Time flies by!!

Well its been a few weeks now since the Oral presentation but I haven't found the time to blog about my experience. I was so nervous going to campus for the first and last time and to put faces to the people I had been communicating with for the past 15 months. I was very fortunate to be giving my presentation to a friendly and supportive group of people and this helped me to feel a lot more at ease.

I found it challenging to communicate everything I had learnt in 15 months into a 10 minute presentation and was not sure if my oral presentation would be sufficient.

If I have any tips for future BAPP students it would be:

• Consider presentation tools such as powerpoint or prezzi (my personal choice) - what communicates your journey and research best?

• Distinguish between your artefact and oral presentation - If you have a slideshow or powerpoint as your artefact, make sure it is different to your oral presentation

• Read the additional reading about delivering an effective presentation - They helped me to think about how I stood, how I spoke and delivered the presentation. (I noticed I had a very bad habit of saying "erm..." and rocking back and forth!)

• Read your presentation aloud and time it

• Write out prompt cards to help you in case you loose track but DO NOT look down and read of them for the whole 10 minutes!

• Pick the most important information and cut anything superfluous 

• DO NOT overload the slides with too much text and small fonts. Make it clear, readable and engaging

• Relax, breathe and speak at a steady pace

Below is the link to my presentation - Hope it helps! x

Oral Presentation Prezzi

Oral Presentation Panic!

Although it was a relief to hand in all the written work, oral presentations are tomorrow!

I am more nervous to stand up in front of a classroom and deliver a presentation than to perform on stage to a full auditorium!

Despite reading the handbook and blogs over and over I am still unsure as to whether my presentation will be what is required. Despite discussing with my tutor - I struggle to put across what I want to!!

I plan to blog about the presentations after so that others can learn from my experience.

Good luck to everyone!

Interview Questions and Answers

Interview Questions and Answers- Anonymous


The Interview Questions and Answers were sent to the gatekeeper/interviewee for approval before being used as an informative source in the inquiry.

Methods of data collection

Whilst working professionally as a dance teacher I have found how time consuming preparation is. Daily I am drafting class plans, assessing, choreographing, preparing for shows and exams, learning new syllabi, updating playlists, printing scripts... the list goes on.

This on top of my BAPP work has been very challenging and although I am used to working to time constraints within my professional practice, when the work load was increased it was essential for me to adapt to the timescale and consider the tools planned for my inquiry.

Although I had planned to record interviews and transcribe. I found myself taking down notes in the interview so that I had answers in front of me there and then. This was extremely useful as I was able to look through my notes towards the end of the interview to see if any responses needed further detail. Had I simply just recorded the interview I may not have picked up on any unclarified questions.

It was also quicker to type up my notes, relay them back to the interviewee in an email for approval. Although using an unplanned recording method, I was still able to revert back to the interview if needed.

I had also originally planned to conduct my interviews face to face. Unfortunately an interview with the schools Injury Therapist could not go ahead due to unforeseen circumstances. Due to my own busy schedule and also that of the working professional, I conducting my interview via email and telephone. Although I was worried about not meeting the interviewee/participant in person, the answers provided were very honest and detailed. I felt as though the data collected was unhinged by my own interpretation or bias, in a sense the words came direct from the source.

The experience gained from conducting Interviews and Questionnaires has been invaluable. I feel confident in interacting and collaborating with other professionals, in charge of my own learning and development and have the knowledge of how to carry out a work-based inquiry. The process has taught me how important it is to take action and the importance of contributing to research. This kind of learning is critical within my place of work as the research implicates my professional practice.

Reflective writing - Journal entry

Whilst researching injury support systems, I found that many sportsman, dancers, actors and singers use reflective writing as a kind of therapy. This made me think about how I have used my own personal journal throughout BAPP.

My journal has not been shared with others on my blog but instead has been a personal learning resource throughout the course. I decided to reflect upon my journal experience and looking back to Module 1, I can see my journal began more factual and after moving on towards Module 2 and 3, my entries became more descriptive. How I felt about what had happened, what thoughts were provoked from my experience that day or week.

I feel this progression is reflected in my work and learning. When I first started blogging, I shared blogs that were outlined in the course handbooks and used blogger solely to post my task as required. In Module 2, I can see that my blogs then begin present a sense of confidence and description. I began sharing posts not only required by the course but that explain my journey, how I have felt, what I had achieved and what interested me from my research. Moving on to Module 3, I enjoy blogging, commenting on peoples post and enjoy when people post comments on my own blog. I use my own blog and other peoples blogs to increase my knowledge, advance my learning and for inspiration in teaching and career opportunities. It is fulfilling to know my blogs and opinions are of use to others... knowledge should be shared!

Below is an entry from my journal February 2015-

"Today I spent 4 hours researching injury support systems and have found some really interesting information. It has bought back memories from my own training and injuries. I know how I felt and would like to help others who too are suffering with injury. Hopefully my inquiry can do this but I am also considering looking at a Dance Therapy course. As I typed in Dance Therapy into google, I discovered a girl I danced at sixth form with has recently graduated from London Met with a Bsc Dance and Sports Therapy so I have sent her a private message on Facebook to hear all about her experiences. I spoke to a close friend about my thoughts and feel really motivated to move forward into Dance Therapy. Apparently "I'll be good at it!"..... I really hope so!"

This journal entry marks a turning point in my career aspirations and how the work-based inquiry has had a part to play in that. I want to further my career so that I can continue to teach but also become a qualified dance therapist. When I feel unsure about certain situations or taking steps in my career I look back towards my reflective journal for guidance. Sometimes it can be motivating and my own words encourage me to keep going!

Linked In

I decided to join linked in after a member of my SIG commented about some interesting discussions she had read on linked in surrounding my topic of Dance Injury.

I had been sceptical to join as I do not like posting personal information online and to have an interesting and professional profile it is recommended that you complete places of study and employment. Once I set up a basic profile I could see that I was able to manage all of the information and this gave me confidence to join groups and begin my networking on the site.

In a similar way, at the start of Module 1 I was sceptical about using Blogger but now have great confidence in interacting with others through blogs and SIGS. I have seen the benefits that joining a professional network can have particularly for employment opportunities, project research, and general discussions with others working in the Dance/Performing Arts sector.

Below is a link to my page. I plan to build up my professional profile through increasing my involvement in the social network.

Linked in

Had it not been for the BAPP course, I never would have stepped out of my comfort zone and joined the realm of networking. I will continue to improve my practice and develop as a professional by taking these steps in the future. I have been surprised by the influence networking has already had to my practice. I feel I have more knowledge, learnt new teaching skills and also recognised how important it is to keep learning. The course has encouraged me to find my real interests and has influenced decisions for my future. I am currently looking into Dance Therapy courses for after graduation and this may not have come to light had I decided not to further my education.

Video from Dance UK

Sarah Blanc and Lucy Field talk to leading dance voices about the health and wellbeing issues that face the sector and how to deal with them.
Dancers health and wellbeing video