Tuesday 24 April 2012
Sunday 22 April 2012
Saturday 21 April 2012
Link to my Dance Work Photos
Here is the Link to my Dance Work Photos, please have a look.
http://www.Flickr.com/photos/79321269@N06/
http://www.Flickr.com/photos/79321269@N06/
My Dance Photos
Please see link below to check out some of my dance photos, Here is an example of what I do at work :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79321269@N06/?saved=1
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79321269@N06/?saved=1
Wednesday 18 April 2012
Task 3B continued!
I apologise, these are the links for viewing the following diagrams with regards to task 3B;
Maslow's hieracy of human needs; http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=maslows+hieracy+of+needs&form=MSNH90&qs=n&sk=&mkt=en-gb
Bloom's taxonoy; http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=blooms+taxonoy&view=detail&id=5A6D57BEFFCBD8A85E361AC0893E63E3E99E8B21&first=0&FORM=IDFRIR
Maslow's hieracy of human needs; http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=maslows+hieracy+of+needs&form=MSNH90&qs=n&sk=&mkt=en-gb
Bloom's taxonoy; http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=blooms+taxonoy&view=detail&id=5A6D57BEFFCBD8A85E361AC0893E63E3E99E8B21&first=0&FORM=IDFRIR
Monday 16 April 2012
Concepts of the networked professional - Task 3B
The BAPP course reader identified a number of different concepts of the professional network which many of us use within our profession, perhaps subconsciously, naturally, without realising or with an intention. The difficulty here is that human characteristics and environment may determine an individual's purpose for using these network concepts, .and these intentions are likely to remain hidden, resulting in possible conflicts of interest, dishonesty, trust. The main theory which I believe to be open to dishonesty is 'Co-operation.'
Co-operation is the 'Game Theory' 'succeeding at another's expense', 'cooperating till maximum benefit then to defect'. Cooperation is related to this, working with someone in the same business as you who could help you get to the next step. It is the will and the way to win.
" When should a person cooperate, and when should a person be selfish, in an ongoing
interaction with another person? Should a friend keep providing favours to
another friend who never reciprocates? " Robert Axelrod (1984)
I believe that Co-operation is important for every professional. It can help to develop a close network of friends and colleagues. I remain cautious of others however, due to other people's reasons for co-operating. I have experienced dishonesty in the past and personally dislike the "game playing" tactic used by some. If everyone in the profession were honest and true there would be no facade. Unfortunately "If you scratch my back i'll scratch yours" only works as long as the other person wishes to co-operate and not to "stab you in the back" for selfish reward.
I feel that I personally need to work on increasing my affiliation with certain people in my profession/colleagues in order to strength relationships and for increased support. "The desire to form closer relationships" (Chris and Turner 2007:266)
Axelrod suggested we "consider how patterns of stimulus and response within our networks operate, and how we can take advantage of them for our own benefit?"
Affiliation is the formation of human relationships, often to provide support, help us when in need and to survive. Crisp and Turner (2007) advises that "a successful career requires effective professional networking. A lack of affiliation may have a lasting negative impact."
However I use the concept of constructivism on a daily basis. Interacting with other people face to face allows me to learn and grow in my profession. Social construction is how you create and interpret meaning from your experiences of the world through interaction with others.
"Learners must discover their own meaning for a new concept, linked to their own prior learning." (Geoff Petty 2009:104)
As a practitioner in Performing Arts I enjoy maintaining social interaction when possibly. This enables me to interpret meaning and therefore to gain knowledge. Do you think that you many learn using this theory sub consciously more than are perhaps aware of? As from reading and commenting on other BAPP students blogs, i noticed a pattern where many have identified connectivism as one of their most important methods for networking. I can also relate to using this concept, using social networking sites on-line more regularly since starting my BAPP course. Timetabling a specific time slot in which to do this has certainly enabled me to benefit from an expanding social network and in turn to gain increased knowledge.
From Afi Agyerman's blog I followed the link she recommended http://www.linkedin.com/answers/professional-development/professional-networking/PRO_PNT/970489-10197795
Paul N a philanthropic adviser and a networking professional himself believes that connecting with people and sharing ideas is the most important way to move forwards, "the internet gives you the tools to achieve this."he said with regards to the network site linkedin "how does linkedin help? By connecting you with people you already know helps you keepo in touch, increase contact and referral because this address book updates itself".
Connectivism is a more widely used concept since the greater development of technology. It is when learning is influenced by technologies, such as the internet and social networking sites. Knowledge and information is up dated regularly therefore connectivism enables a person to continual evolve. and to stay current. Internet sites such as Blog, Facebook, Google, Twitter enable you to stay in touch with a wider network of people. You can research, gain knowledge, discuss and share ideas and receive feedback. I have found connecting to people on the internet is an effective method for maintaining relationships, allowing discussion within an increased network of colleagues, who you may not have time to speak to face to face on a regular basis with work commitments. I have discovered this concept to personally be more beneficial to me as a learning tool since I have managed to timetable a time slots for networking with others. This enables me to stay current in a rapidly evolving information ecology. Organisational information change. Organisations can also use connectivism as a form of communication and can focus on specialised information, choosing what to circulate and who should and is important for the effectiveness of its employees. This concept will enable colleagues to have access to and learn new information, allowing learners to connect with the right data and to stay current in their field. The individual maintains the freedom to decide on the importance of particular information. Therefore decision making is also a learning process as part of connectivism. The reader suggests that "taking a connectivist perspective, we might suggest a professional network is a system with which we can interact to learn."
Therefore has connectivism become the most effective learning concept for many professionals? Afi Agyerman, Steph Larty, Annie Walker and Ahmet Ahmet blogs all seem to favour connectivism. I agree that connectivism is widely used by many of us specialists as a method of keeping up to date with current trends and views, made possible by the Internet. Surely this form of learning will see a continual growth in practitioners due to constant technology developments and the easy access to information and social networking sites?
"Knowledge furnishes the means of understanding or giving meaning to what is still going on and what is to be done." John Dewey (year: 180)
Albert Bandura proposed that learning can occur in relation to three models, Live, Verbal and symbolic and believed that an individuals behaviour is influenced by their characteristics and the environment. 'In order to learn an individual must pay attention to the features of the modelled behaviour'. Behaviourism is a learning theory which suggests that learning is affected by changes in behaviour, and that behaviour can be conditioned to encourage a particular learning.
"conditioning may result in change in behaviour, but the change may not involve drawing upon experience to generate new knowledge." (infed.org/biblio/b-learn.htm)
Maslow and Bloom created diagrams to demonstrate their belief in how and why humans behave and learn. Maslows hierarchy of needs for learning is based on the study of human learning and behaviour, listing in order the reason why people learn or behave in a particular way.
www.maslowshierarcyofneeds.net/maslows-hierarcy-of-needs-theory/
Whereas Blooms taxonomy of learning (the cognitive domain 1956) categories six major methods for learning, suggesting that knowledge is gained through the development of specific intellectual skills on the individuals. See diagram in link.
www.google.co.uk/images?imgurl=http://uwf.edu/cutla/images/bloom_taxonomy.
What else do you think can be learnt from these theories?
Co-operation is the 'Game Theory' 'succeeding at another's expense', 'cooperating till maximum benefit then to defect'. Cooperation is related to this, working with someone in the same business as you who could help you get to the next step. It is the will and the way to win.
" When should a person cooperate, and when should a person be selfish, in an ongoing
interaction with another person? Should a friend keep providing favours to
another friend who never reciprocates? " Robert Axelrod (1984)
I believe that Co-operation is important for every professional. It can help to develop a close network of friends and colleagues. I remain cautious of others however, due to other people's reasons for co-operating. I have experienced dishonesty in the past and personally dislike the "game playing" tactic used by some. If everyone in the profession were honest and true there would be no facade. Unfortunately "If you scratch my back i'll scratch yours" only works as long as the other person wishes to co-operate and not to "stab you in the back" for selfish reward.
I feel that I personally need to work on increasing my affiliation with certain people in my profession/colleagues in order to strength relationships and for increased support. "The desire to form closer relationships" (Chris and Turner 2007:266)
Axelrod suggested we "consider how patterns of stimulus and response within our networks operate, and how we can take advantage of them for our own benefit?"
Affiliation is the formation of human relationships, often to provide support, help us when in need and to survive. Crisp and Turner (2007) advises that "a successful career requires effective professional networking. A lack of affiliation may have a lasting negative impact."
However I use the concept of constructivism on a daily basis. Interacting with other people face to face allows me to learn and grow in my profession. Social construction is how you create and interpret meaning from your experiences of the world through interaction with others.
"Learners must discover their own meaning for a new concept, linked to their own prior learning." (Geoff Petty 2009:104)
As a practitioner in Performing Arts I enjoy maintaining social interaction when possibly. This enables me to interpret meaning and therefore to gain knowledge. Do you think that you many learn using this theory sub consciously more than are perhaps aware of? As from reading and commenting on other BAPP students blogs, i noticed a pattern where many have identified connectivism as one of their most important methods for networking. I can also relate to using this concept, using social networking sites on-line more regularly since starting my BAPP course. Timetabling a specific time slot in which to do this has certainly enabled me to benefit from an expanding social network and in turn to gain increased knowledge.
From Afi Agyerman's blog I followed the link she recommended http://www.linkedin.com/answers/professional-development/professional-networking/PRO_PNT/970489-10197795
Paul N a philanthropic adviser and a networking professional himself believes that connecting with people and sharing ideas is the most important way to move forwards, "the internet gives you the tools to achieve this."he said with regards to the network site linkedin "how does linkedin help? By connecting you with people you already know helps you keepo in touch, increase contact and referral because this address book updates itself".
Connectivism is a more widely used concept since the greater development of technology. It is when learning is influenced by technologies, such as the internet and social networking sites. Knowledge and information is up dated regularly therefore connectivism enables a person to continual evolve. and to stay current. Internet sites such as Blog, Facebook, Google, Twitter enable you to stay in touch with a wider network of people. You can research, gain knowledge, discuss and share ideas and receive feedback. I have found connecting to people on the internet is an effective method for maintaining relationships, allowing discussion within an increased network of colleagues, who you may not have time to speak to face to face on a regular basis with work commitments. I have discovered this concept to personally be more beneficial to me as a learning tool since I have managed to timetable a time slots for networking with others. This enables me to stay current in a rapidly evolving information ecology. Organisational information change. Organisations can also use connectivism as a form of communication and can focus on specialised information, choosing what to circulate and who should and is important for the effectiveness of its employees. This concept will enable colleagues to have access to and learn new information, allowing learners to connect with the right data and to stay current in their field. The individual maintains the freedom to decide on the importance of particular information. Therefore decision making is also a learning process as part of connectivism. The reader suggests that "taking a connectivist perspective, we might suggest a professional network is a system with which we can interact to learn."
Therefore has connectivism become the most effective learning concept for many professionals? Afi Agyerman, Steph Larty, Annie Walker and Ahmet Ahmet blogs all seem to favour connectivism. I agree that connectivism is widely used by many of us specialists as a method of keeping up to date with current trends and views, made possible by the Internet. Surely this form of learning will see a continual growth in practitioners due to constant technology developments and the easy access to information and social networking sites?
"Knowledge furnishes the means of understanding or giving meaning to what is still going on and what is to be done." John Dewey (year: 180)
Albert Bandura proposed that learning can occur in relation to three models, Live, Verbal and symbolic and believed that an individuals behaviour is influenced by their characteristics and the environment. 'In order to learn an individual must pay attention to the features of the modelled behaviour'. Behaviourism is a learning theory which suggests that learning is affected by changes in behaviour, and that behaviour can be conditioned to encourage a particular learning.
"conditioning may result in change in behaviour, but the change may not involve drawing upon experience to generate new knowledge." (infed.org/biblio/b-learn.htm)
Maslow and Bloom created diagrams to demonstrate their belief in how and why humans behave and learn. Maslows hierarchy of needs for learning is based on the study of human learning and behaviour, listing in order the reason why people learn or behave in a particular way.
www.maslowshierarcyofneeds.net/maslows-hierarcy-of-needs-theory/
Whereas Blooms taxonomy of learning (the cognitive domain 1956) categories six major methods for learning, suggesting that knowledge is gained through the development of specific intellectual skills on the individuals. See diagram in link.
www.google.co.uk/images?imgurl=http://uwf.edu/cutla/images/bloom_taxonomy.
What else do you think can be learnt from these theories?
Saturday 7 April 2012
Sources of Information - Task 3C
I use a wide selection of sources to support and enhance my professional practise. I have decided to list these in order of personal importance.
1) The first source is Friends and Colleagues.
These are the people who are in my close social network and who I share, discuss and reflect ideas. I value my friends and colleagues a great deal. They, in some way, have influenced who I am, how I manage my professional demure and inspire me in my current teacching profession. For example my work colleague Jeni is a drama teacher and teaches a few dance classes. I am a dance teacher who teaches some drama classes. We share schemes of work and ideas for lessons. We talk on a daily basis at work, often reflecting on our own experiences of that day. I feel I rely upon this source to inspire me.
2) Websites
I use websites as a source of retriving information. This is my most effective research tool. From using Google I can increase my own knowledge. This search engine enables you to search the web for almost anything, about any topic. You Tube is also very valuable to support my current teaching practise as it allows me to research current dance styles and trends and to gain inspiration for new choreography. Facebook is another valuable website. This links to my first source of information, giving me easy access to friends and colleagues who I perhaps would otherwise not have time to speak to (due to work and family life). Facebook is becoming more important as a method in which to expand my social network. Also from reading Simone Grandjean's post I have discovered that you can also use Facebook to view audition and job advertisements. I also thank Ahmet Ahmet for his insight into the importance of using the TES website for support with my drama teaching. I plan to explore ideas for warm up activities and to read other peoples lesson plans.
3) BTEC
Dance is an expressive form of Art that has many styles and genres. It is therefore highly important that you plan the content of lessons to suit the requirements of the syllabus which you are teaching. I need to ensure that my students can meet the criteria to achieve their highest possible grade. The content of my lessons needs to match the syllabus. When teaching my BTEC sixth form students I I read the BTEC level 3 syllabus before planning my lessons. This outlines the grading criteria and also gives ideas for schemes of work to follow. I make sure that my students are familiar with the grading criteria and use this to assess my students on a regular basis.
4) ISTD
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing is the awarding body where i recieved my specialist teaching qualifications, of which I have been a member for the past ten years. All of my training from a young child was in dance genres (modern, tap, ballet, jazz) which used the ISTD syllabus. These grades and vocational grades train a person both technique and artistry. Technique is important to ensure a healthy body, to prevent injury and to increase individual strength and flexibility. Artistry is important to demonstrate style and personality in your performance, helping you to stand out from the crowd and to be successful gaining work. The ISTD update their syllabus's regularly. Through attending courses and seminars I can ensure that I maintain my own dance abilities and keep up to date with current dance trends. The ISTD also supply insurance and are the awarding body who linked me to Middlesex University for this BAPP course.
5) Teaching Union
I am a member of the NASUWT teaching Union. This is important as a source of information on a wider network. The Union supply me with up to date information on Government policies and regulations. It enables me to check my work requirements with those of others internationally to make sure that the requests of my work place remain fair. The Union can also be used as a tool to support personal issues within the work place. We have a Union Rep at my school who meets with all members once a month. These discussions are valuable to reflect on my current teaching experiences, so even though this source is used less frequently it remains an important part of my continual professional development.
1) The first source is Friends and Colleagues.
These are the people who are in my close social network and who I share, discuss and reflect ideas. I value my friends and colleagues a great deal. They, in some way, have influenced who I am, how I manage my professional demure and inspire me in my current teacching profession. For example my work colleague Jeni is a drama teacher and teaches a few dance classes. I am a dance teacher who teaches some drama classes. We share schemes of work and ideas for lessons. We talk on a daily basis at work, often reflecting on our own experiences of that day. I feel I rely upon this source to inspire me.
2) Websites
I use websites as a source of retriving information. This is my most effective research tool. From using Google I can increase my own knowledge. This search engine enables you to search the web for almost anything, about any topic. You Tube is also very valuable to support my current teaching practise as it allows me to research current dance styles and trends and to gain inspiration for new choreography. Facebook is another valuable website. This links to my first source of information, giving me easy access to friends and colleagues who I perhaps would otherwise not have time to speak to (due to work and family life). Facebook is becoming more important as a method in which to expand my social network. Also from reading Simone Grandjean's post I have discovered that you can also use Facebook to view audition and job advertisements. I also thank Ahmet Ahmet for his insight into the importance of using the TES website for support with my drama teaching. I plan to explore ideas for warm up activities and to read other peoples lesson plans.
3) BTEC
Dance is an expressive form of Art that has many styles and genres. It is therefore highly important that you plan the content of lessons to suit the requirements of the syllabus which you are teaching. I need to ensure that my students can meet the criteria to achieve their highest possible grade. The content of my lessons needs to match the syllabus. When teaching my BTEC sixth form students I I read the BTEC level 3 syllabus before planning my lessons. This outlines the grading criteria and also gives ideas for schemes of work to follow. I make sure that my students are familiar with the grading criteria and use this to assess my students on a regular basis.
4) ISTD
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing is the awarding body where i recieved my specialist teaching qualifications, of which I have been a member for the past ten years. All of my training from a young child was in dance genres (modern, tap, ballet, jazz) which used the ISTD syllabus. These grades and vocational grades train a person both technique and artistry. Technique is important to ensure a healthy body, to prevent injury and to increase individual strength and flexibility. Artistry is important to demonstrate style and personality in your performance, helping you to stand out from the crowd and to be successful gaining work. The ISTD update their syllabus's regularly. Through attending courses and seminars I can ensure that I maintain my own dance abilities and keep up to date with current dance trends. The ISTD also supply insurance and are the awarding body who linked me to Middlesex University for this BAPP course.
5) Teaching Union
I am a member of the NASUWT teaching Union. This is important as a source of information on a wider network. The Union supply me with up to date information on Government policies and regulations. It enables me to check my work requirements with those of others internationally to make sure that the requests of my work place remain fair. The Union can also be used as a tool to support personal issues within the work place. We have a Union Rep at my school who meets with all members once a month. These discussions are valuable to reflect on my current teaching experiences, so even though this source is used less frequently it remains an important part of my continual professional development.
Sunday 1 April 2012
The Networked Professional Task 3A
I attended the campus session on 22nd March with Alan Durrant, which focused on "Networking". The class discussed Networking in depth before separating into smaller groups to devise a visual to represent our own current networks. My group created a diagram which represented our own networks in the form of a universe. Those people closer to us were near the centre of the universe while those we rarely see where in another solar system.
This visual tool helped me to reflect on the importance of individuals within my own network. It demonstrated who is currently closer to me and who is further away. I have discovered that those further away are mostly the people from my past. Because of the path I have chosen in my career I may not have regular intervention with my previous college principal and employer, however they have given me my knowledge and influenced who I am today. This has highlighted people who I desire to bring closer to my earth's core.
In order to do this I must make more time to network with particular professionals. This could also support my own teaching experiences and future job opportunities, so is well worth investing my time in. However, on a day to day basis (with an ever increasing workload) this is a challenge. I have taken this into consideration before making decisions and taking steps to improve my own professional networks.
I have decided the most effective methods to make some positive changes to my professional networking are to set up a new Facebook account for dance colleagues and work related friends, who can browse my profile without the risk of them seeing too much personal detail. My profile photo does not identify me (reducing the risk of fraud or stalking), I will remain selective when adding new friends and I have increased the privacy settings to prevent others outside of my network viewing my blogs. I will maintain a professional manner when posting news and photos and intend to use this social networking site to increase my conversations, observations and feedback from other practioners who share similar interests at work. You can visit my link below;
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100003715278018
I will also endeavour to maximise my potential for continual professional development through attending more meetings at work, observing lessons / taken on board constructive feedback and to engage more widely in inspirational discussions from other BAPP students such as Jo and Ahmet, who often express, share and reflect ideas.
In order to do this I must make more time to network with particular professionals. This could also support my own teaching experiences and future job opportunities, so is well worth investing my time in. However, on a day to day basis (with an ever increasing workload) this is a challenge. I have taken this into consideration before making decisions and taking steps to improve my own professional networks.
I have decided the most effective methods to make some positive changes to my professional networking are to set up a new Facebook account for dance colleagues and work related friends, who can browse my profile without the risk of them seeing too much personal detail. My profile photo does not identify me (reducing the risk of fraud or stalking), I will remain selective when adding new friends and I have increased the privacy settings to prevent others outside of my network viewing my blogs. I will maintain a professional manner when posting news and photos and intend to use this social networking site to increase my conversations, observations and feedback from other practioners who share similar interests at work. You can visit my link below;
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100003715278018
I will also endeavour to maximise my potential for continual professional development through attending more meetings at work, observing lessons / taken on board constructive feedback and to engage more widely in inspirational discussions from other BAPP students such as Jo and Ahmet, who often express, share and reflect ideas.
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