Early reflection thoughts...

Over the past few days, I have been keeping a reflective journal and logging what I consider relevant to notate. I often leave my journal to the end of the day by which time I’ve forgotten most of the important experiences that have taken place during the day and include what I feel is irrelevant information. Although I’m fully aware, that what may feel irrelevant now could have significant value later.

 When I think about self observation and recording my thoughts, active experimentation, I learn if something works as a teacher by actively doing it. While in the process I experience what isn’t working reflect on it and change it almost instantly.

 After class I spend time reflecting on what worked during the session and listing ways of altering the parts that maybe didn’t work and noting why.

As I was reading Alicia Andrew's blog she mentions that she sends herself messages on her blackberry to note her immediate thoughts and experiences, this is something I’m going to do over the next few weeks.  I shall note them in bullet points for speed and expand on the experiences later. This shall help me focus on useful experiences relating to my professional practice.

Ballet classes go virtual

I previously talked about how I use YouTube within my professional practice. It’s a valuable tool as I can watch videos and partake in ballet classes by some inspirational ballet masters. In the Metro a few days ago there was an article on the rise in Ballet classes being taken by the non professional to lengthen and tone the body, improve posture and achieve a more elegant and powerful body shape. The birth of the virtual ballet class is now public with Ballet Beautiful offering live classes streamed over the internet. These can be private classes or group sessions for 30minutes or more. So on your lunch break you can whack out a couple of grand battements and a petite allegro. This is definitely making dance more accessible. The only faults I can see with this progression is how can a non experienced ballet dancer correct themselves?

An eye opener

I have been blogging and commenting on blogs and interacting over the past few weeks. I felt somewhat deflated by the fact that I hadn’t received many comments and as we all know without comments it’s difficult to spark debates and ask yourself further questions. As Adesola mentions theses blogs are our campus, so we must converse and be mature and confident enough to make mistakes this is surely part of learning. I was somewhat relived and devastated to later learn that all comments I had made over the past few weeks had never actually reached publication. How? I hear you ask. Well there is a box at the bottom you have all obviously seen that asks for verification of the letters. This has made me think about the speed at which I pump information out without really thinking about what is asked of me. After my initial nervous breakdown I began to think about how much we rely on technology. If all computers failed how much information will we lose? How can we secure valuable information especially now we move towards a strong digital future? We have allowed ourselves to become so dependant on technology that our world ends when it fails us. Hopefully future technologies will solve these problems or at least give us more options. An advantage of web 2.0 is if my laptop fails I haven’t lost my world.

Web 2.0 as a tool in dance teaching

Ulrich describes the process as the ‘architecture of assembly’ participation is the key as we know to any web 2.0 network, like facebook the more we participate the more it can learn and develop.

However participation depends on the user and as I toughed on in my previous blog a negative can be the sheer amount of information and the ability to extract what is relevant. The information is as Peter mentions not that much different than before but we, as the user have to find ways in which we sort, search and use the information and then we as the user have to take this information and create an understanding.

I looked into the ways in which I search online information Google, wikipedia, youtube and msn I use YouTube to stimulate ideas for choreography for my dance pieces; I can view several different productions from all over the world giving me a broader knowledge. The other day I participated in a virtual ballet class from my living room after searching on YouTube for a ballet class. I had the chance to be taught by ballet masters.

There are many social networks that I use daily castingcallpro, spotlight, dancerspro, casting network and dance teachers online that are designed solely for the use of performers and through discussions and postings I learn about new job opportunities, performances and companies. I prioritize this information by selecting exactly what jobs vacancies are send to me and I create a platform to present myself to future employees.

This can be used as a tool to hide behind or give a voice to others that might not have the confidence to do so in real circumstances. These platforms allow me to sort information and jobs I would never have been able to even know about let alone apply for.  As well as communicate and share opinions with people half way across the world increasing my knowledge and thus learning in the process.

BBC news report

Schools need rules for teachers on facebook- interesting read for any teachers.

Some early thoughts into the exploration of pros and cons in web 2.0

Web 2.0 is probably one of the most useful tools we have in development of learning and access to information. It’s fast and efficient and we can create platform to display ourselves and reach millions of people all over the world.  Of course for every pro there is a con and often I find myself just sitting and procrastinating, because I have access to so much data I often venture off. I also find it difficult to extract useful information and spend hours searching for relative information that is constructive and correct.

Exploring web 2.0

This is such a broad subject and after delving into other blogs and theories, I can honestly say I seem to be moving in circles. So I’m trying to hone in my thoughts and think about Web 2.0 and its relationship to me.

Firstly Web 2.0 can be accessed from anywhere in the world. It is an ever changing vast network of communicators who can participate and create a social network.  As a teacher I looked into exploring the theory of social constructivism.

I read the article ‘Why web 2.0 is good for learning and for research: principles and prototypes’ Ulrich, C.

Social constructivism explores the theory of working within a group to develop, explore and discover new ways of thinking. Each participate is seen as being unique with different backgrounds and experiences that that you can utilize and learn from.  Once I manage to get my head around this theory I realised just how much I participate in the learning of others and the development of my own.
    
I asked myself how often I participated and began to realise that participation was actually a function as Hamilton stated. What happens when we don’t have time, money or skills to access these tools?? I began to wonder whether there would then become a certain type of participate? 

I have read up on the Digital Divide and the work that people like Martha Lane Fox is doing in trying to get more people online.  Through reducing these barriers more people can access web 2.0 and get involved in social networking, sharing and enhancing there learning.

I use web 2.0 almost everyday Dancerspro platforms me as a dance teacher and I can apply for jobs, review dance agencies, photographers and arts related resources.

Spotlight is the casting directors bible, it was established in 1927. It originally existed as a printed directory, but now also exists as an online interactive directory, where hundreds of casting directors can access actors and dancers cv's within minutes. Alternatively performers can apply for jobs all over the world, upload headshots, demos and showreals creating a platform to display themselves. 

Over the next few days I'm going to research into the pros and cons of web 2.0.

Personal Profile

I have always been enthralled by the performing arts, dance in particular. I began performing at my local theatre school at the age of six attending regular classes and taking part in performances. My talent and enthusiasm was soon noticed and I was awarded a scholarship to attend The Arts Educational School by which time I knew that I wanted to pursue a career within the arts. After successfully completing my GCSE’s I then went onto higher education enrolling in a three year theatre dance course at London Studio Centre. Whilst training I completed major examinations in Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre and Drama. I toured the UK with Seedtime Theatre Company performing 'Moby Dick The Musical'.

I am currently studying with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing to gain accredited dance teaching qualifications in Classical Ballet and Modern Theatre Dance. After completing my B.A in Theatre studies I wish to further my career in teaching by eventually going on to study my PGCE.

At Present I teach Musical Theatre to 4-8 year olds with a conpany called Perform. I have a passion for teaching and relish in the idea that children are so enthusiastic and imaginative; they are without inhibitions and can be drawn into a story and taken on a journey.

I still find performing an exhilarating experience, theatre has the power to emotionally affect people, and it is invigorating to be a part of something so pivotal to how we entertain ourselves as a society.  

I am fascinated with other cultures and have spent time travelling across Asia acting and dancing in films. This has also allowed me to work with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and has also played a key part in having a strong understanding of working in a team. I am a focused and can apply myself to even the hardest of tasks. Since becoming a member of the Women’s Institute (W.I) working within community organisations has become an even greater passion.

                                            

Mirror Image

After reading several personal profiles I felt mine detailed my journey clearly but without revealing much about my emotional journey and personal experiences.

I have spent time travelling across India acting and dancing in films and commercials.  I often describe India as a place of organised chaos. There are no set rules and regulations, but somehow amid all this chaos there is a system and people manage to function and know there place within it, to keep it churning. At first I suffered a massive culture shock, but after a while I embraced it learning vast amounts about myself and the business.

I present a radio show called the Drama Queens.  The Drama Queens are a radio presenting DJ duo, consisting of two quirky, acid tongued easily excitable ladies, Cleopatra Joseph & Nicole Carman. There is no “good cop bad cop” where the drama queens are concerned, we both have big, juicy, noisy personalities that somehow, through the thick of all the Banta compliment each other nicely. As performing artistes who have trained in acting singing and dancing, our topics often lean towards the direction of stage and theatre, this is something that we regularly try to incorporate in our shows by writing reviews  and raising awareness for theatre and the arts in general. Click on the link below to view some of my work.
                                          Nicole's Flickr

Curriculum Vitae

Nicole Carman

E-mail:               nicolecarman88@hotmail.com

                                                                                                               

Personnel Statement

I am a focused and organised person who works well in creative, high energy environments. I work well under pressure and enjoy being part of a team culture.

I have a solid background in classical ballet, jazz, modern, tap and musical theatre also a detailed knowledge of body posture movement and anatomy. Other skills include demonstrating dance techniques and musical rhythms.

I am currently studying the ISTD syllabus, to gain accredited dance teaching qualifications in Imperial Classical Ballet and Modern Theatre Dance. I am also enrolled on a B.A conversion course at Middlesex University.

Teaching Experience 

Dance and Drama Teacher	Perform	London
Workshop Leader   T.I.E	Pyramid Productions	Tour
Assistant Ballet Teacher	Arts Educational School	London

Performance Experience

Radio Presenter	Drama Queens   SW1	SW1 Radio
Lust, Seven Deadly Sins (Dancer) Feature Film	Teen Patti  Leena Yadav	Serendipity Films
Dancer Commercial	Magic Moments Flexi	Genesis Productions
Dancer Feature Film	The Cheetah Girls   One World Paul Hoen	Disney
Showgirl Feature Film	Singh Is Kinng   Anees Bazmee	Blockbuster Movie Entertainers
Josephine   Theatre	A Taste Of Honey  Ian Dewar	Seedtime
Ishmael Theatre (Tour)	Moby Dick The Musical   Ian Dewar	Seedtime
Gilbert Theatre	Try It Again   Ian Dewar	Seedtime

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The North London Dance Studio 2010 to present

Diploma in Dance Instruction with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing

London Studio Centre, 2003-2006

Foundation Degree in Theatre Dance, University of the Arts, London

Arts Educational School, 1998-2003

Current CRB Check and First aid qualified

                                             

                                           

                                                 References available on request

Naked Truth

I left the introduction to the BA professional practise today feeling motivated and inspired.
The resources available and the network of people had me running home to get involved.

A discussion that was touched on over a morning cup of coffee was the precision that most dancers strive to have. After studying much of my life within a dance based institute I find this assumption in general to have some truth, as I sit here for 3 hours debating whether the 'ABOUT ME' section should be on the left or the right and so ridiculously I feel a little exposed.

Aside from this slightly naked feeling, the course shall spark debate and creativity and the journey for me is going to be equally, if not more important than the end result. So lets get started...