would be best to write a short blog on what information I gained from the Reader and the best bits I learnt to take forward during this module.
Firstly all processes of Inquiries are forms of research that I can use further to investigate, explore, evaluate and understand my own professional inquiry. Professional Inquiry is a type of approach to learning and this I can link to the areas that I covered during module 1. It is an approach that acknowledges the central role of the individual to the whole learning process. With myself being right in the middle of the Inquiry I need to choose a topic that is relevant to me, and the world that surrounds me, therefore it will benefit me, my colleagues, my work and other professionals. With an inquiry relating to my work it will also help me, not just others to learn more about what I am doing whilst I am doing it. Inquiry is a way to examine what I do to find the right questions to ask to lead me to a more in-depth understanding. This form of learning will help me to engage with relevant problems, draw on existing knowledge, seek new evidence and then analyse and present my results/findings. My inquiry should relate to my workplace, and the topic should be based on experiences I am involved in as a professional. Working on an inquiry within my professional practice will help develop my academic skills, as much as Work Based Learning.
Professional inquiry is linked very much to work based learning. Reflection should take place upon what goes on in my workplace and learning from experiences should lead to findings that can result in improvement of practice. 'Inquiry involves intent, a sense of purpose' (Judi Marshall 2001) along with questionning that should always remain open to help the inquiry to continue to develop, knowing and using this will help me to develop and find the perfect inquiry title for myself.
Research and knowledge are both important as each other during my inquiry process. With what I learnt about Work Based Learning in module 1, I now need to take forward and use this for my inquiry as there are many aspects of work based learning I can use in my inquiry to help me find my Inquiry topic and form my findings. Within my own professional inquiry I will be expected to examine the knowledge and skills that are needed to be in my professional field.
Knowledge itself is a complex idea and whilst my inquiry is ongoing I must remember that there are a range of concepts within knowledge and I must consider the different forms of knowledge. Identifying the different kinds of knowledge will help me within my inquiry, during my inquiry and to progress me to my end results. Now the reader has helped me to learn that within a workplace where my inquiry is going to take place that there are many different types of knowledge and these do not all fit nicely under one catogory/discipline. Now the disciplines will provide particular frameworks through which to explore and understand and then move forward and use. Disciplines can be conceived as 'tools for learning' (Sayers 1948, in Burleigh 1973) so I need to learn to use these to my strengths as these disciplines can articulate problems, investigate problems, report on outcomes, all in all providing me with a wider rep of learning tools. This is an advantage in a complex world. Whilst I am doing my inquiry I need to consider 'inter-disciplinary' knowledge which is specific to me as I am in a world where there is more than one discipline that I am involved in, for example a dance teacher is trained in many forms of dance but also trained in teaching and education.
Now there are many more facts and key points that I can take on from this reader, (I cannot blog them all)! to help me now plan my inquiry and come to one specific topic that I wish to pursue. I will use knowledge from many areas that I have already gained and use this to look in to further areas I may wish to expand my knowledge on. Identifying my own knowledge and skills in the workplace and looking at further knowledge to be explored can be part of the questionning process of professional inquiry. Now I can look in to many questions that lie with in my field of work and consider what I would like to take forward as a question for my inquiry. Using the information from the reader, the different lines of professional inquiry can help me to find my focus on my own line of inquiry I will follow.
Please join me on my journey to finding my Inquiry!
Firstly all processes of Inquiries are forms of research that I can use further to investigate, explore, evaluate and understand my own professional inquiry. Professional Inquiry is a type of approach to learning and this I can link to the areas that I covered during module 1. It is an approach that acknowledges the central role of the individual to the whole learning process. With myself being right in the middle of the Inquiry I need to choose a topic that is relevant to me, and the world that surrounds me, therefore it will benefit me, my colleagues, my work and other professionals. With an inquiry relating to my work it will also help me, not just others to learn more about what I am doing whilst I am doing it. Inquiry is a way to examine what I do to find the right questions to ask to lead me to a more in-depth understanding. This form of learning will help me to engage with relevant problems, draw on existing knowledge, seek new evidence and then analyse and present my results/findings. My inquiry should relate to my workplace, and the topic should be based on experiences I am involved in as a professional. Working on an inquiry within my professional practice will help develop my academic skills, as much as Work Based Learning.
Professional inquiry is linked very much to work based learning. Reflection should take place upon what goes on in my workplace and learning from experiences should lead to findings that can result in improvement of practice. 'Inquiry involves intent, a sense of purpose' (Judi Marshall 2001) along with questionning that should always remain open to help the inquiry to continue to develop, knowing and using this will help me to develop and find the perfect inquiry title for myself.
Research and knowledge are both important as each other during my inquiry process. With what I learnt about Work Based Learning in module 1, I now need to take forward and use this for my inquiry as there are many aspects of work based learning I can use in my inquiry to help me find my Inquiry topic and form my findings. Within my own professional inquiry I will be expected to examine the knowledge and skills that are needed to be in my professional field.
Knowledge itself is a complex idea and whilst my inquiry is ongoing I must remember that there are a range of concepts within knowledge and I must consider the different forms of knowledge. Identifying the different kinds of knowledge will help me within my inquiry, during my inquiry and to progress me to my end results. Now the reader has helped me to learn that within a workplace where my inquiry is going to take place that there are many different types of knowledge and these do not all fit nicely under one catogory/discipline. Now the disciplines will provide particular frameworks through which to explore and understand and then move forward and use. Disciplines can be conceived as 'tools for learning' (Sayers 1948, in Burleigh 1973) so I need to learn to use these to my strengths as these disciplines can articulate problems, investigate problems, report on outcomes, all in all providing me with a wider rep of learning tools. This is an advantage in a complex world. Whilst I am doing my inquiry I need to consider 'inter-disciplinary' knowledge which is specific to me as I am in a world where there is more than one discipline that I am involved in, for example a dance teacher is trained in many forms of dance but also trained in teaching and education.
Now there are many more facts and key points that I can take on from this reader, (I cannot blog them all)! to help me now plan my inquiry and come to one specific topic that I wish to pursue. I will use knowledge from many areas that I have already gained and use this to look in to further areas I may wish to expand my knowledge on. Identifying my own knowledge and skills in the workplace and looking at further knowledge to be explored can be part of the questionning process of professional inquiry. Now I can look in to many questions that lie with in my field of work and consider what I would like to take forward as a question for my inquiry. Using the information from the reader, the different lines of professional inquiry can help me to find my focus on my own line of inquiry I will follow.
Please join me on my journey to finding my Inquiry!
The progress I have made now all on Blog
So here goes, I have managed to get internet access this week to post all my Blogs I have been working on during module 2 over the last couple of months, to show my progress and journey to finding my perfect topic for my professional inquiry.
Please enjoy reading and any comments always greatly appreciated which will help me finalise a few parts of my work ready to hand in.
Cheers
Please enjoy reading and any comments always greatly appreciated which will help me finalise a few parts of my work ready to hand in.
Cheers
Monday, 17 October 2011
Brainstorming for Inquiry ideas
I have taken both sides to myself, my constantly developing performing side to the working towards my teaching side and brainstormed possible ideas within my professions to tackle as an inquiry. I will now look further into these ideas, hopefully with the help of fellow BAPP students on SIGs and then develop one to become my actual Inquiry so I can start my plan.
Getting Back in to the swing of things
It's been awhile since the last term and it's now time to get back in to the swing of studying and work towards completing Module 2!
So Campus Session 1 for Module 2 - Professional Inquiry
First of all it was nice to meet those who are tackling module 2 at the same time as me, and Good Luck to all! Last Tuesday was a good day, and an informative opening to Professional Inquiry.
It is time to think about our own roles, it is about me and what I do! Which is a big aspect to WBL. As we were shown yesterday we have a link that goes round in a circle between ourselves the learner, Middlesex Uni our tutors, and our workplace and colleagues. It is now time to use this circle in our research for our plan for our Professional Inquiry and then take it forward in to Module 3 when we undertake the Inquiry.
We now need to consider 'whats ahead', lines of inquiry that interest us, that we will enjoy and what we want to know more about. We now need to consider lines of inquiry that are within what we study and the content of workplace. In the first campus session we also looked at an article on Professional knowledge that showed us the separate sections from your particular role at your work place to the role you play as part of a bigger section. We also talked about our own competency and capability within these roles. Within professional knowledge we can actually take knowledge and look at it in further depth splitting it in to 3 types:-
Dance Teacher
Generic Skills - Communication
Observation
Listening
Knowing What - Dance genres/styles - Tap, Modern, Jazz, Ballet etc
Rhythms
Techniques
Health and Safety
Knowing How - Physically Demonstrating
Breaking it down
Teaching methods - Mirroring, groups for improvisation
Looking at Professional Inquiry I now need to consider within the area of my own Professional Practice what do I need to develop. What are my own capabilities and what interests me so I can develop these thoughts further, delving in to them and exploring in greater depths to help me work towards my professional inquiry. I need to know what I am a 'beginner' in and look at those areas for possible inquiries.
At the campus session we also talked about the advantages and challenges we could be faced with during an Inquiry based around WBL within our own workplace:-
Advantages
During the professional Inquiry I need to learn and make sure that I differentiate between Subjectivity and Objectivity. Being an inside researcher has more risks of being too subjective and I need to make myself aware to be objective which I can make possible by setting criteria.
So............taking on everything that was discussed in the first campus session I can now take this forward and start to develop and brainstorm my ideas for a Professional Inquiry then start my plan.
So Campus Session 1 for Module 2 - Professional Inquiry
First of all it was nice to meet those who are tackling module 2 at the same time as me, and Good Luck to all! Last Tuesday was a good day, and an informative opening to Professional Inquiry.
It is time to think about our own roles, it is about me and what I do! Which is a big aspect to WBL. As we were shown yesterday we have a link that goes round in a circle between ourselves the learner, Middlesex Uni our tutors, and our workplace and colleagues. It is now time to use this circle in our research for our plan for our Professional Inquiry and then take it forward in to Module 3 when we undertake the Inquiry.
We now need to consider 'whats ahead', lines of inquiry that interest us, that we will enjoy and what we want to know more about. We now need to consider lines of inquiry that are within what we study and the content of workplace. In the first campus session we also looked at an article on Professional knowledge that showed us the separate sections from your particular role at your work place to the role you play as part of a bigger section. We also talked about our own competency and capability within these roles. Within professional knowledge we can actually take knowledge and look at it in further depth splitting it in to 3 types:-
- Personal - Knowledge from your own experiences and own learning's.
- Tacit - The knowledge that is within ourselves.
- 'Know How' - which is knowledge of knowing how to do something.
Dance Teacher
Generic Skills - Communication
Observation
Listening
Knowing What - Dance genres/styles - Tap, Modern, Jazz, Ballet etc
Rhythms
Techniques
Health and Safety
Knowing How - Physically Demonstrating
Breaking it down
Teaching methods - Mirroring, groups for improvisation
Looking at Professional Inquiry I now need to consider within the area of my own Professional Practice what do I need to develop. What are my own capabilities and what interests me so I can develop these thoughts further, delving in to them and exploring in greater depths to help me work towards my professional inquiry. I need to know what I am a 'beginner' in and look at those areas for possible inquiries.
At the campus session we also talked about the advantages and challenges we could be faced with during an Inquiry based around WBL within our own workplace:-
Advantages
- Your own experiences, easier to tackle problems.
- Better access to tools and research.
- Confidence.
- Networking, more access to contacts within the industry.
- Your own experiences, you have already created opinions and know the downfalls/flaws.
- You can't look from the outside in.
- Possibly be impaired by what you already know, limits new methods.
- Could already have a fixed idea of possible findings.
'Beauty is the eye of the beholder'
During the professional Inquiry I need to learn and make sure that I differentiate between Subjectivity and Objectivity. Being an inside researcher has more risks of being too subjective and I need to make myself aware to be objective which I can make possible by setting criteria.
So............taking on everything that was discussed in the first campus session I can now take this forward and start to develop and brainstorm my ideas for a Professional Inquiry then start my plan.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)