Skype discussion group today

The second skype open discussion group shared thoughts around the inquiry process; looking for literature, looking beyond what sources agree or oppose your own thoughts, gathering data - the human element to research when it comes to interviews... with lots of input and sharing of resources from those in module three. We talked about defining an area for inquiry (module two), addressing your interests within your practice, letting things be, recognising the breadth of an area before focusing on one aspect in more detail, and about journal writing - why, what for, how??? With those in modules two and three able to share (upon reflection) what was useful about this process you're encouraged to engage with in module one.

Overall their were lots of connections being made; between the learning through the modules, connecting the data with the literature with you, your practice, the world around yo, the role, place and value of the arts in education; with the possibility of looking at the learning through art more than the learning of the subject as such... lots of rich thoughts and further perspectives to consider...

Others in this conversation will blog their thoughts too;

Matt, Jae, Laura, Lauren, Alicia, Emma, Rachel, Jen, please add your blog addresses in the comments here for others to find you and comment!



Here's the Ken Robinson TED Talk that came up in today's discussion for those not familiar with it..

Campus Session

Just to alert you to there being no skype session at 5pm (UK time) today as scehduled on your calendar. This was to be a session focused on the RPL claim process, but we are currently awaiting revised paperwork for this process to be approved, so holding the skype session off for now.

We do have our Campus Session on this Friday March 9th, 12.00-15.00 at our Hendon campus (NW4) if you are in or able to make it to London at all it would be great to have you there is person.

We'll be in room BG10 for this, just go to the main reception desk and ask!

Revealing experiences not answering questions...

The 12.30 skype discussion with Module Three students on Tuesday raised areas around literature and data collection. There seemed to be a lot of weight given to the pragmatics of asking questions and presenting the answers through your inquiry.

I suggested in the discussion that perhaps it would be useful here to press pause and take a look at the role of the literature, the role of the data, the purpose of interviews before thinking about how to present the answers.

Gathering data (through engaging with literature, conducting surveys, interviewing others) should be about extending your learning beyond your onw immediate experience. Revealing the experiences of others in order to offer different perspectives to consider alongside your own/that of your professional environment.

This TED talk by David Isay came to mind, so sharing for you all...worth taking a look at ...

Talking together, learning from each other

One Saturday we had our Narrating the Somatic Symposium at Middlesex University. It was a great day of people coming together to share their practice through ways they felt appropriate.  We had Elders from the dance community, young people, artists, post graduate students, academics, performers and we enjoyed learning together about each others approaches to life through movement, talks, film, reports on projects and news of different festivals taking place.

Coming together, talking with others we believe is really valuable in learning. It is important on the BAPP programme that you make the most of being part of a community of learners, all coming from different perspectives, different areas of practice but with a common ground of studying together on this programme here and now. We offer the discussion groups via skype so that you have the opportunity to come together and have conversations with each other about what you're doing. It is really important that you make every effort to be a part of these conversations, to learn from and with others on your programme.

Your advisors are there to support you on your BAPP journey of course, but a one-to-one conversation with us cannot replace the interaction and more open conversation of the discussion groups. Please do make use of these, and join the conversations of your learning.

The dates of all these skype discussions are published at the start of the year in your Academic Calendar, so you know ahead of time when they are, to be able to plan your schedule accordingly. Adesola will then post on her blog the day of the Skypes asking you to sign up by commenting, which conversation you would like to join (12.30 or 5pm (UK time).

Please do check the calendar if you're unsure of dates and be sure to comment on Adesola's blog so we know you want to be called.  There are two skypes today!!

Look forward to more conversations together...

Open Discussion

Tuesdays 1230 Open Skype Discussion was great to start the conversations of the term between those in modules one, two and three. We talked about the role of literature in our learning, when to look more broadly (mapping the field of our interests- creating a guest list for a party themed by our interests) and when to deepen the focus (identifying the VIPs of the party) We tried to move away from the feeling of needing to look to the literatre, to what others have said, in order to affirm our own thoughts (finding books that 'agree' with our views), and equally, the notion not only of looking for either/or comparisions in the literature (I found some books that agree with my thoughts and some that contradict so I can compare them), but to using the literature to develop a discussion around your subject area with many layers, different perspectives for you to be able to paint a picture rich in many colours.

Those in module one used the discussion to unpack what they were understanding in the readers about Web 2.0 and its relationship to their developing professional practice. As those in other modules shared their experiences and interpretations of this, Matt offered a great example describing Web 1.0 as information being given (suggesting a one-way process of passive learning) and Web 2.0 as information being given in order for you to interact with it (a transaction of learning). This opened discussions of communication, learning by interaction with others, being a part of a community (BAPP) and using our blogs to sound out ideas.

Those in this discussion will blogs further thoughts for you all... do comment with your blog post to help direct everyone to your thoughts so they can comment!

Matt S
Syanne
Jess S
Jess D
Naomi E
Jen S
Rachel 
Jae
Laura S
Eleanor B

A New Term Begins...

Welcome to the start of the new term on BAPP!!

We had some great conversations via the Skype sessions on Friday and Saturday and good to meet those of you new to the programme this term.

As we start the term do take time to clear space (physical space, space-time, clutter...) to allow your studies to be a part of your work/life schedule and take time to figure out or re-balance the rhythms of all the 'things' you do. The beauty of BAPP is that it is about YOUR professional practice, so learning to feel the study as integral to the development of your practice is really important so that it is valuable and relevant to you rather than a 'thing' to have to 'fit in'.

Clear some space at home, find a coffee shop with a space you can work in (and great coffee of course!), listen to your body - when do you work well; early morning...late into the night?? Introduce yourselves and share your 'getting started/getting back into study' tips through your blogs.

Make a note of the skype sessions and campus sessions if you're able to join us in London and check out our symposium coming up later this month as a great place to network, listen, do, think, talk, move with other artists ...


https://mailchi.mp/b959eb62f05e/narrating-the-somatic-symposium-workshops-performance-and-papers-2658705?e=896d46dbef

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Saturday February 24th  Key Note Speakers: Rosemary Lee and Richard Walsh Key Note Movement Workshop: Jackie Guy Workshops, performance, film and discussion with... Namron, Sandra Golding, Pawlet Brooks, Louise Kateraga, Mary Grigg, Chikukwango Cuxima-Zwa, Akosua Boakye, Dominique Rivoal, Jacqueline McCormick, Tom Hobden, Anton Califano, Adesola Akinleye, Helen Kindred, Stephanie Scheubeck, Eline Kieft, Nina Atkinson & Vivian Barbosa. and ISTD Open Day also the launch celebration of the new book edited Narratives in Black British Dance: embodied practices. Where: Middlesex University, London Hendon, Grove Theatre When: 9:00 for 9:30 start to 6pm Feb 24th 2018 Tickets for the day: £5 (students), £10 (individual), £20 (institution) Book on-line here This Symposium follows on from August 2016 event Watch video  Questions: a.akinleye@mdx.ac.uk & h.kindred@mdx.ac.uk

FAQs

Hi and all good wishes as we start off the new year... Submission of work as you know is Jan 5th, with the new term commencing on Feb 5th.

A big thank-you to Hopal for all her support in my absence last term, and to let you know I am back on email/skype as your advisor again this term, if I could please ask you to re-direct your queries to me rather than emailing Hopal now.

With last minute queries flooding in as you're all in the final stages of preparing your work from assessment now on Jan 5th, I thought a few FAQs might be useful to answer here for all...

1. Can I send you my final draft to read through and let me know it's ok before I submit it in 2 days time? We cannot read and feedback on drafts of work at this late stage, if you have a specific question about something please do email your advisor and otherwise ask and trust yourself if your work is ok to submit.
2. If the word count says 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 6,000 words can I go over that? The university has a policy of allowing 10% over/under any word count set for an assignment. So if the word count for your paper is 2,000 words, it is fine to submit 2,200 words, but submitting 4,000 words if missing the mark and not adhering to the criteria of the assignment.
3. How do I submit my professional artefact on turnitin? You don't! You present your artefact at your oral presentation, sharing it with us then, in the same way, you do not submit your oral presentation as a document on turnitin, you share it with us verbally on the day of your presentation.
4. Do I send my final submission of work via email to my advisor?  Yes please to BOTH Adesola and Helen. 

Breathe...leave...read through (aloud) and final edit before submitting now...