Becky's BA Professional Practice Blog

Hello! I have just finished the first draft of my research report and am feeling a little nervous as the submission date seems to be quite close now! I have been feeling a little lost about how to begin improving my essay further as I still feel I have a long way to go. I decided to re-read the Module Three handbook to remind myself of the aims and learning objectives and this has certainly given me some things to revisit and work on. I am looking forward to receiving some feedback in the next few weeks. I was wondering how others are getting on with their inquiry? Please feel free to leave comments below, I'd love to hear. Becky x

Hello, Just wanted to check in on my blog. I have recently been exploring the many different ways I might create my Artefact. After a considering the different ways to do this and quick Skype discussion with my tutor, I have decided to use choreography as a way of presenting my Artefact. As a dancer, using choreography will really give me an opportunity to express the journey of my inquiry. Has anyone else been thinking of creative ways to make their Artefact? Please feel free to comment below! Becky x

Hello! Recently, I noticed that my inquiry research was taking me in a different direction. At first I felt uneasy by this and as though I was going off on a tangent but then realised that maybe this was the destination that I was supposed to reach all along. When embarking on the inquiry process my title read 'How does nutrition impact and affect injury?'. From gathering my research and talking with my tutor, I was reminded that this process is all part of a journey and that maybe I would like to develop this question further. So I have taken the bold decision to not be afraid of developing my title which is now 'Are dancers informed about nutrition and its impact on injury?'. I haven't had to alter much at all about my inquiry research and plan but I  feel like this is the question I was always looking for. I believe this will more positively impact my practice as a dancer and teacher along with my interest in education. I hope this may help someone who is deve...

Hello! I wanted to write a little bit about the Module 3 Focus Skype Discussion for those that were unable to attend. One concept that we discussed was Triangulation. This is something that has been a bit of a grey area for me until now. From discussing Triangulation and unpicking the definition I feel I have a better understanding and really want to apply it to my inquiry data collection and analysis process. After looking up definitions of triangulation I have summarised it to this: 'Application and combination of several research methods in the study of an inquiry'. Adesola also discussed a great analogy which really helped me to understand even further... If you were to push a square, it will change shape. However, triangles are strong structures. Using three sides (e.g. using three research methods rather than one) then this provides strength. Rather than just using a 1:1 comparison, we can see three sides and analyse in greater depth. I really hope this helps ...

Hello! I am just writing a quick post for anyone that was unable to attended last nights Skype discussion. Something that I really took away from the call is how to deal with the feeling of being a bit lost when it comes to starting a new Module. There were a few of us on the call who all agreed that after a bit of time off we were finding it slightly hard to get back on our feet. We came up with some techniques to try and combat this which included refreshing yourself by reading over your Module Two work (including the MORE form) and not being afraid that you feel a bit lost. It's better to keep ploughing through, asking yourself deeper questions and jotting down everything as you go along. Then hopefully, everything should click into place! Please feel free to comment below! Becky x

Just a really quick post! I was finding it really difficult to know where to begin when it came to carrying out my inquiry. I felt I had planned so much and still felt slightly lost so I decided to get looking into what is already out there on my inquiry topic to refresh my memory. Today I began my literature review for my module three research report essay. I am currently exploring the different perspectives on my inquiry title which is: "How can a dancers nutrition impact and effect injury?". I have been looking into two well known dance nutrition authors Zerlina Mastin and Emily Harrison as well as researching some of the articles on The International Association of Dance Medicine and Science website. I was wondering how other module three students are getting on with their work and how they have made a start on their inquiry? Feel free to comment below. Becky x

Hi Everyone! I hope the first week back is going well for you all. Today I read through the Module 3 handbook again, made notes and annotated it. I found this really useful and now have some conscice notes on what to remeber during the stages of my inquiry. Something that I have found a bit daunting is the data collection and analysis side of things so wanted to share some really useful notes and tips that I discovered with you all. Data Collection: The idea is not to find an 'answer' but to find more questions and dig deeper. How does literature, art, books, resources offer something? Challange your way of thinking! Consider the many different views and perspectives. How do these views differ from yours and others? 'Clews' -This is the concept of interweaving ideas. Not just taking the straight road route from A to B but stopping along the way and exploring all of the ideas. -Weave through different ideas and perspectives.  'Connectivity' -The ...

Hello! I hope you all had a lovely summer. I can't believe I am going into my final Module in BAPP but I am ready to get stuck into my inquiry research this week. It was really useful to receive my feedback from Helen about how I can be improving my work going forward. I wanted to share my main aim this term: Trying to work on adding more depth and discussion in my literature reviews by relating quotes and showing their relevance to map my field of inquiry. Best Wishes, Becky

Hello! I thought i'd share some of the things discussed in todays 12pm Skype call for those that couldn't make it. The Skype call focus was thinking of methods of data collection other than the use of interviews. This is something that has really helped me as my plan was to focus on interviewing other dancers. I am now going to look into using information that is already known and utilise the wheel that is already out there rather than trying to recreate it. I am planning to interview some dance nutritionists and also using literatures on my inquiry topic as a method of data collection. We also discussed the differences between qualitative and quantitive data and touched on the ethics behind interviewing including leading questions and wasting time by asking questions you already know the answers to! Becky x

Hello! I thought I'd share an update on where I am at with Module 2. My chosen inquiry title is 'How nutrition impacts a dancer's performance'. I understand that this title is quite broad for now and that has been worrying me over the past few weeks. I spoke to my tutor about this and she has reminded me that we are going through a journey and that you will discover and find out more along the way which may lead your title to change slightly, maybe making it more specific. For now I am working on my literature review and opening of my essay. I'd be interested to hear where everyone else is at with their work and how their ideas are coming along? Becky x

Hello! On Friday I attended the 5pm Module 2 based Skype call with Adesola and thought I would share a key point, which I have really benefited from, for anyone that was unable to attend. Recently I have been brainstorming some ideas for my inquiry but have not managed to find something that I am really happy with. Adesola shared a great tip with us...to read through our work from Module 1 (especially the diagram) to find an area within it that you would like to research further and gain a better understanding on. This exercise has really helped me to get closer to my inquiry title and would highly recommend others doing this if they are feeling a little stuck too. Soon I hope to share more about my inquiry title. Becky

Hello! On receiving my module one feedback, I decided to set myself some targets for this term and thought I would share this to try and start a conversation about others targets and ideas for the next module. My targets include: -Aiming to do more blog posts about my thoughts and ideas -Participating more on Skype calls to aid my learning and exploration of the module -Using my time for effectively and bettering my time management skills -Thinking outside the box I learnt so much from last term. I discovered new ways of learning and more about myself. I now feel ready to embark upon the module 2 journey and am exciting to see what new things I discover about myself. Becky

I am currently focusing on the essay task and believe that the Areas of Learning play an important part in this. I have written some concise notes summarising the module handbook information on the AOL's in order to help myself and others remember the key aspects whilst delving more into their AOL'S and deciding what to write about! AREAS OF LEARNING -THE KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE FROM PAST EXPERIENCES. The meaning of a 'Transdisciplinary Practice': -e.g. being a dancer and a teacher (having more than one element to your practice) KEY QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER ABOUT YOUR AOL: -What is my knowledge pool? -What have I learnt through experiences? -How has this been transferrable? -How have I applied these principles to new situations? HOW TO BEGIN? -Start by making a list of things you have learnt! What was the situation that I learnt this in? How has it changed what I do now? How have I transferred the learning to other areas/situations? ......

Hello! I thought I would write a blog post today now that I have greater understanding of the module handbook and more thoughts flowing about the two pieces of work we are due to submit in December. Recently I have been really trying to home in and explore what I would consider my practice to be. Reading other's blogs have been incredibly useful to me. I set myself an exercise where I drew a spider map diagram of all the things I would consider to be a part of my practice and really recommend this to others in the community! Here is mine:

UniHub -An online resource used to find lots of information about modules, deadlines, forms and advice to help aid learning. Things that can found on UniHub: Academic Calendar  -Includes key dates for Skype sessions and deadlines Programme Handbook -Information on the learning outcomes -Information if there needs to be an interruption of studies etc. Module Handbooks -Information about each module (one, two and three) -Assessment tasks -Dates and deadlines -Information about reading resources Forms and templates -Key forms used throughout the course eg. feedback response forms Office Hours -You can see the office hours of tutors/supervisors -Can ask questions or arrange a set time for a Skype call