Research in professional practice is about the 'discipline' or 'subject' content as well as the applied way that it is put into practice. Most of us in the arts were taught to concentrate on the technical craft we were learning, but actually doing this technical craft or skill is only part of what a professional does. Inquiry into professional practice needs to take both of these into account.
However - this blog while concentrating on the practice, also seem to describe well some of the technical processes and experiences of the job and is focused on communicating those ideas to an audience and/or prospective clients? What do you think?
Hi Paula, I agree that as an artist our main focus is on the development of practical skills. Perhaps this is due to the pressure we face for perfection of our final product or performance, as this is how we ourselves have been trained? In other professions it may be more desirable to develop work through formative assessment and review? I currently plan my lessons with the emphasis on developing my students dance technique and performance skills. However through research and exploration of different medias, such as ICT (Powerpoint and You tube) and Advertising (Television and Radio), a greater understanding can be gained to enable both teacher and student to appreciate the depth of knowledge required for success. I will experiment using these additional tools, to strive to better communicate the value of dance to my students. I am certain that these technologies will be good visual aids to further engage my visual (spatial) learners who prefer images and pictures (as well as my kinesthetic learners who learn through practical rehearsal). Do you think all of my students will enjoy observing dance clips? Will this inspire them to further explore their own creativity?
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it is worth thinking about any methods that provides the means for people of all ages to learn in a more comprehensive and lifelong way. I did a campus session that introduced VAK (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) a few years ago and the response was very positive because people immediately identified with the idea that using the full measure of senses in the arts. Actually physically doing something, not just observing a demonstration, is primary to the learning experience, but visual aides might also get students thinking about the performance and emotional attributes of learning that accompany technical abilities (dance, drawing, singing) and enable understanding. When I started teaching - I always used visual aides but it took me a long time to come into my own and introduce my own points of view on the subject areas using these aids. While covering aspects that need to be examined, using visual aids, like effective writing, make the learning process more exciting. Also - the artefacts that some of our final modules BAPP students have done have really put this into practice. So, yes, I am a believer.
ReplyDeleteI can't help following up questions in discussion with a quick google search - just to get my mind going. I found these sites with the key words on Google 'using technology in dance education'
http://www.dance-interactive.com/vocalise%20demo.swf
http://www.uxdomain.com/DanceDrawResearch.pdf
Hi Paula, thank you for this information! Very interesting to read about the graphic design process of this company. Very clear and well structured. Bw
ReplyDeleteDear Paula,
ReplyDeleteYou are right, the technical side of our profession is only part of what we must do in order to 'be' an artist. Whether a dancer, singer, actor or artist. Our surrounding lives are constantly effected by what we 'do.' For example, I watch performances, for not only inspiration and pleasure, but to learn more about dance and see different choreographic skill/ lighting/ costumes. This doesn't require me to physically move, but at the same time it will nourish my physical dancing and artisry later, often sub-consciously. Reading, listening to music and understanding literarure are all also beneficial to an artist.
A professional also has basic responsibilities to his or her work, such as punctuality, discipline and correct conduct and of course, organisation.
Hi Alicia, it is inspiring to hear that other dance professionals such as yourself have found value in observing professional dance works, through using ICT and other medias. I recently read an article about using video feedback for student self evaluation. I plan to incorporate this into my lesson plans for assessment. Have you tried this in your class?
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