14th May Submissions...

Quick post guys, is anyone including a contents page in their Critical Review? The format suggested in the Handbook says we should include a Title Page, then our Introduction, Evaluation and so on. What's everyone else thinking?

Filming Experience - Professional Artefact

I wanted to share some reflections on the experience I have had today in organising a group of dancers to get together, openly discuss what Dance means to them, and share ideas on how we can creatively and collaboratively express this through filming some audio visual material.

Admittedly, I have not envisaged today's session being such a learning curve. Discovery of what Dance means to others has been inspiring, and similarly to what I experienced with collecting data at a community based organisation in which I freelance for and am gaining teaching experience at, it has really caused me to identify with why I Dance, and what it means to me. It has challenged the way I think about my practise, I have become aware that if we understand better what Dance can offer us as individuals, as teachers, we can develop our skills to make Dance more available to all walks of life.

I am very gratefully already receiving positive feedback from the session, so I feel reassured that the participants have equally gained from the experience. Through breaking down my project, why I'm doing it, who it's aimed at etc, I have been able to clarify in my own mind my progress. But by explaining to a different community to which I undertook data collecting, I have explaining my findings through giving this new group of dancers the experience of collaboratively sharing creative ideas, and filming material that represents what Dance means to us as a whole.

I had initially panicked that so many insightful ideas were being thrown out within the room, how was I going to be able to remember them all once I had left. There would be no way of re creating that atmosphere again, so I wasn't keen on having to organise a secondary session to clarify on anything I had missed. I was pleased with my decision to actually get each participant to contribute to page of field notes during the session. That way, each individual could volunteer a specific theme they felt they wanted to represent, why they choose that theme, why they choose the coloured scarf to represent the theme, and why they chose to enter and exit the dance space as they did. It also meant I could be part of the piece myself, I felt more involved with the community, and with the inquiry provoking a route of self - discovery into what Dance means to me, I realised it was important that I contributed to the Professional Artefact too. I also now have clear notes to be able to refer back too, which are also helping me in constructing some text to support the filmed material.

It's perhaps not very easy to read, but below are the field notes the whole community created as a result of this afternoons session. Getting others involved in documenting what took place, the how and why's has given much greater depth to any reflections I can make solely on my own.

I have decided to sleep on the days experience before beginning to write up the explanatory text, but overall, a an inspiration learning curve!

Where is everyone else up to at the moment?

Professional Artefact - Audio- visual material.

Having just read a post from Nicole, I have been introduced to another programme to create a presentation. 'Prezi', available at www.prezi.com. Thanks for this Nicole. No doubt most of us are already familiar with Powerpoint, and Flickr too. My Artefact, as it stands, is not a presentation so to speak, but a single video evidencing creative representation of my findings through the use of movement from bodies within a community of Dancers. Because I am not wanting to upload  lots of images aswell, I am unsure as to which programme will be the most effective to use. Having just checked out the website Nicole suggested, the example 'Prezi's' demonstrate a fairly simple but methodical presentation format. I am also inclined to try it and learn a new skill! The site has example presentations which very concisely demonstrate how to construct presentations too, and Prezis have a plus in that you can watch them on line or offline. Has anyone else got any other suggestions?

Learning Curve - Professional Artefact

So having already had a few ideas for my Artefact (see previous blog), I experienced a huge learning curve within my practise this evening.

As it stands, I intent to incorporate a media based approach, and film willing participants in a way that represents what I found about what Dance means to a specific community, and communicates this in a way that reaches others within the Dance sector effectively

The specific Dance community I based my research on, and gathered data from aren't actually going to be used for the specific artefact itself, within the time constraints of our projects I was unable to get adequate time with participants from within the organisation. This however I feel has been a benefit in disguise, by asking participants from within my own professional dance practise after classes this evening, generally people were enthused about taking part, and sharing their experiences in Dance. By explaining to them the purpose for enquiry, and summing up my main findings, it has clarified in my mind what I have gained and learnt from the project as a whole. So by communicating the whole process to others who didn't even know I have been researching what Dance means to a specific community, insights of my learning have developed even more so. I still intend to show the Artefact to the original Dance community the findings were based on however, hopefully they can learn as much from it as I can. In a way, if the new group of participants perhaps suggest new ideas on their own Dance experiences, another route for future research can be created. I wonder if the meaning of Dance varies from one specific community practise to another perhaps?

Professional Artefact Ideas

Although analysis of the data I have been collecting throughout the inquiry process, I have been thinking about possible ideas for my Professional Artefact,

So far, because my inquiry is one involving dancers and dance artists, I am thinking along the lines of something fairly creative. Within the community I am focusing on, ( Ludus Dance - a community based Dance organisation in Lancaster), its users and clients would not lean towards communicating through written page after page of block text. I want to share my research project as a whole with the professional and community dance communities,the process AND the analysis. It seems Dancers tend to communicate through ways other than words, so using one artistic flair and including movement, colour, music, or creative dance related imagery seems logical. In terms of knowing my audience, upon reflection of Ludus as one of my current workplaces, having an audio-visual element to the artefact will most likely appeal to the people who use it. This also will mean the communication I wish to share can reach their on line community via their own website if necessary.

Analysis is suggested there most definitely re - occurring themes to what Dance means to Ludus users, some of these themes are dependant on certain factors, the context of the dance activity its self for example. My artefact needs to show the connection between these themes, but also the connection between each of the users that create the 'community' itself. It seems ones meaning can also constantly develop/change, so somehow representing the idea that every individuals experience of dance is important, and that the meaning of Dance has no solid frameworks on structures that people have to fit in with/to is key.

At the moment my idea is to have recorded material of various Ludus users each connected to each other physically, each person represents one idea as to what Dance's means in this community. They can each then move as they desire, intermingling, but remaining linked in someway (using colourful ribbons to hold between each others hands maybe). Although thinking initially to have the dancers stand in a circle obviously represents the unity within the community, a circular shape is closed, and does not allow for new people (i.e new meaning) to enter this community. Encouraging all walks of life to enage with Dance at Ludus has been a huge theme in my analysis, so perhaps having more of an open ended structure would more accurately represent how my understanding into the meaning for Dance has constantly developed, and taken new direction as the enquiry process has gone along.

The image below takes a similar direction, what do you think? If any of you are dancers, would you feel the same about seeing something creative and visual rather than a leaflet, or text document?

        

Dance Uk- some interesting facts and figures!

Hey guys,

Been looking into evidence of the recent boom in dance media events and compeitions, found some interesting facts from the DanceUK website (DanceUK, 1982).....

Dance and Media:

The Target Group Index (TGI), found that

-'audiences for dance have grown by 13.7% over the last six months'

-'when show on television, dance reaches audiences of 100's of 1,000's'

-'Dance is now the fastest growing Art Form, 13% of the population are now attending dance performances'

-'Strictly Come Dancing is now watched by 10.5 million people'

-According to a survey taken by Barclays, '1 in 10 people last year took up dancing because of the 'Darran Gough Effect'

Also found these facts on learning Dance quite interesting too,

Dance and Education:

-' The numbers of those taking GCSE Dance has increased from 2,752 in 1990 to 6,469 in 2000 (an increase of 235%). In June 2008, 17,855 candidates were entered into GCSE Performing Arts: Dance (source: AQA). On the other hand, those studying dance at AS and A level has increased from 352 in 1990 to 808 in 2000 (an increase of 229%)'.

- 'The number of students taking GCSE dance has increased from 7,003 in 2001, 15,730 in 2005 to 18,866 in 2007' (The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance www.aqa.org.uk/index.php)

- 'The number of pupils choosing dance has risen 83% in four years, according to research by the Arts Council. A third of those are boys (http://www.theguardian.co.uk// 14th March 2009'

Source - (Dance UK, 1982)

Interview Reflections

Interview Reflections

Today I have spent the day with Ludus Dance troupe, a community based Dance organisation in Lancaster. Whilst conducting interviews, making observations, filming dancers at work and collaborating chorographical ideas, my understanding into what dance means to Ludus users has developed even more.

Whilst still ‘thinking’ about how best to structure the analysis of my findings, and composing a format with recognised themes and structures, I have made some initial reflections upon the interview process themselves.

 The reflection process have highlighted areas in which my interview preparation lacked a little, and revealed a few ways in which I could have perhaps conducted myself more efficiently or more professionally.

Although initially I had only one officially organised interview, I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to talk with members of two dance troupes, one community based and one semi-professional Youth Dance Troupe.

Reflections:

Importance of Setting/Environment – although given the option to use a quiet, uninterrupted office to conduct interviews, I was pleased with the decision to stay in the dance studio itself.  My interpretations were that the respondents felt this was most appropriate, it was a comfortable, recognisable space for them, imposing at atmosphere to speak freely. Casual and friendly approach to the interview – sat on the floor, over lunch time break, this relaxed feel I felt helped to ease the flow of conversation.

Making respondents feeling they are in control  of the conversations direction– not wanting to force answers from respondents, I explained what I was hoping to research, and all students were given the option to contribute or not. Initially, only a few tentative students volunteered, but the nature in which we were speaking with one another meant a gradual migration to the group.

Audio Equipment – thankful to have recorded all responses, as a single researcher feeling the importance of maintaining eye contact, I couldn’t possibly have written field notes that were accurate enough for a well rounded analysis. The audio device was passed between respondents, so people were free to contribute when they felt they wanted to. This also meant I have the data in its rawest form to refer to. Rather than risking evaluating my interpretations of their answers, I can now quote exactly what was said, as well as referring to notes I made on body language, conversational flow, tone of voice, facial expression etc.

Number of Respondents - Although having lots of bodies willing to share their experiences, the situation almost turned into a focus group, all be in unintentionally. Had I had time to plan prior, I may have considered speaking in slightly smaller groups. On the other hand, perhaps the conversation was so fluid due to it being inclusive of everyone from the word go.

Consideration of Age – with speaking to some younger clients of Ludus (18/19), I sensed there may have been an element of them saying ‘what they wanted me to hear’. For future, I would need to explore ways in which to ensure they feel able to express their OWN opinions, regardless of the researchers experience in the topics being explored. In an inquiry of this nature, and with my position as a researcher and a trained dancer myself, this is something I shall have to factor into my analysis.

Unforeseen Time Constraints – my main interview for the day had been scheduled for an hour at the end of the day, unfortunately things overran, and we were left with very little time. The respondent needed to be out of the building by a certain time, so that struck out the factor of interviewing in a familiar space. They were also under time constraints that life brings (family commitments/car parking ticket etc) Respondent proposed conducting interview over a drink -  the atmosphere of being in a pub threw me as bit with regards to maintain a professional and fairly formal approach!  My concern for getting planned questions answered under the time constraints meant it was more difficult to flow with where the conversation was heading. As researchers, adaptability is crucial, hopefully a skill one learns through experiences like this one. Although consideration of the appropriate environment for an interview is important, sometimes circumstances will not allow for it. Getting a successful interview it seems lies with the ability of the research to adapt to where they find themselves, and still manage to get the best out of the individual circumstances.

A personal reflection was how I felt my competency for explaining my role/my purpose of being there/the purpose of the project improved from the beginning to the end of the day. My confidence in explaining what I hope to achieve in providing accurate, ethical researched information for the professional dance sector grew, as did my ability to truthfully re iterate my limits and limited capability as a single researcher.