Finally.. The campus session I missed.

Finally, i am catching up on the campus session I missed. Unfortunately i wasn't able to attend the first session due to work commitments and i have come to realize that realistically i may miss out on many more for the same reason. The great thing about this, is the ability to feel as though i was actually part of the session as i am able to read through the blogs of others, educating myself on subjects such as web 2.0 tools. I remember first reading through the handbook on my induction day and feeling a wave of panic as i flicked through it seeing modules such as Professional Communication Technologies, The reflective Practitioner and The Networked Professional, thinking how an earth am i going to pull this one off?! But i have come to realise that it's web based technologies that hold the key to getting through this Bapp course.

  Viewing other blogs, the first question that became apparent was, what web base technologies are frequently used? Being an individual who rarely used to use technology it was clear to see that web 2.0 tools are used so frequently within society today. Sites that i am aware of such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, You Tube and also those that i have little knowledge of such as Spotlight, IMDS, and Equity mentioned by others are all used day in day out by professionals such as ourselves. I am often emailing employers as well as friends about classes, performances and things in general unaware that i was using a web based technology and how easy they are to use.

Other points discussed, were the pros and cons of web 2.0 tools. How great they can be used for enhancing your reputation as a practitioner but also how they can make you vulnerable to others. As practitioners, web 2.0 tools are great for casting directors/choreographers/ employers to see you and what you can do. I have read that many people have even used forms such as You Tube to audition when on the other side of the world, so we see it really does have amazing advantages. I found certain perspectives of how it can be used really interesting. Firstly, ROSS DUNNING mentioned that web 2.0 tools 'encourages and allows us to break barriers and engage others we may not have engaged with before.' This is something that i could connect with. Since i have started blogging for the Bapp course i have received some positive comments and views on my blogs from people i probably would never had a chance to communicate with otherwise, People who share the same interests as me. Also MARK ILLES, grabbed my attention by stating that 'web 2.0 tools are never finished and always evolving.' Unlike web1.0 tools which are there for a creator to just place information and educate unable to receive feedback, web 2.0 tools allow for others to comment, give feedback, instant conversations and most importantly, share ideas and knowledge constantly. All positive aspects of web based technologies.

Think about sites such as Facebook and Twitter where the door is open for negativity in the form of comments, wall posts and tweets. These sites can make you vulnerable to other users, all it takes is a negative or crude comment on a picture or status and potential employers could be put off. These are the sites that shape our 'online personalities' and if not used carefully could have a very negative impact on you as a practitioner.

So do Web Based Technologies enhance Professional Practice? Joanna Adeyinka-Burford came to the conclusion that there was no right or wrong answer and in some ways i agree. I do think it can enhance your Professional Practice greatly and there are so many channels in order for everyone to find a way to use them to their advantage. We also need to remember that technology is still evolving so in future years there may be so many more secure ways to use these tools. But there are still cons and it's these that we need to be weary of in order not to fall into the negative traps of web 2.0 tools.

On a lighter note, i will defiantly continue to explore web based technologies as even from reading other blogs, i am aware that there are so many other ways of communicating and enhancing myself as a Dance Practitioner.

About me

My name is Alicia Andrew and I am 24 years old. I have recently completed a Foundation Degree in Dance at London Metropolitan University which focused on Ballet, Contemporary and Afro-Caribbean dance techniques. I hope to obtain my full honours degree in Professional Practice at Middlesex University. I am hoping to use this work based learning course In order to establish myself as a professional and experienced dance practitioner as well as build on projects that I feel will benefit the dance industry and myself as a practitioner. I would like to create a project that will bring a new approach to the traditional form of a dance school within a community. I would love for students/young dancers to be able to acknowledge their own capabilities and allow them to grow as dancers and creative artists at the same time. I also want to highlight Afro-Caribbean dance techniques within mainstream dance as I feel it is a dance form that has space to grow here in the UK. I still wish to continue teaching in various schools, community centres and Programmes whilst on the course and hope that I can continue to establish myself as a capable choreographer through work such as EPK’S, Promo Videos which I have recently started to be involved in. I am currently working for the national organisation ADAD to gain further experience and awareness of other aspects of the dance industry.

I have finally uploaded my Professional CV and i don't think i did to badly either. I would say i'm having an issue with the bullet points. If i had known they would be outside of the writing format I wouldn't of used them at all. The good thing about the use of technology such as this, is that nothing is set in stone and is therefore easy to edit, delete, add-to, and remove at will.
I have also had a re-think about my "about me" profile. Taking into consideration that many people reading this blog will not have a clue who i am or what i'm about, i don't think it says enough. I don't think I've portrayed exactly what i want to do with my newly found knowledge (foundation degree in Dance) or what i want to achieve, what my life goals really are. I've decided to upload a mini personal statement that i think gives you a better insight into..me.

Professional CV

Alicia Andrew

aliciaandrew1@hotmail.com

aandrew155@gmail.com

                                                                                                                     

Professional objective

I am an experienced dancer seeking work within the community, schools and a wide range of projects that would benefit from my teaching skills and abilities. I am eager to work with all those who choose to dance no matter what their experience and combine techniques in Street, Hip-hop, Contemporary, Ballet and African-Caribbean. I will apply my leadership and communication skills to the advantage of any organisation I am working for.

Professional Experience

April 2010-Present: Freelance dance facilitator for Irie! Dance Theatre

·         Deliver dance workshops to children of all ages and backgrounds

·         Raise awareness to African-Caribbean dance techniques

·         Choreograph, fusing different dance forms such as Street and contemporary

·         Prepare dancers for community shows and performances

August 2010-present: Dance Tutor CPFA (Crystal Palace Football Association)

August 2010-Choreographer Elysium III EPK/ Promo video

August-September 2010: Facilitated and delivered a workshop for Centre point Charity Organisation, held at Pineapple Studios.

July 2010-Present: ADAD (The Association of Dance of the African Diaspora)

·         Administrative Intern

May 2010-present: Dance Coach, Lewisham Community Schools

January 2010-July 2010: Dance Tutor for J’s Dance Factory

Responsibilities:

·         Teach Street Dance to children aged 6-16+

·         Prepare students for IDTA exams, shows, public events and auditions

·         Choreograph Street classes for competitions

·         Help maintain the high standards of J’s Dance Factory

April 2006-July 2008: Dance Facilitator/Tutor for Artefacts Edutainment

Responsibilities:

·         Created session plans for classes and workshops

·         Actively taught children ranging from 5-16

·         Performed risk assessments before proceeding with workshops

·         Worked towards performances

·         Aimed to build confidence, which is the key to expression.

Educational Background

September 2008-June 2010 FDA Dance London Metropolitan University

Grades TBA

September 1998-July2004 Prendergast school/Sixth Form

9 A-C Grade GCSE’S including English and Maths

3 A Levels: Music, Performing Arts and History

I have just completed a Foundation Degree in dance at London Metropolitan University. I am now intending to go on to complete my third and final year at Middlesex University in order to obtain a BA (Hons) Professional Practice. (BAPP)

 I am an energetic, creative and flexible individual. Throughout my training I have gained a deep knowledge of Ballet, Contemporary, African-Caribbean and Street dance, both technique and theory, I also have excellent musicality. I pride myself on being enthusiastic towards all tasks and requirements given to me and having an open mind.

Training

·         Irie! Dance Theatre/London Metropolitan University

·         Scott-Wiseman School Of Dance

·         Crysis Dance Troupe

·         Mexalon Dance Troupe

·         D&B Theatre School

·         Glenlyn Stage School

Teaching

What a day! I taught two amazing classes today, the kind of class that you don't want to end because the energy is still high and when it does, you want to do it all over again. Is it normal to feel this passion when teaching? I often wonder because I think so many people don't, especially those who are where I aspire to be, those who have already set up their schools or own businesses that focus on educating people about dance. It can be a lucrative business but why kill the passion? MONEY. We all have to make a living but I've worked for to many people who no longer see dance as a passion and a way of teaching others (mainly children) how to express themselves, but a way of making quick money. Can you see the problem? Time will tell if I end up killing my passion for the love of money, i'm seriously hoping not.
Now for my real issue..the classes I taught today were great but I stuck with the "norm."I taught a genre that the kids knew, Street. If I'm going to introduce a African-Caribbean aspect to my classes, I need a figure out a way to make it appealing. How do I make something appealing when all that's known is what's seen in the videos? Even though for many of the children I teach, it's their culture. I'm looking forward to exploring my options.

Creation of the Flickr!

 Whilst trying to get my head around the "technical stuff," I thought id upload some of my recent photos to Flickr. Reading other blogs I came to realize that this is a useful tool and would be a good way of letting people see some of my professional shots recently taken for the dance organisation ADAD. Please feel free to leave comments as I intend to get more professional shots taken and would be grateful for feedback. Looking at various profiles, I'm thinking I'm going to need some Professional head shots taken in the very near future.
 When setting up my account, although it was very much a stress free process, I thought it was a bit strange that you had to create a Yahoo account first and as a result I  now have one to many email addresses.
Check them out:http://www.flickr.com/people/aliciaa3dance/

Blogging!

So here I am,with my first blog entry, actually quite funny when I think about it as I see myself as quite a computer illiterate person. Easy to set up, but what about the rest? So many questions,am I doing it right? How do I put this there and why does everyone else's look so much better?
But I wont dwell on it, I think I will use my lack of knowledge as an advantage. Dig into the depths of Blogspot to discover just what I can do. Wish me luck x