Ellie Owen's BAPP Blog

How important is being adaptable in my practise? After mind mapping experiences where I have had to be adaptive, I'm interested in exploring this one further.  My experiences that branched out first are: Adapting to a Pandemic  Adapting to Ship Life Adapting to a Survival Job "Adaptability is the personality trait that helps determine how you respond to change" (Tan, S. 2016) In the article 'How Well Do You Handle Change? The Benefits of Being Adaptable' Shirley Tan exclaims that some psychologists "believe our ability to be adaptable is present from a very young age".  Dr Guy Winch PhD explores this theory sharing a scenario which portrays how the "youngest have varying levels of adaptability". This involves three toddlers and how each individual responds. "One cries and gives up immediately. One tries the same strategy over and over again. One tries different strategies until he finds one that eventually work." (Winch, G. PhD 2014 c...

I've come to the point in my study where I am trying to navigate my notes on where I think my practise is and establish some potential areas of learning. One I am interested in and would like to explore further and discuss with my supervisor is 'Transition from Dancer to Dance Captain' . I feel this is an interregnal area in my practise, past and present. "a member of the company responsible for overseeing and maintaining the artistic standards of all choreography and musical staging with a production" MGC Futures During a contract, I transitioned to Dance Captain. I had the responsibility of welcoming a new transitioning cast on board, teaching and installing shows; I had weeks to prepare and strategically plan. During this process I feel that I matured, learnt valuable leadership skills and became more confident within myself. Preparation was key. Time management and scheduling were integral. During my transition period I created Daily plans and constructed a pl...

So nice to see and re-connect with everyone on Module 1 this evening. It was really interesting to hear about all your practises and really made me think deeper into my own. Disciple= dance, acting, singing, music Practise= in a broader context  I think being put on the spot and having to articulate my practise suddenly there and then was initially daunting, but has definitely helped me. After focusing my research on different theories in the lens' during the past few weeks it was helpful to be brought back to the pinnacle question of ' What is my practise?' Im going to explore these further: The transition of Dancer to Dance Captain (what skills, knowledge and personality traits make up that transition) How I am networking with creatives I aspire to work with Helen reminded us all that unpicking our practise is a process and  our practise is not a definitive thing.  We discussed the idea that as performers we seem to have the 'Interpersonal' Mult...

The Theory of Affiliation within our Professional Networks (Lens 3) The Module 1 Handbook explains that this theory elaborates from social psychology; how humans enjoy and benefit from affiliations. Ultimately we have affiliates from 'close relationships' but we also have developed affiliations through networks. (Crisp and Turner, 2007 p.266)  (Allport, W.G 1985 cited in Crisp and Turner, 2020 pg.2) Allport, W.G, defines social psychology as "an attempt to understand and explain how the thoughts and feelings and behaviour of individuals are influenced by the action, imagined or implied presence of other." How much do we rely on our affiliates to motivate, inspire and fuel our creativity? In the first social psychological experiment (Triplett, N. 1897) "compared children who completed a task alone or in the presence of others.. performing in the presence of others led children to complete the task more quickly because it aroused a competitive instinct." The ...

I'm educating myself on 'Journal Practise' as a Reflective Practise and have found that I'm connecting with  it  so much and wanted to discuss it with you all. Journalling is essentially a 'reflective tool'. In the Module 1 Handbook it describes it as a way to develop and continue to learn whilst in a professional field. I've started reading Moon, J.A (2006) Learning Journals: A Handbook for Reflective Practise and Professional Development' this book has been so valuable and has added so much depth to my learning.  "Many of the tools for personal development planning are in effect, highly structured journals" Moon, J.A (2006) How important is journalling within my practise? Throughout my professional training we were always advised to take notes. At my college we were trained with disciple and taught professional etiquette*  from day one and had to implement this in the studio from day one too. Being taught by such renown, experienced teachers ...

What are ethical considerations?  In our Module 1 Handbook we are enlightened that ethics revolve around learning about the impact things have on each other. When we reflect on an experience subconsciously we start asking ourselves questions, we are encouraged to explore these ethical questions with ethical reflection. Each day  and each situation we find ourselves in are experiences. An interesting article 'Ethical Reflection'  (2006) quotes that "practising ethical reflection is a necessary requirement to promote maturity in ethical thinking."  The idea that to sit back, methodically reflect on an experience and explore the ethical considerations will aid you to automatically think ethically in the moment on choices and decisions you make. In parallel to John Dewey's learning theory of reflecting on an experience to educate. Dewey, J. (1938) In a previous blog on Web 2.0 I am quick to explore the advantages of Web 2.0 and not really acknowledge the negatives,...

Last night, whilst scrolling on IG I came across a post by *Matt Haig, author of 'The Midnight Library' that I really connected with especially after studying Web 2.0. My last blog focused on how valuable Web 2.0 is to my career and profession. I saved this post for me to personally reflect on and to challenge my own ideas, but felt the need to blog and share it with you all before I start my study on Ethics.  Haig, M. (2021) Caption: "The internet is great, but.. It encourages us to see value in numbers. Social media likes. Shares. Ratings. Rankings. It places us on a stock market of personality. It focus groups ourselves out of reality. It makes us worry about what other people might say to and about us every time we put something out in the world. And so it can be anti-creative. And anti- authentic. Because we end up saying things with the edges shaved off. We end up blandifying ourselves. We end up fencing ourselves in. But really it shouldn't stop us. The best peo...

The shift from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 is mammoth and has created a multitude of ways in which we can communicate, engage and educate. In the Module 1 Handbook it establishes that Web 1.0 -  CREATOR and READER Web 2.0 -  CREATOR and READER can interact. ' Can interact ' being the pinnacle difference and advancment.  "Web 2.0" is a term by Darcy DiNucci, an author and expert. I discovered an interesting article in which she describes her prediction of what the Web will eventually become- its advancement and growth. DiNucci, D. (1999) Fragmented Future the Web now is "an embryo of the Web to come... the first glimmerings of the Web 2.0 are beginning to appear and we are just starting to see how that embryo is starting to develop." This has really put into perspective the rate of expansion and production of Web 2.0. DiNucci, D. (1999) anticipates that the Web will soon appear on the TV, in your car to provide maps and navigation and for gaming purposes linking pla...

This week I've really focused on reading through the Handbook again in more depth, exploring the many different pioneers that are mentioned; their theoretical concepts, researching their literature and noting down valuable phrases/ quotes which I hope will add depth to my understanding of them. Starting with DAVID KOLB and his four part learning cycle,    'The Lewiman Experimental Learning Model' Concrete Experience↘ Actively Experiment↗                                                                          ↙Observations and Reflections ↖Abstract Concepts  He constructs his own theory with it as a starting point, Miettinen, R (2000). 1 I have used this model as a template, reflecting upon a particular moment and my own process: the decisions I made, the experiences I reflected on, the ob...

I have started my research with  Lens 1: Communication of Ideas Web 2.0. I am finding this thread of knowledge and different concepts very interesting.  CONSTRUCTIVISM Constructivism is a learning theory.  It is based on the idea that you can actively construct or reflect on experiences and make your own knowledge. Learners (you and I), use previous knowledge as a starting point and expand, explore and build on it with new knowledge. Western Governors Universit y  (2020) What Is Constructivism  para. 2 " Their background and previous knowledge impacts how they are able to learn."  S. Downes, a theorist,   believes that the Internet is definitely evolving, highlighting how Web 2.0 is stimulating new ways of engaging and connecting with one another.  "the web was shifting from being a medium in which information was transmitted and consumed , into being a platform in which content was created, shared, remixed, repurposed and...

After having our first 'Induction' group Skype session with a mixture of Module 1, 2, and 3 students, I'm here looking down at a list of notes that I've jotted down and thought what better way to start than to blog this. Hopefully this will add clarity to my own thoughts and help anyone else reflect on the session. MODULES Module 1 is about establishing and reflecting. Ways of connecting, networking and where your practise is today.  Module 2 is finding an area that you are interested in, curious for and have questions about.  Module 3 is undertaking a research project. What is "your practise"? What do you engage with? Your practise is you as a practitioner.  SUPPORT 1. UNI HUB : for information/ handbooks/ library resources/ systems of support 2. SUPERVISOR : for critical questions/ discuss ideas/ steer and guide/ send draft too for feedback/ encourage discussions 3. COMMUNITY: Skype sessions/ blogs/ a safe space to air thoughts on your; findings, handbook p...

Monday the 1st of February, 2021   One of may favourite authors, Laura Jane Williams, describes in 'Our Stop' Monday as a  "perpetual fresh start"  ...  right now, I am definitely manifesting this whilst feeling like I'm taking that first step on our BAPP ladder. Feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Excited to be setting myself a new focus and goal yet apprehensive as to not yet fully understanding the course and as to what I would define  my 'practise' as. The day before starting my first cruise contract I remember that feeling of stepping into the unknown. I was entering a whole new chapter of my life. New shows to learn, new professional creatives and directors to meet, a new cast to share this venture with and a new first impression to make. Yet what an incredible, life changing and rewarding experience that was. I'm going to channel this present (nervous) feeling into that relatable 'pre-contract' feeling as I enter another ne...