BAPP Course Blogs

After a frustrating week of being unable to access my blogspot (amongst other things) I am now back!  So last week, I had a Module 3 skype chat with Helen, Gonzalo, Hannah, Alisha and Eleanor. This was very helpful, as we got to talk with one another and see where we were and where we were heading.  I'll be honest, it was quite quiet at times, as I find it's hard to have a conversation with people you can't actually see! But with Helens help and a little probing, once we got onto a conversation, it really started to flow.  It was very useful hearing about others techniques when it comes to their tools for the inquiry. I think most, if not all of us are doing interviews, and with the fact that I have recently had to edit my inquiry's purpose (for the better) it was great to hear how others have been doing!  A lot of their points I have written down, including the most important point which is not to ask them a closed question. With my inquiry I want and ne

So I have recently received my feedback from Adesola, and it was extremely helpful so I wanted to have a short discussion with her about where I went from there. So tonight I had a skype chat with her and here are my thoughts after.... My aims and objectives have changed quite dramatically now. One of my first aims was to try and create a simple definition of ‘’what is community dance?’’ After speaking with Adesola, colleagues and looking at several pieces of literature, I have found that this would completely defeat the object of community dance itself. It cannot be specified into one short definition as it is an extremely vast subject. It is not a technique within dance, but an approach instead. Many practitioners will all have different opinions on what is community dance, and they are all right. What I have discovered so far is that there isn’t really a ‘wrong’ answer. Community dance is about empowering and creating opportunities within the dance world, using the community the p

One of my pieces of literature i am reading is ''An introduction to community dance practice'' Diane Amans (2008). So far, this book has really intrigued me and I must say I am hooked. I have made so many notes on this book and I am barely halfway through!  I decided to mind map a couple of points (as I find mind maps very useful and easy to read) and I thought I would share these with you. The first, is what differences to look for when teaching in a community dance setting (however this can easily be applied to all teaching settings). Apologies for the bad quality, my camera is currently broken!  When writing these out, I was automatically comparing my own practice and thinking about whether I do already look out for these, or whether I need to start to. I must admit, it is a bit of both! I like to focus on learning needs and methods within my classes, but looking at this, there is so much more that I need to include.  Secondly, is Diane Amans '

Hi all,  So summer is officially over, and I think the weather is definitely reminding us of that!  During the summer I had a lot of free time, so I was researching and planning for the year ahead, as well as going along to so many interviews for new job opportunities to help develop my career.  As this was the first week back at university it was time to put my plans to practice. I must admit I have struggled having such a huge gap between modules but I am now feeling ready and replenished to give Module 3 my all!  Let's get going! I am now working in 2 different stage schools, one is definitely more community based. Alongside this I am still working for the same dance company where I teach all ages from 3-100 years old (and that is no exaggeration). They have also offered me office work within their company which is amazing as I can learn what goes on 'behind the scenes' when running your own company. I have also signed up to 2 different agency's

So as I haven't posted since handing in my final Module 2 bits and bobs, I thought it was about time I updated you guys as to what I've been doing on here.  Firstly, as i had a pretty hectic year I decided to give myself a break for a couple of  weeks. Just to relax and set my brain back to 0 once more.  More recently I have been reading and writing lots and lots of notes down ready for the next and final module. I am currently going through a few different books based on community dance, but if anyone has any recommendations that would be fab! I have spoken to a few of my colleagues as well and they are all rummaging through their book shelves for me too which is lovely!  I am thoroughly enjoying this and learning so many new things ready for me to put into practice when September starts and the new terms begin.  I'll keep you updated with ideas and my tryouts to see what works and what doesn't (hoping they all do!) Anyways that's me of

So for the past few weeks I have been extremely busy preparing my final submission for Module 2. The plan for my final inquiry.  This final process for this module has taken up a lot of my time and brain! I honestly have struggled having anything else in my mind. Which was great! I've loved really delving into this final part of the module, finding more resources and research material and now I am finally starting to see my inquiry coming together. It's not been easy, but I do love a challenge.  Despite having struggled at the beginning of this module, I have really grasped the concept now and have thoroughly enjoyed it.  I'm about to hand my final document in for submission and not only will it be a huge relief but I will be able to focus my mind on preparing for the next step with this course.