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.