Good to chat with those of you who were part of the Skype conversation on Friday and hello to everybody else.
So, we've started the course, I'm definitely daunted and excited at the same time. I think this will be a very different type of learning experience to those I've had in the past. Reflective learning is something I've been introducing my students to in the last year but something that I've only had a tacit awareness of myself in my practice.
Reading Honey and Mumford's summary of learning styles in the handbook and thinking about this activity of starting a blog, something I've never done before, I think I'm a Reflector, taking my time to research how it could be done, maybe looking at other examples but without coming up with any sort of strategy, writing a bit and then coming back to it later. I'd love to know what someone else thinks my learning preference might be.
I've learnt that group Skype conversations can be a bit tricky (did anyone else feel the same?) because you can't read facial expressions or always identify who is talking. It difficult to know when people might want to contribute or just listen so gets a bit stilted. Maybe there's some kind of system we could put in place to make it easier to manage? Someone mentioned Google hangouts as a similar kind of thing for group online conversations but I haven't tried it, has anyone?
I wasn't sure if we are all going to be posting a biography or introduction to ourselves on our blogs but here's a bit of background about me and my work. I would love to hear about yours.
I wasn't always sure I wanted to dance, I didn't start any serious training until I was 18 but always did lots of ballet, gymnastics and contemporary dance as I grew up. I was a physical child and enjoyed sports and outdoor adventure as much as dance and music. I still do.
Back in the mists of time I was going to study French at University for my first degree but had a change of heart, motivated by jealousy when some of my friends were auditioning for conservatoires, and realised that was what I really wanted to do. I was lucky in that my parents let me choose for myself but I grew up in a family who loved the arts so I guess they were happy I chose dance in the end.
So I studied for four years at Laban, graduating in 1999, and since then have worked in numerous jobs, teaching, performing and in offices.
My performing work included dancing with inclusive companies, with some fantastic choreographers, outdoor pieces, site specific work and aerial dance. My teaching has ranged from primary schools, professional classes, adult community classes and lots of work with young people in many settings.
Since 2006 I've been working with a close friend and long time colleague to create our own live and video dance. This is on a project basis and happens when we are awarded funding and when our work loads allow, or when we feel inspired! Our projects have always involved an educational aspect and we enjoy inviting different regional artists to collaborate.
I qualified as a Stott Pilates instructor a few years ago and see it as an ongoing training. I love applying Pilates to dance training but I also teach adults with no movement background and often with chronic joint issues.
I live in the North East, near Stockton on Tees, am 37 and currently am an associate lecturer at Teesside University on the BA(hons) Dance degree. There I teach Dance Facilitation, Contemporary technique, mainly Limon, Pilates, Contextual Studies, Choreography and am Third Year Tutor. I've been in the post for a year and work with some fantastic colleagues. I enjoy being part of a team in contrast to the isolation I often felt as a freelancer, and am on a very steep learning curve!
Sailing and travelling are my other big passions and I need to work out how to combine them with my work!
Starting this course feels long overdue and I hope it will be a broadening, deepening, exploring and connecting learning experience.
Speak soon I hope
ps. Anyone know the MAPP DTP group name on Linked In? I can't seem to find it.
