Jen Cooper - BA Professional Practice Blog

With only two weeks until module two drafts are due I'm feeling the pressure to make sure I've included everything in my work that needs to be there.  My desk is swamped in papers of literature I've been reading and I have so many tabs open on my computer its ridiculous.  I never thought of myself as an unorganised person but when I look at my desk (see photo above) I'm starting to think if I'd approached my research in a bit more of an orderly manner I'd be able to actually see my desk right now! :-) That said I've read and learnt so much over the last few weeks about my inquiry topic and how to approach qualitative research I'm starting to get excited about what's ahead after this module - actually carrying out my inquiry.  If I could give any advise to those starting out in module two it would be to make notes as you read each piece of literature and keep track of your readings/ themes.  Looking back I feel like I approached the literature review ...

When looking at qualitative research methods I came across some qualitative action cards that really helped me sum up various terminology when creating my proposal. Just brief and to the point it gave me that little bit more understanding. I thought I'd post a blog on it in the hope it may help others as they approach their research proposal. Happy reading! Actions:  Within the participatory approach to qualitative research, action refers to an intervention based on the qualitative research findings that is co-designed by all stakeholders with the objective to achieve social change.   Conceptualization:  understanding how individual components of data are linked together in a broader conceptual framework to help understand or explain a phenomenon as a whole   Constant Comparative Method:  Part of the grounded theory method that involves a process of constantly comparing and contrasting data at every stage of analysis to identify patterns and explanations.  ...

For my inquiry I have decided to do something along the lines of identifying the benefits of dance in young children from the perspectives of primary teachers, dance teachers and parents of children who dance and see where all these perspectives align. Within my literature review on identifying the benefits of dance I have chosen to look at the themes of child development, dance and education, and approaches to pedagogy as I feel they will give me good insight and take my inquiry where I'd like it to go.   Excuse the quick notes as I'm just getting my thoughts out there on this blog but as a dance teacher I think doing this inquiry will help develop my practice in various ways: From a marketing perspective  it will allow me to see what parents see as the benefits/ most important things of sending their child to dance and so I will then be able to target specific audiences and make them aware of these benefits and get more pupils in my classes. For example as a dance teacher I ...

There are so many topics that interest me within my field of practice I have found it hard to find a focus! Mapping all these interests have helped me to narrow down what I'd like to find more about.  Using my reflective essay in module 1 and listing all the AOL's and then the sub-topics within them has helped with this.  My interests have such a broad range from eating disorders in adolesence, dance and culture - how the environment we're in affects our experience of dance to the benefits of dance and what they bring to an individual.   After a Module 2 Skype call with Helen she said that this module is for the planning of our inquiry and module 3 for the actual doing of the inquiry over a 12 week period.  This is a long time and so it should be something that interests us and keeps our focus. With that in mind I have decided I would like to focus on something to do with the benefits of dance.  There are so many and I'm keen to find out more especially when it ...

Almost 3 weeks into the course and I feel like I've spent the majority of my time researching - researching how to research, methods of research, researching others blogs (mostly those who have already done module 2), researching different inquiry ideas, researching how to do a literature review, researching what things mean, researching what this is and that is - you get the gist!!!!   It can be a little overwhelming at the start of any module and I'm feeling like I'm still yet to get going but, when I look at my notes and how much I have learnt from reading the handbook, the Kortex, blogs, videos and others over the last few weeks I actually hope I'm setting myself up to be fully prepared for the rest of module 2!  Some helpful resources I've come across so far (which may help any future module two students): The Kortex book (obviously!) Finding the Audible book: Qualitative Research: A guide to Design and Implementation by Sharan B. Merriam and Elizabeth J. Tisde...

I felt surprisingly more relaxed in the welcome back zoom on Friday compared to the one I attended in Module One. Perhaps its because as I embark on Module two although the worry of the unknown still lies ahead I know I felt this way in Module One and still managed to get through.  Or perhaps it's because I now have a network within the BAPP community who I know are feeling or have felt the same way as I do. For those just starting Module One as well as reading the handbook over and over I would highly recommend: Reading as many blogs as you can - those in the same module and different modules to you. Join the BA PP Community Facebook page. If you're able to get a Whatsapp group going for Module One I would highly recommend it.  Its so reassuring to know others are going through the same emotions as you! Saying it again as it's SO important - read the handbook over and over.  At each reading your understanding of the module and what's expected will become clearer! So no...

synthesis / ˈsɪnθɪsɪs/ noun 1. the combination of components or elements to form a connected whole. "the synthesis of intellect and emotion in his work" (definition from Oxford languages) In today's Skype we spoke about how in module 1 we have gathered lots of information about our life (our data). This information is used to critique our practice through analysis. Adesola came up with a fantastic cooking analogy that we've been mixing together our ingredients that come together to make ultimately what our individual practice manifests as. One thing I found when writing the module one essay was how everything seemed to link.  Each area of learning, and the lenses had an underlying connection that is unique to me! We briefly spoke about the artefact and how it should explain things from the essay but in an art form. For example if our essay was the front of a pencil sharpener our artefact would be the back.  They explain the same thing but differently!  This has helped...

Well today was the submission date for our first draft of the module 1 essay and I have to say what a relief it feels.  I don't doubt there will still be lots of work to do when the feedback comes back but for now I am just enjoying the fact I've written my first essay! The first hurdle on this journey. I've found the process of reflecting on my practice quite fascinating and have actually found many things out about myself on the way. Looking at my learning style and different theories has opened my eyes to different thought processes. Does anyone else feel the same? Now to breath a sigh of relief and work some more on the artefact! 

As someone who hasn't written an essay for a number of years the writing workshop with Peter Thomas couldn't have come at a better time. I'm currently in the midst of writing my module 1 essay and Peter provided that bit of extra clarity I needed. One of the most helpful things from the workshop was when writing your essay to; Generate:  Don't worry about the reader.  List, free write, mind map (document your thoughts), dictate. Organise:  Map relationships between ideas (more mind maps). Group ideas. Find themes. Present:  How does it sound. Proof read. Think about the reader. Write -------- Review -------- Rewrite  I've been trying to take my mountain of notes along with a very brief outline of how I'd like my essay to look and type them straight into a perfectly formed piece of writing. It hasn't been working and the idea of freely writing my essay without thinking about the reader to begin with (although probably quite obvious really) was a bit of a l...

Today's skype call had a lovely flow where all participants added and built on the conversation.  It was so interesting to hear different view points and thoughts. One part of the call was on questions. Question words, question what my practice means to me, question the meaning behind something to understand and gain knowledge. I absolutely love the idea that we question to find out more not to find out answers. What we know is always changing therefore we have to keep questioning to remain up to date.  If we weren't constantly questioning how would things change? How would we develop in our practice?  Whether its me questioning others or others questioning and challenging me this is a key component of continuous learning which in turn is part of growth, development and evolution. We are born curious, with a thirst for knowledge.  The average child asks 73 questions a day*.  These questions play an important role in the Childs cognitive development. It's how the...

The induction skype on Friday was very inciteful -  listening to those starting on modules 2 & 3 and hearing their tips for those of us at the beginning of this journey on module 1.  Something that was repeated a few times was the importance of blogging.  Post on your own blog regularly, read fellow BAPP blogs and comment on others posts.  The importance of the handbook was another take away that stood out.  I fully intend on structuring reading time with the handbook and repeat reading over the coming weeks to give me the best possible understanding of what's ahead.  I'm now really looking forward to the process of delving into my practice. To question and to reflect and to better understand and develop as a practitioner of dance. 

  Nervous, excited and ready to get stuck in!  After deferring my place on the course due to Covid-19 and with my 3 children all back to school I am raring to go with the BAPP.  My one to one with Adesola was so helpful and I'm feeling a lot more confident and ready to see where this first module takes me.  Can't wait to start my journey!