Monday 29th April 2013
After my successful skype session and a lot of thinking, I now have a week off work and I have already begun to write out my inquiry plan in essay form. I should love to be able to send a draft copy to Rosemary within good time in case there are any major alterations to be made!
I shall continue to crack on with it now...
Monday 29 April 2013
Tuesday 23 April 2013
Skype session...
Tuesday 23rd April 2013
Just a quick note before I go off to my ballet class (yes, I now go to a local class once a week!)...
Had a very useful and informative Skype conversation with Rosemary last night. I am now much clearer on my inquiry direction and have received useful feedback which I shall take into account immediately. I know what I want to do and how to go about it.. it just needs to be done now.
I want to do further research and find relevant literature items to help and support my chosen title.
It is great that I now feel so much more confident with my inquiry as I felt as though I'd reached a brick wall. There is still a lot to do but at least I know exactly where I am heading.
Thanks Rosemary!
I look forward to having a good session on my inquiry and working it all out. I shall keep going in little bursts this week but have next week off so can spend longer on it then.
Hope everyone is getting on ok and enjoying the sunshine!
Just a quick note before I go off to my ballet class (yes, I now go to a local class once a week!)...
Had a very useful and informative Skype conversation with Rosemary last night. I am now much clearer on my inquiry direction and have received useful feedback which I shall take into account immediately. I know what I want to do and how to go about it.. it just needs to be done now.
I want to do further research and find relevant literature items to help and support my chosen title.
It is great that I now feel so much more confident with my inquiry as I felt as though I'd reached a brick wall. There is still a lot to do but at least I know exactly where I am heading.
Thanks Rosemary!
I look forward to having a good session on my inquiry and working it all out. I shall keep going in little bursts this week but have next week off so can spend longer on it then.
Hope everyone is getting on ok and enjoying the sunshine!
Sunday 21 April 2013
Reflecting...
Sunday 21st April 2013
It is another beautiful sunny day here in Brighton so I am cracking on with work this morning so that I can enjoy my book on the beach in the afternoon..!
Having already completed the surveys and had some excellent results in (which I have previously blogged about) I am beginning to see how reaching out and networking with other people gives us more to work from and further information and research. Without connecting with others we can not increase our field of knowledge and will not gather further references and opinions. I need to get a variety of views to be able to compare the results to get an average idea of how dancers feel/felt during professional training.
I should like to plan and sort out some observations and be able to attend classes to gain more knowledge on my chosen inquiry title. I am now sending out a questionnaire to previous dance teachers including the questions in my 'pilot interview for dance teachers' so that I can see the view from the other side to my ideas.
I am looking forward to receiving the results so that I can extend what I have gathered already and have other sources to work from.
Watch this space.
It is another beautiful sunny day here in Brighton so I am cracking on with work this morning so that I can enjoy my book on the beach in the afternoon..!
Having already completed the surveys and had some excellent results in (which I have previously blogged about) I am beginning to see how reaching out and networking with other people gives us more to work from and further information and research. Without connecting with others we can not increase our field of knowledge and will not gather further references and opinions. I need to get a variety of views to be able to compare the results to get an average idea of how dancers feel/felt during professional training.
I should like to plan and sort out some observations and be able to attend classes to gain more knowledge on my chosen inquiry title. I am now sending out a questionnaire to previous dance teachers including the questions in my 'pilot interview for dance teachers' so that I can see the view from the other side to my ideas.
I am looking forward to receiving the results so that I can extend what I have gathered already and have other sources to work from.
Watch this space.
Thursday 18 April 2013
Pilot observation...
Thursday 18th April 2013
"Using observation as a method of data collection can be time-consuming because it involves attending the session being observed, for example a dance class or a client-related transaction, and the time needed to analyse and interpret what you have recorded. However, observation often provides a rich source of information of a behavioural nature that will yield information about the interpersonal relations of those being observed" - Course Reader 6
I completely agree. Although an observation may seem a little time consuming, the time and effort put in is definitely worth it. We can gain so much from seeing things first hand whether it be the body language used, the tone of voices or the expressions and reactions used. I should love to be able to observe a ballet class taught at a vocational school.
During the observation I should like to look for the following:
- How much praise is given to students?
- If given, is it equal amongst students?
- Are corrections given as constructive criticism or negative feedback?
- How do the different students react to given praise/correction?
- Does their performance improve or decrease in quality when given feedback?
- Student body language/expressions
- Teacher's approach
- Voice tone and gestures of teacher
- Overall atmosphere
I would want to take my own written notes through out so that I understand them and am able to write all that I should wish to. When it comes to gathering my information, I should have the sufficient details that I require.
I should hope that those participating in the class would carry on as normal, as if I weren't there and allow themselves to react and perform as they always do. I would want to see their 'true' class situation which leads me to think that maybe I would have to observe more than one session to enable the students to get used to me watching and feel comfortable enough to ignore my presence!
Tuesday 16 April 2013
Surveys
Tuesday 16th April 2013
I can't believe it is already half way through April. A quick blog post before I head off to work!
Having already created and tested a survey, it is a tool that I shall definitely use again to help my line of inquiry. It is similar to an interview as I am able to choose the questions, how they are answered and it can be taken by whoever I feel necessary.
It is a faster process than an interview and it is ideal having all results come together so that I can see the varied responses and compare what the individuals have to say. As wanted for a pilot interview, the answers on surveys remain anonymous so I have already seen that those participating have been extremely honest and in some cases, very detailed - exactly what I am after.
It is possible to send a survey out to as many people as possible and is less time consuming than sitting down with each individual to interview them. They can complete it at their own pace and do not have to answer should they not wish to.
The one downside to not asking the questions on a face-to-face basis means I am unable to see the reactions to questions or the expressions and body language used when answering. I think that if a participant was not saying as much as they could, their mannerisms etc may give more away about how they are truthfully feeling.
I shall plan another survey at a later date to explore more, and, like my pilot interviews, I should like to create one for the dance teachers also.
I can't believe it is already half way through April. A quick blog post before I head off to work!
Having already created and tested a survey, it is a tool that I shall definitely use again to help my line of inquiry. It is similar to an interview as I am able to choose the questions, how they are answered and it can be taken by whoever I feel necessary.
It is a faster process than an interview and it is ideal having all results come together so that I can see the varied responses and compare what the individuals have to say. As wanted for a pilot interview, the answers on surveys remain anonymous so I have already seen that those participating have been extremely honest and in some cases, very detailed - exactly what I am after.
It is possible to send a survey out to as many people as possible and is less time consuming than sitting down with each individual to interview them. They can complete it at their own pace and do not have to answer should they not wish to.
The one downside to not asking the questions on a face-to-face basis means I am unable to see the reactions to questions or the expressions and body language used when answering. I think that if a participant was not saying as much as they could, their mannerisms etc may give more away about how they are truthfully feeling.
I shall plan another survey at a later date to explore more, and, like my pilot interviews, I should like to create one for the dance teachers also.
Sunday 14 April 2013
Saturday 13 April 2013
Pilot plans...
Saturday 13th April 2013
The weather is miserable outside and will be for the rest of the day so what a good time to sit down with a cuppa and some chocolate and begin pilot copies of interviews etc for part 6. I am going to produce them in Google docs so keep your eyes peeled for further updates!
I will do them in order seen on the task in the Handbook so shall begin with a pilot interview. I should like to interview students from various dance schools (ex students too, including some of the BAPP students) and also some of my previous teachers - if willing to participate, to see how their training affected their mental state... which then will reflect on their own teaching methods.
The weather is miserable outside and will be for the rest of the day so what a good time to sit down with a cuppa and some chocolate and begin pilot copies of interviews etc for part 6. I am going to produce them in Google docs so keep your eyes peeled for further updates!
I will do them in order seen on the task in the Handbook so shall begin with a pilot interview. I should like to interview students from various dance schools (ex students too, including some of the BAPP students) and also some of my previous teachers - if willing to participate, to see how their training affected their mental state... which then will reflect on their own teaching methods.
Friday 12 April 2013
Back in the loop
Friday 12th April 2013
The past couple of weeks have been extremely busy and tiring. I have been notified of updates in SIGs etc and have been trying to keep up.. This weekend isn't too hectic so I will make my best efforts to catch up and crack on with part 6.
Just a few quick thoughts...
I am constantly brainstorming the way we all think about our every day lives, as well as just dancers. It is so easy to get caught up in everything and not taking the time to stop and allow our thoughts and emotions process. I have seen this in myself the past few weeks. Things haven't been the best they can be recently and I have been so keen to keep busy and distracted, I am almost not letting myself think about it all properly. I know I need to slow down and allow everything to go through the motions so that I can put them to one side and move on in a positive direction. There is always someone worse off than ourselves and we must make the most of what we have. I get frustrated with myself that I do not 'let things go' and they seem to continue to circle on and on in my mind.
My focus next week is to have a more positive approach, take each day as it comes but once I reach the end of each day I should like to think of all of the good, interesting things that have happened or that I have learnt as opposed to the negatives. For dancers, this would be a good way to control their emotional state as they would then not have too much weight on their shoulders. Every correction, praise, new piece learnt etc can be taken into consideration and focused on, rather than all becoming one big blur.
The past couple of weeks have been extremely busy and tiring. I have been notified of updates in SIGs etc and have been trying to keep up.. This weekend isn't too hectic so I will make my best efforts to catch up and crack on with part 6.
Just a few quick thoughts...
I am constantly brainstorming the way we all think about our every day lives, as well as just dancers. It is so easy to get caught up in everything and not taking the time to stop and allow our thoughts and emotions process. I have seen this in myself the past few weeks. Things haven't been the best they can be recently and I have been so keen to keep busy and distracted, I am almost not letting myself think about it all properly. I know I need to slow down and allow everything to go through the motions so that I can put them to one side and move on in a positive direction. There is always someone worse off than ourselves and we must make the most of what we have. I get frustrated with myself that I do not 'let things go' and they seem to continue to circle on and on in my mind.
My focus next week is to have a more positive approach, take each day as it comes but once I reach the end of each day I should like to think of all of the good, interesting things that have happened or that I have learnt as opposed to the negatives. For dancers, this would be a good way to control their emotional state as they would then not have too much weight on their shoulders. Every correction, praise, new piece learnt etc can be taken into consideration and focused on, rather than all becoming one big blur.
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