A Critical Reflection Of Professional Practitioner Inquiry.

A Critical Reflection Of Professional Practitioner Inquiry.

Module 2 has been a very insightful and interesting module for me.  It has allowed me to explore a topic I am very passionate about, and discover ways that I can research and evaluate this topic.

Reader 4 helped me to discover the ways in which I research within my industry.  It helped me to determine that as a performer I am always researching and gaining knowledge through everything I do.  I began to think of a topic that is often spoke about amongst performers and workers within the industry and noticed a pattern amongst my conversations and readings.  The question arose about why performers work for free and I began to brainstorm ideas about my views and opinions on this topic. (Appendix A).  I also researched what is already known about this topic and found some very interesting articles that helped me to progress with planning my inquiry.                                                                  ‘Trueman.M (2013) (http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/dec/13/half-equity-actors-pay-under-5k-survey)’, (http://www.spotlight.com/news/archive/2012/07/04/equityrsquos-guide-to-the-issues-around-low-no-pay-for.aspx).  After discussing my inquiry question with my Advisor Alan Durrant, I was very enthusiastic to begin my plan.

I began studying all the inquiry tools that are available to use. I decided I was going to make a pilot survey for my friends to take on my chosen topic.  This was to see if the topic had a good amount of interest amongst friends in the industry. (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?PREVIEW_MODE=DO_NOT_USE_THIS_LINK_FOR_COLLECTION&sm=K0cxGiA9qOQu6hViozBocv0rA42JVgcgcAQrQOaDkJQ).  I found this survey very useful and it helped me to determine that I will use a survey within my inquiry to gain statistics and patterns.  I also looked into the benefits of other inquiry tools, such as interviews and literature reviews and found that all three tools will create a good balance when reviewing for evidence in my inquiry.  I blogged about the different advantages and disadvantages of the tools explored in reader 4 and decided these were the best 3 for my inquiry. (Appendix B. LIZZYROWDEN.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK).  I also found that my SIG on Facebook helped me to gain others opinions on inquiry tools and create conversation on the work we were all planning.

Through the tasks in reader 5 I was able to identify how important professional ethics are to my inquiry.  I found this reader very interesting as ethics are there to keep us safe and set boundaries, but there are arguments that they can stand in the way of human instincts and characteristics, ‘If the development of civilization has such a far-reaching similarity to the development of the individual and if it employs the same methods, may we not be justified in reaching the diagnosis that, under the influence of cultural urges, some civilizations, or some epochs of civilization -- possibly the whole of mankind -- have become "neurotic"?’ (Freud.S (1930) Civilization and Its Discontents).  A question I asked myself, is should we allow ethics to overrule our emotions and instincts?  This question arose from the photograph in reader 5 of the Sudanese girl that ‘Kevin Carter’ photographed in 1993. (http://www.cincyworldcinema.org/press/carter2_545x588x300dpi.jpg)  In this instance I believe that ‘ethical duties as a photojournalist’, ‘Nottingham.P (BAPP (Arts) WBS 3630 Module 2, Reader 5)’, shouldn’t have been more important than a human life.  However I do realise that in circumstances such as an inquiry, ethics play an important role and are there to protect those participating.  I found this a very fascinating topic as there is so much debate amongst it.

In conclusion, I have had a very interesting time whilst planning my inquiry and believe that I can take a lot of new knowledge and findings into Module 3, and build my inquiry to become a piece of work that develops knowledge of my topic.

References

‘Trueman.M, (2013) (http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/dec/13/half-equity-actors-pay-under-5k-survey)’,

http://www.spotlight.com/news/archive/2012/07/04/equityrsquos-guide-to-the-issues-around-low-no-pay-for.aspx.

(http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?PREVIEW_MODE=DO_NOT_USE_THIS_LINK_FOR_COLLECTION&sm=K0cxGiA9qOQu6hViozBocv0rA42JVgcgcAQrQOaDkJQ). 

Freud.S (1930) Civilization and Its Discontents.

http://www.cincyworldcinema.org/press/carter2_545x588x300dpi.jpg

‘Nottingham.P (BAPP (Arts) WBS 3630 Module 2, Reader 5)’

Award Title Proposal

Passion and love for what I do, is what has driven me to develop and nurture my talent and skills within Performing Arts.  When someone asks me what I am best at, I cannot answer.  As I feel my strength lies in Performing as a whole, singing, acting, dancing and choreographing.  I believe that my skills work together and not individually and that I am a better performer and teacher for this.  This is why I have chosen the proposed title of Performing Arts as what I do doesn’t fit into one single category.  It fits into the Arts as a whole and has many segments and attributions within it.  For me to single out one skill, such as dance or dance teaching, I would be neglecting my other skills, and not portraying a true and fulfilling description of my talents.  I also feel I have worked hard in my life whilst studying and training to develop all of the relevant skills required within performing arts to just push some aside.  I want the chance to pass on my knowledge to others through teaching and performing and I don’t want to restrict myself to doing this through one genre of the Arts.  I want to teach Performing Arts and everything that is categorized within it and I feel this title will allow me to go on to do so.

Researching.

There are many different ways that we can conduct research and I feel that there are Pros and Cons to all forms of research.  I also feel that certain types of research are better suited to different topics.

Surveys:  I believe that Surveys are a great way to gain statistics and discover patterns when researching for an inquiry.  It allows us to gain a wide range of answers, from different people and makes the summary non biased.  However, I don't believe that it gets a deep enough answer to questions and can be very vague.  I don't feel that I could just use a survey by itself and gain optimal results for my Inquiry.  It is less personal but more statistical.

Interviews:  An interview is a great tool of research.  It allows the researcher to gain a more personal opinion on their topic and also allows them to feel the participants emotion towards the topic.  It also allows the researcher to ask questions about the respondents answers.  An interview can evolve as it is going along and can lead on to so many other questions and topics.  The personal side can however, become biased and cant be used for statistics but can be used to get an inside view from somebody who is involved in the topic.

Focus Groups:  Focus groups are great for bringing together ideas, and creating discussion and debates on topics.  It brings an inquiry to life, and allows us to develop ideas from other peoples knowledge and opinions and maybe take a different view on the topic.  I do however feel that focus groups can also be biased and this therefore doesn't allow enough variety and truth about the topic to be discussed.

Pilot Observations: Observations help greatly with an inquiry as they allow you to develop feedback and ideas over time.  By doing more than one observation, you are able to compare the different ways in which people work and have a variety of research to work from.It allows us to see the topic in action and get a more live experience from the work involved.  I do feel that Observations may not always be beneficiary though, as if the people know they are being observed they may adapt the way they do things and it may not be a true display of the work.

PLEASE HIGHLIGHT THE TEXT BELOW TO READ IT!!  I HAVE TRIED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR TO GET RID OF THE WHITE BUT I CANT DO IT!!!!!

Professional Ethics Findings in the Workplace

After writing what I feel are the ethics and code of conduct within teaching dance, I have done some research into literature and professional sources to see how my views and opinions differ or relate to these pieces.  

I found a piece on the 'NDTA website,http://www.ndta.org.uk/advice-information/dance-studio-specification ',  which i feel supports my views on Health and Safety in my work place.

I do however feel that this goes into a lot more detail and there are more categories listed that I didn't consider in my views on professional ethics.

I found a very interesting piece through Google about the ethics and regulations in dance, and how this writer feels that dance doesn't create its own ethics and that it is run and ruled by laws and regulations that have been set by those who have no knowledge of the industry. After reading this, it has made me very intrigued to research deeper into the political views this writer discusses and has risen the question in my mind, 'Do Dancers follow Dance ethics, or are we following a system that was never created for us?'  The Link is below:

http://www.ethicsdance.co.uk/resources/downloads/ethics-in-dance---a-debate-yet-to-be-held.pdf

I also found another great piece, written by a polish philosopher who's take on Dancer's professional ethic differs from the piece above:

http://www.dancearchives.net/2012/08/13/anna-malitowska-dancers-professional-ethics/

I do feel that by researching on the internet, there is a wide range of views on what the professional ethics are within dance.  I think that this however sums up that dance doesn't have its own professional ethics, it runs on the guidelines of other laws and professions to create ethics.  Can we build a foundation of solid ethics on something that is so free and expressive?  Who can put a restriction on creativity?  If we have to sit and think whether a piece of choreography fits into a code of conduct, is it really a piece of expression or merely a militarized combination of ethical movement?

Professional Ethics in the Workplace.

Professional Ethics tie in greatly with Laws and Regulations.  I feel that we base our professional ethics around what we are told we have to do legally, especially when working with children as there are many do's and don'ts in this field that we must stick to strongly.

I feel that the following are some of the main ethics we apply in my work setting when teaching children to dance.

Health And Safety

We must make sure that the space we are working in is free of any hazards and that it has been checked for any sharp objects or things that could potentially harm any of the children and myself.  It is ideal to have sprung floor to prevent any injuries.  There must be a source of ventilation and access to drinking water within very close proximity of the studio, ideally inside.  The children must all be wearing appropriate shoes for the class to prevent any injuries.  The doors in the studio must also be closed during sessions, so only the adults can open them, to prevent any children getting out.

PAR - Q (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire)

Before allowing a child to join in a class, the Parent/Guardian must fill out a PAR-Q so that the teacher can know of anything that could prevent a child from doing certain activities.  It should also contain the Parent/Guardians contact details in case of emergencies and state any special requirements that need to be met for the child.  I feel this is very important as we can always look back at this and check, for example if a child has asthma we should let them have more rest periods and make sure they always bring their pump to class.

Music

When choosing music to play in a children's dance class, it must be age appropriate and we must have PPL Licensing to play any music in a public place.  It is not appropriate to play any music with swearing or sexual innuendos within the lyrics and the music must be groomed properly before it is played in a class.  This can sometimes be difficult as a lot of children these days love commercial music and you want to play songs they know and can identify as this makes their classes more enjoyable.  But it is very hard to find popular commercial songs without some bad lyrics.

I believe that this article from Equity really supports the research I have been doing on performers working for free.  Please feel free to comment on this subject :)

http://www.spotlight.com/news/archive/2012/07/04/equityrsquos-guide-to-the-issues-around-low-no-pay-for.aspx#.UmbMDVBJOFs