Saturday 5 January 2013

3d: Critical questions and issues that emerge


It's the 5th January 2013, and I'm writing up the last blog of the first module. As you can tell, I'm behind again!!!  I read Adesola's helpful tips on completing the critical reflection, and her advice not to panic about completing all of the tasks. Although I understand her thoughts completely on this, I knew that for me psychologically, I needed to feel that I had completed the first module fully.I needed to have extracted all that I possibly could and explored all of the new concepts that I was introduced to before I could move forward.

Critically reflecting on the module, I can see how I've changed. I've definitely adopted a more critical approach to my professional practice. and my professional networking tools. I now question everything that I do and why I am doing it.

Time Management - Starting the course late due to work commitments, I have always felt I was playing 'catch-up'. This has forced me to evaluate my personal time management skills. I have struggled to find time to complete all of the work for this module in the time given. This has left me frustrated at times, feeling that my blogs were rushed and of poor quality. Although I have read with great interest, fellow students' blogs, I feel I haven't interacted with others as much as I could have done. I see this as a definite area for development.

Due to work being so hard to find in this industry, it is extremely difficult to turn any offers down. However, because of the panto job, I have only had a couple of days free since I started the course and this really hasn't been enough to complete the tasks as well as I feel I could do.  Initially I hoped to be able to blog in the dressing room and between shows, but I soon realised that I wasn't that clever and needed to take time to concentrate and read around the subject.  I have had to look at my planning processes and time management. I have made the decision to dedicate more time to study for the upcoming tasks. I really want to get this degree and aim to make this my priority for 2013.

- Blogging is a new networking tool for me and now I can't understand why I hadn't blogged before.  When I first started on the course, I was amazed by just how many people I knew, some of whom I hadn't seen in years.  I have spent hours catching up on old friends' blogs and it has been such an encouragement for me to see their success. 
 (Sina Leigh who I used to do panto with every year when we were in our early teens, Nancy Osbaldeston who is a good friend from dancing school days, Alicia Beck who I remember from dance festivals, Emily Harris who I went to College with and Steph Larty who worked with me on my last contract. Such a small world.).

Blogs have also become a great source of knowledge to me. They introduced me to new concepts and ideas, such as creating mind maps, blogging in poetry and pictures, creating professional Facebook pages and joining twitter, etc. My aim for the next module is to get involved and interact more with fellow students.  I feel that I have not been as involved as I could have been. I also hope to continue to explore new concepts.

Looking at fellow students' blogs it seems that we have all at times been overwhelmed with the work. It is good to know that we all share the same experiences.  I feel such a connection with my fellow bloggers and at times reading about their experiences has kept me focused and motivated.  It is refreshing and inspiring to read about their achievements.  I was so pleased for Chelsie Johnson, as I'm sure everyone else was. When she got the job in pantomime, I could see why she chose the job over the holiday in Florida. We are a unique breed in the performing world, always chasing the dream and the next job.

 - Computer skills - Since starting this course I have a greater appreciation of Web 2.0 and the use of media sources as a networking tool.  Creating a blog and building up a professional profile has helped build my confidence in computer technologies. I have been able to put these skills into practice, sending out my show reel and links to my flickr account to prospective employers. I plan to continue to build on my existing skills in order to give me an advantage in the recruitment and audition processes.  I do however still realise the importance of face to face contact, telephone conversations, sending out hard copy C.Vs by post, keeping a diary and writing letters. I believe that there is still a place for conventional methods of communication in our increasingly technology-driven world.

- Introduction to the Theorists - Personally, I found this the most fascinating part of module one which led me on to a process of self-discovery.  I discovered that I learnt best by visual stimuli and this has changed how I study. Understanding how people learn can only help me in the future to recognise these different learning styles in others and help me design suitable and varied methods for teaching others. 

Reading about Axelrod's theory of cooperation was also thought provoking, exploring the idea that people only enter relationships to see what they can get out of them.  It has made me reflect on my professional contacts and what those relationships achieve. I also feel this will be a useful tool for me when teaching as a collusion method.

-Critical reflection now forms part of my daily life. I suppose I always did it, but I didn't analyse or make decisions based on my critical reflections before, or even put a name to it.  I now use reflection to decide what course of action to take. For example, by critically reflecting back on this first module and the problems I have faced with time management, I have been able to evaluate my commitment and make the decision to turn down long term contracts overseas. This may seem fool hardy to some, but it is a gamble I am willing to take at this stage in my career, as my success on this course is extremely important to me.





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Tuesday 1 January 2013

Happy New Year:) x

Finally I have finished my essay...yay!!!! I am hoping to get it bound and sent off tomorrow. I can't say that it has been easy, trying to juggle panto and the course, but I'm hoping that I've done enough.  

I finish panto on the 6th of January, and will then be unemployed for the first time since I finished College in 2010.  However, I have made the decision not to take on cruise contracts or long contracts overseas this year as I have spent so much time abroad and I want to concentrate on this course and spend time with my boyfriend, friends and family.  I am hoping that I can find some work in the U.K.

I just want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and let's hope it's a good one for all of us.

Betty xxxx

3C Sources of Information

Following on from connectivism and afiliation we are asked to explore our top five information networks. Looking at other students' blogs on the subject, I am not surprised to find that, like me, most students choose the internet as their top vessel for sourcing information.  The internet has become the new 'word of mouth' communication tool and, with information technology evolving almost daily, with the creating of devices such as the iPhone and iPad, one is able to source information immediately, at the touch of a button. 

My main sources of information are as follows:

1. Internet Sites:  Dancers Pro, Singers Pro, Ents Web.  These web sites are specifically designed for professional performers:
 
http://www.dancerspro.com/uk/

http://www.singerspro.com/uk/

http://www.entsweb.ltd.uk/jobs

I use all of these sites to gain information about auditions and castings and also as a means to find out about prospective employers, dance agencies companies etc.  They have blog pages where you can interact with other professionals, which is often useful for asking other users about industry related queries.  Employers can view my profile and my showreel, whilst I can update my professional information and contact details at any time.  My account is linked to my email account and I am alerted instantly on my phone when any messages are left on my profile page, which gives me a distinct advantage when applying for auditions.

2. Google:  I have my internet homepage set to Google. I find it so convenient as a search engine, being able to just type in what it is I'm looking for and get instant results.  A good example is searching for sheet music. I can find the music, pay for it, download it and print it off within minutes. This has saved me hours and hours of time hunting around music shops.  I use Google for almost everything I need to know, including the weather, information I need for this blog, the local cinema times and researching particular dances etc. 

3.YouTube:  I have only recently started using YouTube in a professional capacity.  I have my own showreel account and I send out the link to prospective employers, casting directors etc. It has become a valuable research tool for me too, as I can look at how other performers have interpreted or acted certain roles I am auditioning for, or to look and listen to how singers have portrayed their version of certain songs.

4.  The Stage: www.thestage.co.uk .  This is a newspaper for the performing arts industry. I don't buy the paper, I read it online.  It has information about current art issues, funding etc, as well as reviews of new shows and, most importantly, has a section for jobs and auditions allowing me to apply for anything that I think I might be suitable for.  It also keeps me up to date with current activities in the entertainment industry.  I also have this as an app on my iPhone, so I can read it on the train or tube.

5.  Blogs:  This is a very recent source of information, but one that I find myself using more and more.  Blogging has become a big part of my daily life, as I spend lots of time writing my blogs and looking at other people's blogs on the various components of the BAPP course.  When I was unable to attend the campus sessions due to work commitments, I felt I was not penalised at all as I was able to read the course tutor's, and fellow students', blogs on the day. Because of this, I could take detailed notes and even attempt some of the activities.  As well as gaining valuable information I have been able to interact with other students in the same 'boat' as me, and this has been a comfort at times when I haven't understood what I should be doing.

I have been honest in my top five sources of information and it is, I suppose, sad that one of my top five sources is not face to face contact with friends and colleagues.  However, it is an ever evolving technological age we now live in, where Facebook, twitter etc., have, to some extent, replaced verbal communication.  Also, it is interesting that even newspapers, books and journals have evolved to fit these new technologies, as they can often be downloaded onto our computers, iPhones or Kindles.  I have also made the choice to not list my agent. This is because I am not particularly close to my agent and I have not found them to be a good source of information. Most of my professional contracts I have found myself and I have never found my agent to be easily accessible or particularly approachable.