Looking at literature…

I have spent this week looking into the various pieces of literature surrounding my inquiry topic, which is about the role of gym-based exercise for professional dancers.

It has been very interesting to note different perspectives on the subject and has also sparked new thoughts and ideas that I now want to look into further. 

A particular article that has resonated with me is ‘The Dancer as a Performing Athlete’, as it recognises the complex relationship between better physical conditioning, traditional training and the aesthesis of dance. 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8377670_The_dancer_as_a_performing_athlete_Physiological_considerations

I have started the basic framework of my literature review and will spend time over the coming weeks developing this along with my inquiry proposal. 

Are there any interesting articles that have particularly resonated with you?

Research as mapping to build understanding…

Todays Skype call has really helped me to understand the aims of module two. 

We discussed how our inquiry is not about looking for an answer but instead exploring a topic that we want to know more about - we are on a journey to find out more.

Module two is about learning research design and the different ways to undertake research (planning the journey), in preparation for module three (doing the journey). This way of visualising the course has given me a clear direction for my next module.

We talked about mapping different ways to research and how there are ‘main roads’ that symbolise common research methods such as interviewing and ‘side roads’ that can offer alternative routes. These ‘side roads’ are the areas that I am going to spend time discovering as I aim to look into less explored methods of research.

We spoke about the importance of other peoples perspectives and how reading reviews of articles can offer different opinions. The inquiry is not about collecting data for answers but it is about exploration and analysis.

During our discussions it was mentioned that we should follow the steps of the cycle in our handbook at least three times during module two in order to explore our inquiry topic and stimulate our learning. I have currently started my first cycle and look forward to discovering further questions and discourses during my research.

Feedback…

As a performer, feedback is something that I have been given throughout every stage of my learning. It has shaped my skills and has been so significant to how I have progressed during my practice.

Constructive feedback of my dancing has always triggered a deeper self-evaluation and reflection of my work using the opinions of someone else to stimulate my own thoughts making it an essential element of my developing. During my dance training I used feedback as a way to set new goals for myself in each discipline. I am going to transfer this learning into my BAPP course and I have spent the last few days setting short and long term targets for this term.

Editing my work is an area that I am going to focus on during my next module to ensure that my work conveys the detail required without the need for too many words. Another area that I am going to continue to consider is the various forms that I could present my artefact in and my aim is to think of a more unique approach that can express my learning through my professional practice as I continue through the BAPP course.

Along with reading and annotating my handbook for module two, I have also re-read my portfolio submission for module one to understand each element of my feedback and to reflect on my work in order to progress into my next module.