Task 1d: 2d Images

I have and always will love a picture, although gone are the days of the good old photo album!  I still have my collection, most probably dusty now, at the top of my wardrobe.  But I do enjoy a look through them every once in a while!  I am rather organised when it comes to my pictures and having recently bought a new laptop I don't currently have any on here and so I am in the process of backing up all my albums on CDs.  Since I had my first digital camera which must be coming up to ten years now, I have always posted my photos onto Facebook and named them as a album.  Now if you know Facebook then you will be aware of the tagging system,  and due to the type of work I am in I am very careful with any images that I am tagged in with regards to privacy and therefore they will only show up on my page if I authorise it.  

I do own an instagram account and I tend to pick out my favourite images on there and I really enjoying the editing of colour you can apply to those.  Because this collection of images are quite varied and I do have a setting on that also where by I only allow my friends to follow me and in turn view my pictures, I have set up a separate account and ventured into the world of Flickr.  

My Flickr images will be solely based around my BAPP Course and therefore give me direct access to pictures that relate to my work and learning.  I thought that this would be the most organised way for myself to use later on in the modules for reference.

Within my Flickr account so far my images relate to my previous performance work.  This includes head shots, body shots and poses and some costume and performance shots.  As a dancer, a head shot is a must.  Every audition you attend you need a head shot.  Every time you change your hair you need to have a new one done.  There is certain criteria worth sticking to with these in order to get yourself noticed and more importantly, remembered.  I had my first set of shots done whilst in my final year of college, it was recommended that you have them in a black and white version and a size of 10" by 8".  I have to say that as time got on and I was at times attending multiple auditions week after week, I worked out better for me to do a bulk print of slightly smaller shots.  At the end of the day, if you could clearly see your face in picture form then the size was never really going to matter!

Body shots were always useful for online profiles and to insert into show reels.  And it was quite easy to get multiple shoots without having to spend loads of money on images that would have a huge effect.  I did have the advantage at the time of my cousin studying for a photography degree so we would both in turn be helping each other out in the end!

I will be using this new account to add new images whilst travelling deeper into my journey on this course.  I think to use this as a story telling tool will create a somewhat nostalgic feeling when I look back on it in the future :-)

Campus Session: 29th October

...It was one of those days I like to call a 'moody' day, dark and dreary with a sense of gloom.  I approached the intimidating building.  This was to be my destination, for now, but I couldn't seem to picture the end.  There was an air of silence as I walked steadily down the pathway, not knowing which way to turn.  As I took a sharp turn into the bricked structure, an alarming sound filled my head.  It got increasingly loud, circling and swirling, I didn't know where to turn!  Suddenly I felt a strong grip to my shoulder, I shuddered  before letting out a yelp, and heard, "can I help you Miss?"

So today was my first day on campus at Middlesex University and above is just a small example of what we got up to today!  We only had a small group of three, which was lovely as we really got to discuss experiences and ideas.  Our main focus was Part 2, which I am yet to start so I found this really beneficial to prompt my thoughts about what to consider for these tasks.

JOURNAL

We discussed loosely possible content for the journals, and as this is essentially a private journal there is obviously no definite answer.  What I did take from this is to really focus on reflecting on your experiences and to even reminisce on past experiences and how you may have learnt from them to change the way you approach your practice in the present day.  I suppose your journal can be seen as a new learning tool and this will become apparent when you begin the inquiry and start referring back to the journal.

PRACTICAL EXERCISES 

Towards the end of our session we took part in some exercises which relate to the senses.  One of which was connected to our sense of smell where we had two different scents to see if we could link that to a thought.  For me, I very often link smells to previous experiences and memories which I suppose is a form of comfort, especially as they are generally happy moments that I remember.  It was interesting to see the range of thoughts we had when smelling these different scents.  

The next exercise we did was to use non-verbal movement where we took our everyday routine from the kitchen in the morning.  We had to use our memories and visualisation to demonstrate how we move by improvising these movements.  The thing that became apparent to me is that I don't really like routine and so I almost had to use the idea of improvisation to combine a number of routines I often take in the morning.

We fell into the Halloween theme finishing with a some story telling which I why I began this post with something similar! We did this by contributing to the story with a sentence or small paragraph at a time.  This was a different way of thinking as we had to improvise again but it needed to link to the previous vocal input.  This was a fun task and certainly made me think and dig deep into my creative thoughts.

IMAGES

We discussed the use of images, which links to Task 1d and it was highlighted that use of images can be used towards the end draft of this module.  We discussed the colour wheel and how the opposite colours within the wheel can often form interesting pairings of colours which can stand out and be really eye-catching.  We asked ourselves as dance performers or teachers have we ever considered the use of an image to trigger a new idea or inspiration to use within our practice.  I actually haven't done this since I was doing AS Level Dance where we would use images as the stimuli for choreography.  This certainly got my mind ticking of using this idea for future practice to try and form a new range of ideas to work from.  

As I wondered out of the campus I took this picture below,  it doesn't necessarily give me an immediate flow of ideas for anything but it did stop me in my tracks with that bold burst of colour!  So I think I will add to my Flickr account, images that I capture whilst on my journey through this course.  Almost like a diary in pictures, and who knows, they could create something special!

Outside Middlesex University Campus

Task 1b: Using Web 2.0 for learning...

I would certainly be very lost without the use of Web 2.0 to contribute towards my learning.  This has not only developed my competence as a dance practitioner but confirmed and explained concepts or questions with the use of tools such as 'Google search' or 'Wikipedia'.  As a dance teacher I, like many (I hope), have needed inspiration for new ideas.  'You Tube' is normally my go-to destination and I will easily spend hours looking for music, new dance moves and themes I can use to broaden my use of resources.  Recently a 'Facebook' group I have joined has allowed me to ask questions and gain ideas from others.  This is one of my preferred tools allowing myself and others to post views on discussions and share ideas.  

Of course I wouldn't even be able to share my thoughts on any of this if it wasn't for blogging!  And although I know that it would be possible in a different way, but how much easier and accessible is it to be able to have the luxury to hop onto a device, type and click!

Task 1b: Ethical Considerations

As a dance teacher within the public sector of dance schools and especially primary schools,  I am constantly being faced with ethical issues to consider.  Since the use of the internet has progressed, along with that has come the negatives which challenge the the access to information which may once have been kept confidential.  Personal details are no longer personal with the use of profiles on websites such as 'Facebook'.  And the distressing use of images used for indecent purposes has triggered an increasing rise in media permissions.  

I suppose I need to consider my profile in terms of professionalism. To create a blog, means that I am allowing others access to not only some of my personal details, but also to my thoughts and ideas. This in turn is leaving my quite exposed as an individual who wishes to develop forward as a qualified Teacher.  And so it is important when using these forms of interaction and communication that you consider the content and any possible implication it may have.

I read the web source on netiquette which I suppose can be seen as guidelines to communicating ethically online.  Whilst these are probably common knowledge for those that regularly use the internet as a communication source, I can see how some of these can often be overlooked. 

Task 1b: Web 2.0

I always thought that my technical knowledge of communications was of a relatively good level.  I now consider my knowledge to be that of rather mediocre after browsing through the reader of this particular task!

I have never heard of the concept of Web 2.0 and so this certainly got me thinking and better yet exploring the very vast range of the social-networking phenomenon.  I currently use many of the main social networking platforms but all in a different way.  And yet all of these strangely have some sort of impact on my life, whether the impact is to connect with new people, to develop my knowledge or to just simply voice an opinion and learn that of others. 

Unfortunately the link for Tim O'Reilly given in the reader has become unavailable which was interesting! But I did manage to track it down and this actually made me realise that Web 2.0 isn't just about social networking.  In my opinion, it seems that Web 2.0 is a developing form of technology which will only enable us to have access to build on our intelligence of what is possible within the world we live in.  Technology develops at such a fast speed, so fast in fact that it took me a good few days to become familiar with the software on my new laptop.  And that is what a difference of five years can make within technology!

What is a Meme?

When reading through the reader for this task, I was interested to develop my knowledge of Web 2.0.  I came across the word 'Meme' which meant absolutely nothing to me.  In Tim O'Reilly's article 'What is Web 2.0' he refers to Web 2.0 as a meme.  So for me to understand exactly what Web 2.0 is, I need to understand everything that it represents.

'What is Web 2.0...' -Tim O'Reilly

I searched online to determine exactly what a 'meme' is.  I came across this interesting article from Paul Gil to answer the question of: What is a 'Meme'? What Are Examples of Modern Internet Memes?  
This helped me to understand why Tim O'Reilly talks about Web 2.0 as a meme, and how it can be seen as a collective of social ideas transmitted through the internet.

This is such a small area of what Web 2.0 is all about.  So I look forward to exploring this concept more and even using it to develop my knowledge and understanding towards this degree.

Task 1a: Professional CV

After browsing through my many CVs as well as some online profiles and my blog I have put together aspects of all to create a 'Professional CV'.  This will obviously be a working progress as I develop ideas and skills throughout this course which I have found has already begun due to my working on this version of my CV. Hopefully this CV will become my main tool for when I have completed this course with the hopes of driving my future.

So below is what my CV currently looks like...

Professional CV

Task 1a: Professional Profile

So the question which I had to ask myself was, what do I include in my professional profile?  It struck me that when and if I apply for a job with the use of a CV, I actually have to decide which CV I use.  As a previous professional performer I have what I call my 'Dancer CV'.  I then have my 'Teacher CV' along with 'Promo CV' and general 'Work CV'.  Not one of these CV's include all my work experience as for obvious reasons, some of the work is very insignificant and just doesn't apply to the job role.  Another thing to consider is the fact that if I was to actually include all my work experiences I think it would deter anyone from actually reading the length of it!

So in relation to the task to create a professional profile, I have to consider which information would be relevant to this particular practise.  And so I have scoured through my many versions upon versions of CVs and attempted to collate them in the best way that would help me with this task.

Now before I begun this task, I had already created my section of 'About Me', so to incorporate my professional profile into my Blog profile I am going to expand on this and add in relevant information.  I suppose this style of profile is similar to that of Linked In which I do have a profile with.  Now my profile on Linked In is that of a mixed style CV as I have used it to direct towards work within teaching and within office work.  I quite like the layout of the Linked In profile, being very functional as I am sure it is intended. I have only ever used the App version of this on my phone so have actually captured this from the website and combined it together as a type of template to aid me within this task.  

http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/lisa-axelson/42/68b/5ab/

I will attempt to create a new improved blog profile which will double up as a professional profile.  I do tend to change things quite frequently so I am sure I will constantly be updating and improving the information provided within my Blog.  I have put together what I will call my first draft of the information provided within my Blog which as you can see below is really quite minimal in my efforts to get my Blog up and running.  So as I learn more and develop new skills I can also add to this version of my Professional Profile!  

Draft 1 Blog Profile

Here we go...

New horizons...

So I have taken the leap and after making a prompt decision to immerse myself into this new and exciting challenge of furthering my education, I have also already come across so many things I didn't even know existed!  And so I welcome myself to the world of blogging and actually think I will settle into this way of communication really quite easily.  Sometimes I find it so much easier to write, or type in this case, my thoughts and reflect on ideas and concepts.  What a great way to document and share so many things with others!  Onwards and upwards...