When I first started this course I had no idea how much academic work I was going to do. If someone had told me one year ago that I would conduct a whole project and then write 12,000 words on the process, I would have called them a liar. I have shocked myself in how much I have achieved since doing this course.
When I first started, I was a little apprehensive. I didn’t fully understand how the tasks where benefiting me as work based learner. In reflection however I understand that now because I have never been exposed to this way of learning before and I know now how crucial each stage of this course was in preparing me for my project. I can remember thinking how out of depth I felt. This course has taught me to persist. To try and try again and has broadened all knowledge I have of academic writing skills. I can see how my work has improved along the way and that makes me feel proud. Using blogger was a new experience for me and has been beneficial as I never felt alone in the process. In the past it has been easy for me to get stressed out when it came to academic work and deadlines but using blogger has helped me see all the other people in my situation and that has been comforting.
If I had to pick a part of the course that I enjoyed the most it would probably have to be the planning of the project. It was after all my mixed feelings but before the stress of actually doing the project! Haha.
Each module book has been my bible and now it is all coming to an end there won’t be a handbook to tell me what to do next, instead I will take all the skills I have acquired on and put them to good use in my future career events. I appreciate all the positive support I was shown and without the guidance given to me has allowed me to create a project developing my companies outreach work. Even saying it now it sounds so grown up!
Wednesday 4 May 2011
Log 3 summarise main project findings
My research question was “Can using the inclusive method (practised by Chickenshed) develop a person’s awareness in sexual health?”
Completion of each stage of my project depended on the value of research gathered. Using action research I had a constant view to develop and improve my performance based workshop which went through many stages of development. Using various research tools over a 6 month period Ed-sex-tra was able to fulfil its its goal in creating a performance based workshop that could be taken into a secondary school, in doing so we have successfully developed Chickenshed’s outreach work which was an aim of my project. We delivered the workshop to a class of pupils with a view to broaden their perceptions of sexual health (focussing on sexually transmitted infections and diseases) 83% of male participants and 70% of females within the secondary school agreed that other young people should attend this workshop. Within the collected feedback there was clear view that participants had indeed been influenced by our workshop activities and learned more on Sexually transmitted diseases and infections, I believe this to be in consequence to the way in which we followed inclusion throughout the entire process. Ed-sex-tra succeeded in creating an open, comfortable environment for students to learn in, not just within the workshop but also in each research activity. It is therefore a simple word that can answer my research question, Yes!
Completion of each stage of my project depended on the value of research gathered. Using action research I had a constant view to develop and improve my performance based workshop which went through many stages of development. Using various research tools over a 6 month period Ed-sex-tra was able to fulfil its its goal in creating a performance based workshop that could be taken into a secondary school, in doing so we have successfully developed Chickenshed’s outreach work which was an aim of my project. We delivered the workshop to a class of pupils with a view to broaden their perceptions of sexual health (focussing on sexually transmitted infections and diseases) 83% of male participants and 70% of females within the secondary school agreed that other young people should attend this workshop. Within the collected feedback there was clear view that participants had indeed been influenced by our workshop activities and learned more on Sexually transmitted diseases and infections, I believe this to be in consequence to the way in which we followed inclusion throughout the entire process. Ed-sex-tra succeeded in creating an open, comfortable environment for students to learn in, not just within the workshop but also in each research activity. It is therefore a simple word that can answer my research question, Yes!
Tuesday 23 November 2010
Log 2. Reflections on working collaboratively using Google Docs
Using Google docs has not been a key tool for me. It has proven to have some useful elements to it but with that, some elements that have put me off using the programme altogether. It has been a love hate relationship!
My project has a lot of documentation that I need to use, interviews, research, data, workshop sheets etc and I found Google docs to be confusing. I find I like to keep things simple and using Google docs really did not feel that way. I did not fully understand the point of storing data away from my computer when I would have to go onto my computer to access the internet anyway? These were my first initial reactions to using the programme. Of course I realised that if I didn’t have my USB with me or didn’t have access to my own personal computer Google docs had all my stored documentation that I could access quickly and effectively.. Once I had learned all of its features!
Being in a partnership for my project L I found using Google docs to have some beneficial qualities because it meant being able to see everything in one place, we both emailed each other all the relevant documents for back up and project findings but it made sense to have it all in one storage place where we could both access it. On the other hand you do have to be connected to the internet to use this programme so I have to make sure my USB stick is with me at all times in case the internet goes down or I cannot connect to a network at a particular time. Which in theory has lead me to believe that having my USB with me is most probably the safer option.
It made sense that Laura and I could share documents without having to worry about what word format each other had on our computers and this point is probably the one I found to be most useful because occasionally I have difficulty with saving documents /data on USB and sending or opening them depending on what format was used. It is also helpful that it is up to me to choose who can view these documents and what they can see so it is not in any way intrusive.
All in all Google docs has proven to be a tool that I can use and have used to store work for Laura and I to share, However, I have had difficulty adjusting to this way of working because I do not see myself as any sort of computer wizard and unfortunately when it comes down to computers I like to stick to what I know and if it isn’t broke, why fix it? I do feel that Google docs may benefit me later in my career perhaps when I have more patience to explore it? But in conclusion as I referred to earlier the idea of having to be on the internet to access my documents does not make sense to me when I can just save them to my computer or USB instead.
My project has a lot of documentation that I need to use, interviews, research, data, workshop sheets etc and I found Google docs to be confusing. I find I like to keep things simple and using Google docs really did not feel that way. I did not fully understand the point of storing data away from my computer when I would have to go onto my computer to access the internet anyway? These were my first initial reactions to using the programme. Of course I realised that if I didn’t have my USB with me or didn’t have access to my own personal computer Google docs had all my stored documentation that I could access quickly and effectively.. Once I had learned all of its features!
Being in a partnership for my project L I found using Google docs to have some beneficial qualities because it meant being able to see everything in one place, we both emailed each other all the relevant documents for back up and project findings but it made sense to have it all in one storage place where we could both access it. On the other hand you do have to be connected to the internet to use this programme so I have to make sure my USB stick is with me at all times in case the internet goes down or I cannot connect to a network at a particular time. Which in theory has lead me to believe that having my USB with me is most probably the safer option.
It made sense that Laura and I could share documents without having to worry about what word format each other had on our computers and this point is probably the one I found to be most useful because occasionally I have difficulty with saving documents /data on USB and sending or opening them depending on what format was used. It is also helpful that it is up to me to choose who can view these documents and what they can see so it is not in any way intrusive.
All in all Google docs has proven to be a tool that I can use and have used to store work for Laura and I to share, However, I have had difficulty adjusting to this way of working because I do not see myself as any sort of computer wizard and unfortunately when it comes down to computers I like to stick to what I know and if it isn’t broke, why fix it? I do feel that Google docs may benefit me later in my career perhaps when I have more patience to explore it? But in conclusion as I referred to earlier the idea of having to be on the internet to access my documents does not make sense to me when I can just save them to my computer or USB instead.
Log 1. Commentary on sharing resources using resources using Delicious
Using Delicious has been a useful way to for me to store websites that have been helpful for me throughout my project process. The first key point I feel I have to mention is that it is free! And being at university anything useful that is free is always welcomed! It only took a few minutes to set up and no special computer knowledge is needed to use it, which in my case is a big plus.
This social bookmarking site has benefitted me as I like many others before me have been an individual who scribbles down the websites used or copy and pastes then onto a word document and save them for when i wish to return to the site. With Delicious this has been rectified and I can now have the ease of saving the URL websites and accessing them confidently and quickly. You can store bookmarks wherever you are, on your own computer, a friends, an internet cafe, library etc and access your account accordingly. It’s great to be able to share my bookmarks with my friends and co workers and I can share theirs too if they think there is a site that I would benefit from. But I can also just use Delicious for my own personal use and keep links private if I wish.
I thought the link where you could email individuals website links that I had saved was extremely effective and Delicious is a resource that I will go on to use throughout my career but also just for my own use, online shopping etc. I have browsed the internet for sites that I can refer to throughout my project process and it’s refreshing to know that I can access those links whenever I need to.
This social bookmarking site has benefitted me as I like many others before me have been an individual who scribbles down the websites used or copy and pastes then onto a word document and save them for when i wish to return to the site. With Delicious this has been rectified and I can now have the ease of saving the URL websites and accessing them confidently and quickly. You can store bookmarks wherever you are, on your own computer, a friends, an internet cafe, library etc and access your account accordingly. It’s great to be able to share my bookmarks with my friends and co workers and I can share theirs too if they think there is a site that I would benefit from. But I can also just use Delicious for my own personal use and keep links private if I wish.
I thought the link where you could email individuals website links that I had saved was extremely effective and Delicious is a resource that I will go on to use throughout my career but also just for my own use, online shopping etc. I have browsed the internet for sites that I can refer to throughout my project process and it’s refreshing to know that I can access those links whenever I need to.
Sunday 10 October 2010
this is my first time writing back up on my blog! i have been following but not writing so now im back on! the project is going well, i am just over the half way line now and generating some really interesting feedback and research.
so far Laura and I have had 3 quiz sessions with all the students in Chickenshed, done several interviews, and had 2 hour length focus meetings. next week we have our physical workshops which is great because we need more research to create a script for our final product which will be the performance. We are meeting every week and making choices that are taking the project forward and always questioning ourselves and self evaluating our work.
i missed the first session back which was annoying but having a meeting tomorrow with Paula should get me back up to speed.
the chapters are turning out to challenging! im still going on note form but i feel that's o.k for where im at in the process i feel i am making sufficient progress within my research and this will be reflected in my written work.
Watch this space!
trying to get the low down with delicious! Does anyone have any tips?
get in touch!
so far Laura and I have had 3 quiz sessions with all the students in Chickenshed, done several interviews, and had 2 hour length focus meetings. next week we have our physical workshops which is great because we need more research to create a script for our final product which will be the performance. We are meeting every week and making choices that are taking the project forward and always questioning ourselves and self evaluating our work.
i missed the first session back which was annoying but having a meeting tomorrow with Paula should get me back up to speed.
the chapters are turning out to challenging! im still going on note form but i feel that's o.k for where im at in the process i feel i am making sufficient progress within my research and this will be reflected in my written work.
Watch this space!
trying to get the low down with delicious! Does anyone have any tips?
get in touch!
Wednesday 5 May 2010
Rationale
BA (HONS) Professional Practice (Inclusive Theatre Development)
Choosing my award title has been a difficult task for me, I wanted to sum up everything I do in 30 characters. I have worked within Inclusive theatre (see blog entries, section 1) for almost five years and it is now the way in which I work. Being inclusive can apply to anything I do but it has been the life and soul of how I perform and the way Chickenshed works.
I will be conducting my project ex-sex-tra using this method because I feel this is how it should be conducted, it is important to me that it is not just the end product that is valued but the initial process of how I got there and that is a reflection of working inclusively.
Theatre has been my passion for the majority of my life, and I am lucky enough to have been trained to perform but with the layer of being inclusive, something very few people have. Combining these two aspects is definitely why I feel I have to have inclusive theatre in my award title, it’s something that is now a part of me and I want to take with me wherever I go or work. It is something I feel I can offer in future projects/jobs I do.
I have a foundation degree in Inclusive performance and the next level of achievement for me would be to gain an Honors degree in the development of that form of theatre. This is reflected in my final project, a theatre piece is to be created using the ideas of our participants, and we want to delevelop those views, experiences, ideas into theatre that can be performed to an audience.
Working at Chickenshed I am constantly in direct contact with inclusive theatre whether that is performing or supporting the development for individuals or groups. I am always thriving for the development and pushing it forward using encouragement, praise, understanding and patience. These qualities are all parts of the inclusive process and development.
Critical commentary on learning in this module
Critical Commentary on learning in this Module
Reflecting on this learning venture of module 3835, all in all I have progressed. There have been ups and downs and I have taken the good with the bad. I have overcome obstacles and in doing so have listened to and helped others. The first hurdle was the booklet, I did not find it easy to follow and didn’t fully understand what was being asked of me, the final project encounter seemed hazy but through attending the campus sessions I could I found Paula’s, Rosemary’s and Peter’s help all vital in helping me understand what I needed to do. I believe that my vocabulary has improved greatly.
From having Chicken Shed learning set meetings with fellow colleagues and Paula there, I feel more on a professional level and my confidence has gradually grown along with my project. 5 weeks ago I would never have thought I would be where I am now. I have faith in what I am doing and know that it has a purpose behind it. I want to develop Chicken Sheds outreach programme and create a piece of theatre based on participant’s experiences and opinions, I now know how I am going to take this on.
From evaluating my blog entries I can see that my train of thought has progressed and I have become more positive as the entries continued. I am pleased that I have kept a optimistic perspective of the project and with the amount of effort I have put it into it. This has been an experience where I can definitely confirm “you get out what you put in” I always had worries concerning did think for a short while was I up to the challenge? Sometimes I felt that it may have been too much, but putting the work in really throwing myself in has paid off handsomely.
I have managed to discover in myself that I can work individually on a professional task whilst being part of a company. I trust in myself to get the work done and make sure that I understand what I am doing rather than just doing it. As my entries go on it is apparent to me that I became more confident in the time period of five weeks. I became more familiar with the different research methods.
I used my learning journals well and it was a good way for me to express myself.
This project has allowed me to feel more like a staff member in Chickenshed and having the Chickenshed learning set meetings has been a rock in the circle of those who are based there. We are now good at supporting each other and where possible answering each other’s queries.
I now recognize ethics and data analyzing and am familiar with applying them, something that will last me the rest of my career. There has been a lot of preparation in this module and now it is important to me that I must make it all worthwhile.
I feel the most difficult part of this module was creating a project and degree title. This I feel is reflected in my learning diary entries. I express worry over it and it was a part that played on my mind most. I wanted to cram everything I wanted the project to be in one sentence and for me personally that is something I find difficult. It was difficult because I work on such a broad scale it’s difficult to choose one area or sum up everything in a certain number of words. The conversations I had back and forth with Paula concerning this however did put me at ease.
The next step for me it is to physically do the project and I am excited to get it started.
Reflecting on this learning venture of module 3835, all in all I have progressed. There have been ups and downs and I have taken the good with the bad. I have overcome obstacles and in doing so have listened to and helped others. The first hurdle was the booklet, I did not find it easy to follow and didn’t fully understand what was being asked of me, the final project encounter seemed hazy but through attending the campus sessions I could I found Paula’s, Rosemary’s and Peter’s help all vital in helping me understand what I needed to do. I believe that my vocabulary has improved greatly.
From having Chicken Shed learning set meetings with fellow colleagues and Paula there, I feel more on a professional level and my confidence has gradually grown along with my project. 5 weeks ago I would never have thought I would be where I am now. I have faith in what I am doing and know that it has a purpose behind it. I want to develop Chicken Sheds outreach programme and create a piece of theatre based on participant’s experiences and opinions, I now know how I am going to take this on.
From evaluating my blog entries I can see that my train of thought has progressed and I have become more positive as the entries continued. I am pleased that I have kept a optimistic perspective of the project and with the amount of effort I have put it into it. This has been an experience where I can definitely confirm “you get out what you put in” I always had worries concerning did think for a short while was I up to the challenge? Sometimes I felt that it may have been too much, but putting the work in really throwing myself in has paid off handsomely.
I have managed to discover in myself that I can work individually on a professional task whilst being part of a company. I trust in myself to get the work done and make sure that I understand what I am doing rather than just doing it. As my entries go on it is apparent to me that I became more confident in the time period of five weeks. I became more familiar with the different research methods.
I used my learning journals well and it was a good way for me to express myself.
This project has allowed me to feel more like a staff member in Chickenshed and having the Chickenshed learning set meetings has been a rock in the circle of those who are based there. We are now good at supporting each other and where possible answering each other’s queries.
I now recognize ethics and data analyzing and am familiar with applying them, something that will last me the rest of my career. There has been a lot of preparation in this module and now it is important to me that I must make it all worthwhile.
I feel the most difficult part of this module was creating a project and degree title. This I feel is reflected in my learning diary entries. I express worry over it and it was a part that played on my mind most. I wanted to cram everything I wanted the project to be in one sentence and for me personally that is something I find difficult. It was difficult because I work on such a broad scale it’s difficult to choose one area or sum up everything in a certain number of words. The conversations I had back and forth with Paula concerning this however did put me at ease.
The next step for me it is to physically do the project and I am excited to get it started.
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