It has been an interesting week and on a late Friday night reflection, I wanted to share with you my thoughts around trust, contribution, and value.
On trust...
I had a discussion a couple of weeks ago with some undergraduate dancers, stemming from their suggestion that 'students trust their teacher as given, but students have to earn their teacher's trust'. So alongside a broader discussion of these two (assumed separate) roles, we talked about the notion of trust. My belief being that this is something pretty pivotal to 'good' teaching practice and that it is something to be mutually earned by all in the transaction of sharing and learning. It was really interesting to hear from others of their perception of roles and of the value and place of trust stemming from their own unique experiences of learning. Some, through more traditional learning environments felt this 'automatic trust' was something naturally embedded with the student/teacher relationship, and had felt that it was within their (pre)defined role as student to gain the trust of the teacher. They had never considered that trust within this context had the potential to be fluid on all parts. Conversations developed through other sessions over the past couple of weeks, with the same, plus other students and encompassed debate on language, perception, autonomy, finding your voice, sharing, contributing, being honest, putting your ideas out there and being prepared to listen, respecting and valuing difference and diversity. (I said it had been an interesting week!)
The terms, and ensuing notions of 'student' and 'teacher' really struck more of a chord with me as the week progressed and I continued to review my own feelings on, and observe these relationships in different contexts. This evening, reading some of your blogs, your thoughts on these roles, your experiences (directly and indirectly) and in particular an interesting thread from Rose, Mary and Maria, on holding back from getting thoughts out there at times, through feeling the need to really digest and clarify what it is you want to say first made me want to share in this blog.
Really pleased that you put this up Rose, however 'late night, unconsidered' it may have felt to do so. I think this is a significant step in letting thoughts exist in a wider space than your self, and in doing so inviting others views and comments; in having opinions and not being afraid to voice them openly; in accepting a certain vulnerability that we all (as humans) have I believe, and the possibility of stumbling, maybe even falling at times, actually being a great thing - a great way of learning.
A couple of references are coming to mind to me now as I write this, so I'll through them in for you to build your own thoughts on too, Emilyn Claid, 2014 On Falling About (a research report for/from/with Roehampton University) and A TED talk by Brene Brown on The Power of Vulnerability. Both examples talk about our capacity as humans to interact to learn, to fall to learn, to accept vulnerability rather than holding back in case..., to learn.
We all have our own stories to share, our own unique experiences, and have the potential to share these through different means. It is through sharing and interacting, acceptance and value of both our self and others, that learning takes place for all. Please don't hold back from rambling your way through your thoughts on your blogs, these are the perfect place for sharing and learning in the environment of the MA.
Keen to hear your thoughts...rambled or otherwise!
Helen
Friday, 31 October 2014
Monday, 20 October 2014
Sharing good practice...
This may be something those of you on Module Three would like to consider? The call is out for proposals to share your research, give it a go...
NDTA Annual Conference 2014
Pedagogy, Practice and Partnership: the future for dance education
Saturday 22 November 2014 / Birmingham Ormiston Academy
CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS
Making a difference to dance education through research
This year’s NDTA conference will focus on delivering high quality dance practice in and beyond the curriculum. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, workshops and seminars the day offers a stimulating professional development opportunity to support and inspire dance teachers working at all levels.
In collaboration with DanceHE, Pedagogy, Practice and Partnership will again feature research by and for dance teachers. Focusing upon or related to children and young people's dance education we invite proposals for research led presentations that address (but are not limited to) the following areas:
· Approaching dance education pedagogy, including through partnership
· Dynamics of dance learning
· Dance education research methodologies
· Professional development for dance teachers
We hope the sessions will represent a mix of researchers at different points in their careers. So whether you are researching at M level, as part of a CPD initiative, a PhD, an early career researcher or experienced researcher we would like to hear from you.
Presentations will be 30 minutes within one of two research sessions followed by time for questions and debate. The two sessions will be facilitated by Dr Kerry Chappell and Professor Vida Midgelow.
Application process
Send an abstract of 400-500 words detailing the research you wish to share. This should include a short statement as to the relevance young people's dance education and the NDTA conference delegates.
Please also include the following details:
• Name /address /contact telephone number/email address
• A short biography of no longer than 100 words.
Proposals should be sent to:
Debbie Poulton NDTA Conference Manager: debbiepoulton5@btinternet.com
Extended Deadline for applications : Monday 27th October
Successful applicants will be informed by end of October.
Proposals will be assessed by the small team involved in co-ordinating the research sessions.
Monday, 13 October 2014
Hearing from others...
A series of guest speakers in dance at Middlesex University this term.
Take a look at who's coming, there may well be some of particular interest to your research projects. You are most welcome to attend any/all you can make, do let me know if you intend to come, it would be great to see some of you there!
Dance at Middlesex
2014/15, term 1
presents
Tuesday 14th October 2014
Professor Sherril Dodds, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
FACIAL CHOREOGRAPHIES AND SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE
Tuesday 28th October
Robert Cohan, CBE, Founding Artistic Director of The Place
A CHOREOGRAPHIC IDEA – ITS BEGINNING AND POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT
1-2pm, Grove Dance Theatre (G190)
Tuesday 4th December
Prof Fátima Campos Daltro de Castro, Universidada Federal da Bahia
EDUCATION PRAXIS IN DANCE IMPROVISATION
1-2pm, Grove Dance Theatre (G190)
Wednesday 10th December: Inaugural Professorial Lecture
Professor Mark Franko, Temple University, USA / Middlesex University
EPILOGUE TO AN EPILOGUE: HISTORICIZING THE RE- IN RE-ENACTMENT
5.30-6.30pm, C211 Lecture Theatre
At a date to be confirmed, David King, International Theatrical Producer and Founder of Spirit Productions, will also visit to talk about how to be a successful show producer.
In February of Term 2, we look forward to welcoming Prof Janice Ross, Stanford University, who will talk on Leonid Yakobson's use of ballet as a cultural weapon in a totalitarian state. Date tbc.
All interested members of the staff, faculty and students are welcome to attend. Please contact Dr. Alexandra Kolb if you wish to bring small groups of students.email: A.Kolb@mdx.ac.uk.
Monday, 29 September 2014
Mountains...
MAPP DTP term starts here!
September, always feels like a good time to say 'Happy New Year' to everyone for me, as new terms begin in teaching, old students flying the nest about to embark on new adventures, new students starting out on a new journey...So, fair to say a fair amount of apprehension in the air this week?
I'm not going to overload you with more to think about or to do right now, but ask you to just take a moment with the following quote.
You don't have to see the whole staircase.
Just take the first step.
(Martin Luther King)
One step at a time, bite-size chunks...
Module Ones - taking a look at your CV, beginning to think about how you got here.
Module Twos - taking a look through your AOLs, beginning to hear what they're saying to you about your next step.
Module Threes - taking a look through your Research Proposal, beginning to ask those questions now through/of your research.
Blog addresses are all updated on UniHub (Learning Community folder) share your experiences, check-in with others...
Have a good first week : )
Thursday, 25 September 2014
Being a student...
Following another great Skype chat with many of you on Sunday, I said I would post something here about being a student, looking not so much at the academic side, but your new status as 'a student' and what they may afford you in terms of identity, money saving, access to events etc..
So, first point of call is getting your Middlesex University Student ID card:
Once enrolled you can send a passport sized photo of yourself to me via email <h.kindred@mdx.ac.uk> and by return I'll send you a form to complete and return and you'll be issued with your Middlesex University Student ID card.
If you're local and want to call into the Hendon campus let me know and I'll happily meet you for a coffee and we can get your ID card, form filled, photo taken while you're here, it takes about 10minutes.
This card proves your status as a student at Middlesex, allows you access to the library on campus and to check out any books you may want to borrow, but is not a recognised Student Card for obtaining wider discounts/student benefits.
For that, if you're UK based, you need to apply for membership with the National Union of Students (NUS).
The NUS website has a lot of information about life as a student, support, study, social life...and you can buy an NUS card online for £30, which will allow you to access a range of discounts on food, days out, clothes, cinema, exhibitions etc.. Follow the links to check it all out for yourselves and see if it is something you could use, there are lots of advertised discounts here, and you'll be surprised how many more you can get just by asking and showing your NUS card even when not advertised.
http://www.nus.org.uk
http://www.nus.org.uk/en/nus-extra/discounts/
For those of you not based in the UK, check out the NUS International Students page
http://www.nus.org.uk/en/who-we-are/how-we-work/international-students/
and look into the benefits for you of getting an International Student Identity Card;
http://www.isic.org/get-your-card/
Recognising your student status and allowing you access to a very similar range of discounts and benefits.
See how you get on with these and do blog yourselves about any other benefits you find to share with each other.
Helen
So, first point of call is getting your Middlesex University Student ID card:
Once enrolled you can send a passport sized photo of yourself to me via email <h.kindred@mdx.ac.uk> and by return I'll send you a form to complete and return and you'll be issued with your Middlesex University Student ID card.
If you're local and want to call into the Hendon campus let me know and I'll happily meet you for a coffee and we can get your ID card, form filled, photo taken while you're here, it takes about 10minutes.
This card proves your status as a student at Middlesex, allows you access to the library on campus and to check out any books you may want to borrow, but is not a recognised Student Card for obtaining wider discounts/student benefits.
For that, if you're UK based, you need to apply for membership with the National Union of Students (NUS).
The NUS website has a lot of information about life as a student, support, study, social life...and you can buy an NUS card online for £30, which will allow you to access a range of discounts on food, days out, clothes, cinema, exhibitions etc.. Follow the links to check it all out for yourselves and see if it is something you could use, there are lots of advertised discounts here, and you'll be surprised how many more you can get just by asking and showing your NUS card even when not advertised.
http://www.nus.org.uk
http://www.nus.org.uk/en/nus-extra/discounts/
For those of you not based in the UK, check out the NUS International Students page
http://www.nus.org.uk/en/who-we-are/how-we-work/international-students/
and look into the benefits for you of getting an International Student Identity Card;
http://www.isic.org/get-your-card/
Recognising your student status and allowing you access to a very similar range of discounts and benefits.
See how you get on with these and do blog yourselves about any other benefits you find to share with each other.
Helen
Sunday, 14 September 2014
Skype for you...
A warm welcome to all of you joining us on the MAPP DTP this term!
It was great to meet so many of you at our Skype Induction this evening, and I look forward to talking with you all again soon and working with you on your journeys through the MA. If you didn't make it onto skype this evening, don't worry, if you're reading this you've connected with us in some way and they'll be another opportunity to meet everyone on skype again next Sunday.
Given our growing community on the MAPP DTP, in number and location (which both Adesola and I are really excited about!) we thought it may be good to offer 2 skype sessions per month, one at a UK morning time, the other at UK evening time, to give you the choice to check-in at a time that suits you, and so that we are not too many voices in one epic call!
The skype sessions scheduled for this term are as follows; feel free to join when you can, put the dates in your diaries now and if you're online be a part of the call : )
All times are given as UK (London) time:
Sun Sept 21; 19.00 - all returning students to check-in and newly enrolled students welcome
Sun Oct 5; 19.00
Sun Oct 12; 11.00
Sun Nov 2; 19.00
Sun Nov 9; 11.00
Sun Dec 7; 19.00
Sun Dec 14; 11.00
We won't hold a group skype over the winter break (Dec 19-Jan 5) but appreciate that Jan 5 is your submission date at the end of this term, so we will blog the week of Dec 29, with a hand-in check list and you will be able to contact your advisor that week via email also.
So, plan now for all new students ahead of our first week on Sept 29;
It was great to meet so many of you at our Skype Induction this evening, and I look forward to talking with you all again soon and working with you on your journeys through the MA. If you didn't make it onto skype this evening, don't worry, if you're reading this you've connected with us in some way and they'll be another opportunity to meet everyone on skype again next Sunday.
Given our growing community on the MAPP DTP, in number and location (which both Adesola and I are really excited about!) we thought it may be good to offer 2 skype sessions per month, one at a UK morning time, the other at UK evening time, to give you the choice to check-in at a time that suits you, and so that we are not too many voices in one epic call!
The skype sessions scheduled for this term are as follows; feel free to join when you can, put the dates in your diaries now and if you're online be a part of the call : )
All times are given as UK (London) time:
Sun Sept 21; 19.00 - all returning students to check-in and newly enrolled students welcome
Sun Oct 5; 19.00
Sun Oct 12; 11.00
Sun Nov 2; 19.00
Sun Nov 9; 11.00
Sun Dec 7; 19.00
Sun Dec 14; 11.00
We won't hold a group skype over the winter break (Dec 19-Jan 5) but appreciate that Jan 5 is your submission date at the end of this term, so we will blog the week of Dec 29, with a hand-in check list and you will be able to contact your advisor that week via email also.
So, plan now for all new students ahead of our first week on Sept 29;
- Set up your blog and share something of yourself, your thoughts as you start on the MA (fears are good to share too!) Email me with your blog address so that I can add you to the list on our Learning Community on Unihub.
- Think about your work/home environment and maybe try out where/how you think you can work effectively, be it out at a coffee shop, at a quiet time of day for you at home, getting an early start on your day before work...whatever works for you.
- Read through the Module Handbook, note down any questions you may have.
- Check-in with your advisor to make sure you are in contact, have the correct emails, discuss how contact may work best for you, be it email, phone, Skype...
Have a great week!
Helen
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
New directions...
A short interim blog to begin to get our thoughts into MAPP mode again before the start of the new term. I hope everyone has had / is having some kind of break this summer and feeling refreshed for the next study period!
Adesola and I have been looking both at dates and scheduling for MAPP for the coming year and also at accessibility of resources and building our MAPP community online and we have now made a move over to integrating the MAPP DTP with the university's UniHub system. So, before the start of term take a few minutes and visit our new page.
http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk
login to MyUniHub
Click on MyLearning
Go to MA Professional Practice Dance Technique Pedagogy page
NB: please don't follow the guides allocated under the module codes (WBS4510, 4630, 4760) these are generic Work-Based Learning guides, which although helpful, are not geared to our subject specific learning on the MAPP DTP
On the MA Professional Practice Dance Technique Pedagogy page you will find folders headed simply;
Handbooks & Resources
Learning Community
University Resources
Submission - January
Submission - May
Take a look through, your new handbooks for the modules you'll be starting in Sept are there for you, along with reading lists and supporting materials. We've made a Learning Community folder to give you direct easy access to everyone's blogs, our Linked-In discussion group and offered a guide to the support you can benefit from on the MAPP DTP, how to use tutorials, when to submit drafts of work etc... University Resources offers you links to the library catalogue and advisers, finance and disability support services should you need to contact someone there, and the Submission folders are where you'll now submit your work at the end of the modules - we'll talk through all of this during our Skype chats beforehand so don't panic, it is very easy to upload/submit.
Take a look and please do comment on here and let us know of anything else you think would be useful to have on the page - it's for you!
Some dates to share for you all for now:
Welcome back Skype group call for all will be on SUNDAY SEPT 21 at 19.00 UK time
The shift to a later time on Sundays for our Skype calls is to accommodate all MAPPers and find a time that hopefully works wherever we all are in the world!
Start of term 1- Monday Sept 29, 2014
Holiday period runs Dec 19 - Jan 5 (we will have a pre hand-in skype on Jan 4)
Submission at the end of term 1 - Jan 5, 2015
Finalist presentations (Module Three) - Jan 19, 2015
Start of term 2 - Monday Feb 2, 2015
Holiday period runs March 27 - April 19 (limited access to advisors during this time)
Submission at the end of term 2 - May 11, 2015
Finalist presentations (Module Three) - May 29, 2015
So...dates in diaries, check in on MyUniHub to the MAPP DTP page, have a read through your next module handbook, of course feel free to blog anytime and enjoy the rest of the summer!
Helen
Adesola and I have been looking both at dates and scheduling for MAPP for the coming year and also at accessibility of resources and building our MAPP community online and we have now made a move over to integrating the MAPP DTP with the university's UniHub system. So, before the start of term take a few minutes and visit our new page.
http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk
login to MyUniHub
Click on MyLearning
Go to MA Professional Practice Dance Technique Pedagogy page
NB: please don't follow the guides allocated under the module codes (WBS4510, 4630, 4760) these are generic Work-Based Learning guides, which although helpful, are not geared to our subject specific learning on the MAPP DTP
On the MA Professional Practice Dance Technique Pedagogy page you will find folders headed simply;
Handbooks & Resources
Learning Community
University Resources
Submission - January
Submission - May
Take a look through, your new handbooks for the modules you'll be starting in Sept are there for you, along with reading lists and supporting materials. We've made a Learning Community folder to give you direct easy access to everyone's blogs, our Linked-In discussion group and offered a guide to the support you can benefit from on the MAPP DTP, how to use tutorials, when to submit drafts of work etc... University Resources offers you links to the library catalogue and advisers, finance and disability support services should you need to contact someone there, and the Submission folders are where you'll now submit your work at the end of the modules - we'll talk through all of this during our Skype chats beforehand so don't panic, it is very easy to upload/submit.
Take a look and please do comment on here and let us know of anything else you think would be useful to have on the page - it's for you!
Some dates to share for you all for now:
Welcome back Skype group call for all will be on SUNDAY SEPT 21 at 19.00 UK time
The shift to a later time on Sundays for our Skype calls is to accommodate all MAPPers and find a time that hopefully works wherever we all are in the world!
Start of term 1- Monday Sept 29, 2014
Holiday period runs Dec 19 - Jan 5 (we will have a pre hand-in skype on Jan 4)
Submission at the end of term 1 - Jan 5, 2015
Finalist presentations (Module Three) - Jan 19, 2015
Start of term 2 - Monday Feb 2, 2015
Holiday period runs March 27 - April 19 (limited access to advisors during this time)
Submission at the end of term 2 - May 11, 2015
Finalist presentations (Module Three) - May 29, 2015
So...dates in diaries, check in on MyUniHub to the MAPP DTP page, have a read through your next module handbook, of course feel free to blog anytime and enjoy the rest of the summer!
Helen
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