Do some very specific ideas emerge about your networking and sources? Does your engagement to date seem appropriate? Limited? Focused? Planned? Unplanned?
In this part of the module we have looked at our Professional Networks and sources of information. I hadn't realised how many sources I draw upon, to gain knowledge and information. We use our sources of information on a day- to- day basis, which is sometimes planned, and sometimes unplanned. For example, speaking to a family member, or other dancers at classes or auditions isn't usually planned, and in the past, I hadn't consciously realised that they were a 'source' of information. Visiting specific websites such as Dancers Pro and Facebook, could be seen to be planned. The internet is obviously predominant in where I find information, but there are other sources such as publications and the media- via TV and radio, that I could explore further.
In regards to Professional Networking, on reflection my approach is definitely limited and I could engage further through joining additional social media sites such as Twitter and LinkedIn. Although I currently network with my work colleagues, I would like to attend some events that are specifically for networking and are relevant to my practice, which I am going to look into further.
Through reading other people's blogs, it seems that the range of networking you need to be involved in can vary between professions. As a dancer, you need to be extremely proactive in your Professional Networking.
Are your ideas, position or concerns shared by others within and/ or beyond your professional area of work?
As seen in my 'line of inquiry' blog post, I have gone into detail about some of my concerns. They include the mistreatment of dancers, dancers' safety, etc. I'm not sure yet whether my ideas and concerns are shared by others, but I'm hoping to understand other people's opinions surrounding these subjects by doing some further research on them.
Does sharing ideas and communicating with others shift your thinking, planning and practice?
Sharing ideas and communicating with others can definitely alter your thinking and practice, and further your knowledge. I found Sarah's comments surrounding the issue of dancers' pay interesting. Whilst living in Hong Kong, I was a freelance dancer. There was only a small 'pool' of Western dancers, so inevitably we became close friends as well as work colleagues. We were in direct 'competition' with each other, which could sometimes cause tension and sensitive issues to arise, such as why some dancers were agreeing to work for a low wage. As we were freelance, we needed all the work we could get and it was hard to get the balance right between not wanting to turn down any work, and not being taken advantage of and working for low pay. Some dancers accused others of 'lowering the market' by agreeing to low pay. In the end, we had to come together to discuss our opinions on the matter, and agree to a set 'price' that we would all stick to, depending on length of rehearsal time, number of performances etc. It was a sensitive situation, because ultimately we all needed to pay our rent! I'm not sure if what we agreed was adhered to, but by discussing the situation, and sharing our thoughts and opinions, I think we all ultimately benefitted.
As we have seen through using our blogs, sharing ideas has changed our thinking. For example, by sharing our Professional Networks and sources of information and then reading each others blogs, we are able to gain an understanding of which areas we could improve on, and ideas as to how we can become more engaged in our networking.
Does critical reflection help you to decide what really matters and the actions to take?
I think that critical reflection is something that almost comes naturally to dancers. After years of training and looking in mirrors, critiquing ourselves and thinking, did I look ok? Could I have performed better? My leg could have been higher. After a performance, I reflect on how I did, without even realising I'm doing it. During a year's contract in Portugal, our company manager would watch the show and take notes every night. We were constantly reflecting on whether we had taken our corrections into account and applied them to our performance.
As my journal is still in the early stages, I'm not sure yet if it will help me to decide what really matters. However, by reflecting on some recent events, it has got me thinking about my own actions, if they were the right ones to take, and how I should act in the future.
To what extent do concepts and theories assist you in thinking about your professional networking in different ways? And do these different ways of thinking have some purpose for you?
Different concepts and theories assist me in thinking about my Professional Networking, to an extent. I am finding some easier to relate to my networking than others. For example, the theory of Connectivism. This draws upon various digital information sources and states that learners can create their own network, by connecting these sources. I can relate this to my own sources of information and can see that by using these various sources, and learning from them I am also networking.
Other concepts, such as Game Theory, I find harder to relate to Professional Networking, in particular, the Prisoner's Dilemma game. I'm sure that Cooperation is something we are all capable of, and we should utilise this and apply it to our professional practice, but I'm not really sure how to relate this, and how it will benefit me in my Professional Networking.
Are you left thinking differently prior to this part of the module? And if so, how?
I am left thinking differently prior to this part of the module, in many different ways. Before I began this part I wasn't even sure what Professional Networking was or even a line of inquiry. I thought that networking was going to a networking event and meeting other practitioners. I didn't realise that using Facebook and blogs was considered to be Professional Networking and to what extent we can go about networking. I also didn't realise how many different sources I learn from on a day- to- day basis, and how this can be linked to networking. I've learnt that using a reflective journal and critical reflection can be an extremely beneficial tool in professional practice.
Kolb's learning cycle has allowed me to evaluate how I learn, which has got me thinking whether this is how most dancers learn, and how I can use this knowledge in the future, to learn as effectively as possible.
Thanks Ruth
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