Award Title Rational
Notes on this task suggests “your award title should reflect on your knowledge and expertise and you should think carefully about it in relation to your future career development”
My training and Diploma was for teaching the ISTD dance syllabus. Quite a specific and ‘elite’ section of dance for children up to pre professional. At first I thought the title should reflect this. But at the same time my teaching experiences took me to a culturally diverse group of people within the community. Dance in the community has a very different approach to private dance schools. Dance in the Community includes people of all levels and abilities with social implications. I also want to include teaching dance in schools, from key stages 1 to 4. My first challenge was to explore the titles of previous awards. The suggested titles offered are; Musical Theatre, Performing Arts and Arts Management. These titles are clearly not going to be a true representation of what I have achieved to date or trained in.
When I started the BAPP course it was to develop thoughts about my future career as a lecturer in dance I came up with the title ‘in Dance in Education’. Again it didn’t include Dance in the community. A brief discussion with an adviser made things clearer and to date I have come up with;
BA (Hons) Professional Practise in Dance in schools and the Community
I think this implies teaching dance within schools and understanding dance is included in the National Curriculum plus this includes my private school of dance and current teaching practises in the wider community and at differing levels, abilities, styles and management.
I feel that I haven’t come to a final conclusion on this proposed award title, but this is what I have accomplished to date.
I would appreciate your honest feed back.
Hi Corrinda,
ReplyDeleteI understand how you got to the title, but I feel that it is too long. How do you like: BA (Hons) Professional Practice in Community Dance / Dance Teaching
I think the 'in schools' isn't necessary, or replace it with something that can apply to schools, colleges, univerities, private schools, one on one teaching....
Hi Corinda, I think your pre-proposed title is good. It is well detailed but short and sweet at the same time. Also thank-you as you have given me an idea of what a proposed title should look like and it has inspired my proposed title.
ReplyDeleteAlicia, yes, the /Dance Teaching would imply all the education establishments you mentioned. Will definitely consider that. When I started the BAPP course I didn't think that we would have had to propose our own Award Title..This course has really shaken me up in an invigorating and positive way. Well, in fact, in many ways..
ReplyDeleteHi Corinda,
ReplyDeleteI just saw your kind comment on one of my posts from last term, so thanks for that. As I am sure you found, it's always hard to squeeze everything you want to say into the wordcount but I think I am getting the hang of it now.
I had a look at your post above, and I agreed with Alicia's comment that perhaps the 'in schools' wasn't necessary. I think you are probably trying to draw attention to the fact that you have experience and knowledge of the national curriculum, but I wondered if it might limit you (people may think that you don't want to work in further or higher education etc. How about just putting 'dance education and dance in the community?'. Let me know what you think - I may be completely wrong!
Hi Corinda
ReplyDeleteAs you might guess I think it's a great title !!!! Since it is the title of my MA. I think there is a particular culture and particular skills learnt about working in schools. Especially the nature of engaging with a system that is often so diametrically opposed to principles of / in dance. That is why I think it is justify to include it. I think with your experience it is appropriate to underline these additional skills of teaching dance. I think the title also indicates that you understand the differences in working with community (with people who are coming to dance with particular sets of skills and hopes) and working in schools which is about also working is systems and hierarchical structures.
Adesola
I am leaning towards a less cumbersome title as suggested above. Looking at the part - dance in schools - this makes me ask - what about dance in schools? Is it about the way its taught? The curriculum in schools? It's good to think carefully about the award title as you will have this for the rest of your career ... Good luck
DeleteHi Stephanie
ReplyDeleteI think I am happier with the title 'dance education and dance in the community' I particularly wanted to include the fact that I intend to teach in higher education (as this is my primary reason for taking the BAPP course)
As Adesola clearly pointed out understanding the differences between teaching in schools (education system) and the varying levels of people's expectations who come to me for dance instruction within the community. After all, this is what I've been doing for years.
These comments have unpacked some of the grey areas I was uncertain of and at the same time highlighted certain areas of my experiences that I wouldn't have given equal credit.
I think I may settle with;
BA (Hons) Professional Practice in Dance Education and Dance in the Community
I will appreciate further feed back..
Hi Corinda,
ReplyDeleteHaving read your latest post, and finding you professional journey very interesting, I have just read all the comments about your award title and wondered if I could throw this idea to you - Isn't dance in the community about educating people in dance?
Therefore, would it not suffice for your award title to be exactly what you had started the course for:
"BA (Hons) Professional Practice in Dance Education".
You are not saying "within" dance education, which would limit you to schools and higher education. On the contrary, the term Dance Education could simply mean educating anyone who wishes to learn about any genre of dance absolutely anywhere, whether that be for dance within the community, for large corporate businesses or simply what you are aiming for which is within higher education.
I hope you don't mind me commenting - I am sure you will make the right choice for you.
Best Wishes,
Jo
I agree with Jo here Corinda. But it's all you, it's what you want it to be. X
DeleteHi Jo,
DeleteI welcome your comments and any one else's as it raises interesting issues that help me unlock some experiences I may wish to further inquire.
After spending many years in various areas of Dance as you say not just Dance IN Education, meaning within the confines of the Education systems and establishments, which Adesola clearly understood, that particle system was not one of my favorite working conditions, but also in educating/working with people within the community within the melting pot of dance..
Yes, I absolutely see your point about 'Dance Education'. I am beginning to realize that I wish to reach, educate and connect with the individual first and foremost by informing them of the benefits no matter what they wish to do with that knowledge or information. It will be relevant in all areas of their dance. They may be social dancers, professional performers, holistic or secular dancers or teachers.
BA (Hons) Professional Practice in Dance Education
As Rosemary suggested a less ‘cumbersome’ title, so this title would contain less baggage....
When I started the BAPP course I hoped that other learners and my advisors on this course would help me realize or un pack what exactly I've been doing for so many years and inspire me towards my future career. I believe this is actually happening, I am being challenged.. I appreciate your input Jo as it raises issues that help unlock areas in my world of dance.
Best wishes.
Hey Corinda!
ReplyDeleteI only just stumbled upon your latest entry and read all the suggestions and ideas by fellow class-mates.
I am thinking of a less tongue-twisting award title....BA (Hons) in Professional Practice in Community Dance and Education. I think you should keep the "communal" bit in your title, as there has been a huge craze about "Community Dance" in the past years, since Royston Maldoom made it so popular with his "Rhythm is it". I think that would make your title more accessible.
Hoping everything is going well for you...love your comment about the course being a good challenge, as I really feel the same way...many windows opening in our heads, great support observed amongst each other...wonderful!!
Cheerio!!
Thank you Fione. I'll mull over all the titles..... May be I should come up with something completely new.!
DeleteHi Corinda,
ReplyDeleteSomething came to me yesterday and I think it was meant for you (unless I was sub-consciously thinking about myself!?) - just another "food for thought" moment. Unless you've already decided on your award title, the words that came to me were:
BA (Hons) Professional Practice in Dance Development
I hope this helps, even if it is as a tool.
Best Wishes,
Jo
Hello Jo, it was lovely to meet you today.
DeleteYour points regarding the block in writing was almost exactly what I felt in my first module and I had a one to one with Peter last semester which seemed to unblock my writing flow..
Practice in writing must follow, don't worry about making mistakes, allow yourself to do that. It is very therapeutic and helpful. Remember, this course is all about YOU. I remember feeling completely out of my depth.
I spoke many times on many occasions to my adviser. They have this ability to totally understand your dilemma, gradually and sensitively they help open doors in your mind. They do not tell you what your strengths or weaknesses are... It's what you uncover... Just keep writing.
I appreciate your thoughts on my title. It is a bit of a dilemma at the moment....I'm sure something will eventually come to me that will fit my purpose.
Best wishes. Corinda
Hi Corinda,
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure to meet you too.
Thank you so much for your advice. I found the workshop with Peter, so enlightening. I now appreciate what this course and my writing demands - time & practice.
It was so useful to hear the outcome of your writing practice (Module two) within the workshop in comparison to mine (Module One). It made me realise what is achievable within a single term / module.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It has helped me to feel much more confident about how to move forward with my academic writing.
Best Wishes,
Jo
Corinda,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this conversation. I was thinking about the same myself. I'm nowhere near that point yet, but it seems my tittle changes every day. It's a big decision and one that needs great reflection. How are you finding this task?
I like BA (Hons) Professional Practice in Dance Education. It seems to sum up and encompass what you have to shoat about. Please let me know what the final decision is...
Ahmet
DeleteThis is still an on going point for discussion and I think that 'Dance Education' is beginning to sound as if it may fit my criteria, although I will discuss with Paula because I'm still not completely convinced... This is definitely a task for continuous thought and reflection and I feel that I want to come up with a brand new title for some reason. I will, of course announce my final title.
There has been a healthy debate and discussions... It's very encouraging to have this support.
I think it good that you have started to think about your title, but you may keep moving the words around as your situation or thoughts change..
Best wishes.
I think the difficulty with it is knowing for sure what you want to do. Then the tittle can colour this for you. The difficult thing is making it as diverse as possible so you can get everything out of it. From reading your blog your practice seems to have many faces. The tittle needs to reflect this too...
ReplyDeleteThe conversations here are so interesting - Corinda and I discussed this over the phone - and I added my thoughts that community dance to me place the knowledge into a certain category that may not be the one Corinda is pursuing - this shows how thinking about the end (award title) can help one see the current - the inquiry topic with more clarity.
ReplyDelete