3c. Current Sources of information.

            I found this so difficult to establish what my main 5 sources of information were. Then I thought to myself how privileged i was to have all this information so easily at my grasp. It also made me think how differently I would have look at this task 5 years ago. This has all changed due to the dramatic evolution of technology.  After much consideration my main 5 sources of information were from:

My First source of information the internet.

The internet has changed the way the world operates from communicating to finding sources of information. Before the internet if I wanted to talk to someone, I would pick up the phone or even write them a letter. But these days I can connect them on a social networking site or send them an email. Some people may argue that the internet has spoiled the way we affiliate and communicate. Networking sites such as Facebook allow me to contact anyone conveniently, this allows me to be able to seek information off them easily and be connected to others sources of information.

My main source of information on the web is Google this site allows me to enter in anything I could think of and then be connected to a string of sites about this topic. This website makes it so easy to gain access to any information needed. Due to this convenience I feel I use this site the most.  I tend to use these types of sites when trying to find research as recently my Upton Btec course did a contemporary piece based on Isadora Duncan. I used the internet to source all the information I needed instead of having to go to a public library and sourcing the information manually.

The internet has also changed the way I even teach my dance classes as before the internet was widely available I sourced my music from cds. Now I download any music I need off the internet and then transfer it onto my IPod. For me and my students this is easier as I can have my music all in one place because of the internet. For me personally I have found the internet to be my main source of information.

 My Second source of information through My IPhone

            I recently bought the new IPhone 4, since I have had this piece of technology it has change the way I source information. I see my IPhone as a mini laptop, as It has all the facilities a laptop would have. I am able to phone and message contacts easily and I am also able to “ping” other smart phone users. I have synced my IPhone so I have my emails delivered to me like a message. This is extremely advantageous to me, as it means if an important email is sent normally I may not check my mail for a few days but this way I am aware of it straight away. It also enables me to send emails quickly and efficiently whilst on the go. My IPhone also connects me with social networking sites so It is even more convenient to be networking and affiliating socially and professionally.

            One of the benefits of IPhones phones is that they have Apple apps. These are applications you can download onto your phone which can be extremely useful to source information. The app I use the most to excess these sources is EBooks. This is an application that allows me to download any book or source of information onto my phone. I will be using this app more often as we go through the BAPP course.

            My smart phone also has a camera, video and voice recorder facilities this makes it extremely easy for me to take and store information on my phone then easily upload it into networking tools such as Facebook or even onto my Blog. I would highly recommend smart phones as they make sources of information even more accessible.  

 My Third source of information Networked Friends.

            I often relay on some sources of information to come from friends I have met along the line. For example at an audition. It is always beneficial to talk to others that are in your own position as it can often aid you and provide you with advice. I found it extremely interesting reading Jess Hunts Blog on this topic;

“This reminds me of task 3b, theories, relating to networks, the concept cooperation. If we cooperate with each other, in sharing information about auditions, offering accommodation, etc, in turn we can each gain beneficially from the situation.”(Task 3c Sources of Information )

I agree with Jess on this as it is the Tit for tat theory from the reader on the networked professional. Networking and sourcing information is all about cooperation as if you tell one person about an event they are more likely to inform you of the next audition or provide you with a favour. I feel it is extremely important to keep a strong network as it can help you to source valuable information.

My fourth Source of information is through Colleagues/pervious employers and teachers.

I feel I get a lot of information through talking to colleagues and past teachers. In the past it has been the best source of information I could find as it was coming first hand. I always try and talk to work colleagues to gain there advice or opinion on a certain topic. More often than not they will give me advice or a good link to source the information from. I also feel it is vitally important to make a lasting impression on a professional as you don’t know when in the future you will need a source information from them for example a reference. I always try and use the information given to me from colleagues and past professional’s as they have been in your situation and the advice and information they are providing has been tried and tested.

My Fifth source of information comes from Newspapers/magazines.  

            I personally get a lot of information from reading newspapers and magazines. The best sources of information I get about my practice are in the stage newspaper and the dancing times monthly magazine. I am always interested to look into what is happening in the industry and read articles on teaching. When I am reading through these sources I normally come across valuable links to another source of information which often very beneficial. I personally always read through these magazines and newspapers and I never know where they are going to lead me to. Even though the internet may have taken over the sourcing information I will still always use the stage and dancing times as they also have valuable links I wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere.

3b. Networked professional.

            When I first thought about networking and a networked professional I wasn’t aware of all the theories and thoughts, that have been evolved around this topic. I found it extremely interesting to find out about the contrasting theories in this paper.

The definition of cooperation is – process of working or acting together, which can be accomplished by both intentional and non-intentional agents. At first I didn’t think that cooperation had a huge link to networking, but it turns out I am mistaken. The Extract from Axelrod, R. (1984 pp xi – xiv) was extremely interesting, results from his game the Prisoner’s Dilemma’ shows that as in human behaviour we use the toll “TIT FOR TAT”  this seemed to be the best approach to the “game”. I feel this is also the best way to use cooperation in everyday life. The use or “art” of cooperation can really help professionals broaden their network just through this theory.

I personally feel that affiliation is a crucial part of everyday life, as helps in our personal and professional lives. Since the internet has become widely available affiliation has become more of a priority with the help of such sites as twitter and Facebook. I agree with the Extract from Crisp, J & Turner, R. (2007 pp266 – 268): “Teenagers were happier, more alert, and more excited when in the company of others than when alone. In contrast, a lack of affiliation may have a lasting negative impact. In research among children raised in orphanages a lack of social and physical contact adversely affected the ability of the brain and the hormonal system to cope with stress” I fell it is every important to feel involved and have a strong social network, I agree with the findings as research has shown that individuals lacking social interaction can have brain and mental issues. This demonstrates how important affiliation is, not only in a professional aspect but also in a health prospective too.

Constructionism or to construct is to build something in this case an idea. I was extremely interested in Merleau‐Pontys idea that we “How, such thinkers ask, can there be meaning without a mind?” I was rather confused at this until I read further. Constructionism started to fall into place when I read about the tree theory. Knowing that it was a tree but what is it really? Man gave it that name but what was it before? How long has it been there? This got me thinking about other objects such as water we know it’s there I take it “for granted” but what if I were to take to someone who had never seen it before would they think of it differently. This idea has excited me and I am going to research further into it and use constructionism in my thought process in critical reflection and networking.

Connectivism has completely changed the way we learn. Sources such as web2.0 have taken over the traditional ways of teaching. Research has shown that the recent change of teaching techniques has only befitted students. I personally feel that being in the education practice using the technology that is widely available today has aided students, and the courses they are studying. It has been proven that pupils are more engaged when watching a power point than watching a teacher write on a white board. Using connectivism especially in schools has dramatically improved some student’s behaviours as those who learn in visually and kinaesthetically. Being a teacher myself I have used the new connectivism way of teaching as I have set up a web group for the students of my Upton Btec Dance course and they are reaping the befits as it is easy to access work and get feedback from myself and other students. I feel this new theory is extremely advantageous and I defiantly will be using it in my professional networking.

Any comments are welcome; please let me know your thoughts on the networking professional theories.

3a. Current Networks.

As soon as I started thinking about networks the famous saying popped into my head “it’s all about who you know”.  In my professional network I couldn’t agree more. I have always been extremely lucky and had a strong network surrounding me. Although since I have graduated I have had to find new means to contact and keep in touch with others.  To do this I have had to discover new networking tools. I have always used the well-known networking site Facebook to keep in contact with friends but it is only recently that I have used the site as a networking professional tool. Since I have been taking full advantage of Facebook I have only had a positive experience. I have been able to join professional group of dance teachers, on this small network of professionals we share experiences and teaching techniques this has been extremely beneficial for me. I have also been extremely interested in the new site Twitter although I am not a member of this network, in the future I hope to use this site also as a networking tool.

Whilst I was researching current networks on most sites I entered was the phrase “it’s a small world”. I asked a few of my colleagues about this phrase and they all responded with “well it’s so easy to contact anyone these days and everybody seems to know someone I do”. I feel this is true and is becoming easier with all of their various networking tools that are available not only on the net but in communities and through friends. This picture gives an idea of how this networking chain may look.  I am really hoping to expand my professional network and I’m hoping that by my knew found knowledge of blogs, and with the connections I have started to create through this BAPP course it will start to broaden and get stronger.