Task 2b - Reflective Writing

'Journal Writing Experience'


As I said in my previous post http://lizzieuniblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/task-2a-reflective-practice.html; at first I found the whole journal writing concept quite hard, and have ended up utilising a 'Description', 'Analysis/Reflection', 'Evaluation', format.
I experimented with graphs, charts and diagrams (inspired by ‘My Life in Graphs: a guided journal’, KnockKnock,) as suggested in the tasks outlines; I drew a bar chart of how good my mood and emotions were at different points through out the day, and also drew a mind map of my emotions and critcal reflections about a specific event that happened. However, I am a very organised and extremely neat person (my friends regularly call me a 'neat' or 'clean' freak) and this quite unorganised and free way writing, didnt help to reflect particularly well. By giving headings eg: 'Description', to my journal writing and using a set of questions eg: What was my emoitional high? Did I fail at anything? etc ... to aid my reflections of the day, I found it much more effective and clearer to understand and I will definatly use this method for the forseeable future.


When I was reading through the first few enteries in my journal, one pattern I noticed was that the emotions and moods (I felt when the children arrived) I instinctivly wrote first were all very positive; 'enthusiastic', 'energetic' 'happy', etc... I know that I am a very positive person, however when I actually reflected on what I had written I realised that when the children arrived whom I was teaching, I probably did have parts of me that were stressed, pre-occupied, tired, etc...; yet they were emotions I had failed to record. On reflection I think as a peformer your default setting is always happy, smilely, entertaining, etc..., and you become extremely accomplished in putting on a brave front or a 'show'. I think this is something that I do alot, especially when I am teaching children, which is obviously something that as a professional is expected of you. Having noticed this though I will be careful when writing my journal in future to reflect more honestly about my emotions throughout the day.


Well ... all this 'reflection' on my own 'reflection' is givin me too much to think about at one time; so I'll leave it there for now I think! 

Task 2a - Reflective Practice

I have just started writing my journal, reflecting on last week when I was working as a sports coach for 'Sports Academies Ltd'. I was mainly working with children aged 3-6 years so there was a great deal of reflection-in-action going, on to cater to their needs and keep them focused and entertained!
After reading Reader 2 and browsing some of the websites suggested I found this : http://www.infed.org/research/keeping_a_journal.htm really heplful.
While I find is extremely easy to talk to people for hours about my day; and probably orally do a lot of reflective practice without realising; when I started trying to write my journal, I found it quite hard to know what to write about. On the above website, Ron Klug (2002: 54), wrote a list of questions to answer in your journal. I used these questions, along with a 'Description, Analysis/Reflection and Evaluation' format, as used by a number of you I gather, to help me organise my thoughts and reflections.

Happy journal writing everyone : )

Task 1c - Audio-visual

So I finally got round to making my 'Starting out on BAPP' video and uploading it. I decided to do something a bit different so I hope you get it! When I first started BAPP I found all the new technology and reflective analysis I bit confusing and felt really out my comfort zone; but now I'm really getting the hang of it and quite enjoying myself : )
Check out my video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LT8B9hgPZU' and let me know what you think!

Task 1d - 2d Images

Well I found Flickr a bit confusing! But here are some photos of my work, including some recent teaching - http://www.flickr.com/photos/68792128@N02/sets/72157627799585077/ ; and some of my performances at Bird College - http://www.flickr.com/photos/68792128@N02/sets/72157627799655215/.
Take a look : )
AND ... if anyone could give me some suggestions on my Task 1a - Professional Profile that would be fab!!!

Thankyou

Task 1b - Professional Communication Technologies

After reading 'Reader 1 - Professional Communication Technologies', one of my first thoughts was the issue of privacy concerning a number of Web 2.0 sites.  I know a number of other people have also raised this subject in their Task 1b posts and comments. So here are my initial thoughts:

Before even meeting a possible employer in an audition or casting, they now have the tools and ability, through the use of Web 2.0, to be able to know and see so much about you. Whether it be the infamous 'friday night pictures' your tagged in on Facebook, or embarrassing old videos on YouTube; with out taking any steps to keep this private, it's all out there readily available to be seen.
Would employers in the entertainment industry have the time to search the thousands of people they audition using Web 2.0 sites? ... In reality, probably not. However; that is one of the pros (or in this instant perhaps not) of Web 2.0 sites - you don't have to go searching for information; information can come to you.
Taking Facebook as an example, in 'Reader 1 - Professional Communication Technologies' is states that Facebook: 'shares content (25 billion pieces and counting) and then links other people to events and experiences'; 'makes connections between yourself and things you like and takes note of those connections'; and 'recommends things to you that it believes you may like (friends, causes, groups etc)'.
This is something I completely relate to. I am constantly faced with posts and photos of people who are friends of a friend of a friend, facebook recommending 'People you may know' or suggesting groups I should join where I only know a handful of the members. I can clearly see that it is becoming increasingly easy to come across information about people you don't even know. But in an industry where everybody knows somebody - i feel setting all non-professional information to private, is defiantly a good idea.

Although this may sound quite negative towards Web 2.0 sites, my overall view of them is resoundingly positive. It is so much easier now to 'put yourself out there'; whether this be through Spotlight, Casting Call Pro, videos on YouTube, etc; Web.20 is defiantly an amazing platform. 
I feel as long as we are 'selective' about what information and media we share through Web 2.0 (especially as professionals), it is a brilliant and innovative tool. However, I suppose that may raise another question  - Although we ourselves maybe be selective about what we share through Web 2.0; how much control do we really have over what other people may share about us?


Hope this is insightful! Please post your comments and views : )   

Task 1a - Professional Profile

Here is my first draft of Task 1a - Professional Profile.

PLEASE comment on it with parts you felt work or with suggestions for improvement. Any suggestions will be much appreciated!

Thanks

Lizzie

My First Blog

Well . . . . . the first thing I've learnt whilst on the BAPP (Hons) is that I am so indecisive : / !  I've lost count of the number of times I have changed the design and profile of my blog - I've been at it for hours. But I am now working on Task 1a - Professional Profile. It's been a great help viewing other peoples Professional Profiles as they are all so diverse and individual. I shall comment on a number of them shortly. Here are my Professional CV and my General and Teaching CV.

I realise these documents are written in a very formal way and also contain some information which isn't really necessary for my Professional Profile; but I figure they are a good place to start. I am going to work on condensing them into one profile with a much more personal feel.