I also shared my original question idea with the group so was lucky enough to get some help from the group on that too!
The question of mine that we discussed was:
How can I combine theatre and working with disadvantaged and disabled children/young people?
It was interesting to sit back and listen to the group (of people I had never really met) work out where I was coming from in asking this question and mainly get it right. These are a few things that were said:
- Want to make a difference.
- From my values and ethics.
- Want to use my theatre skills in my current role (teaching assistant).
- A desire to do more with my skills.
- Social values - desire for equality/fairness.
- Want to make theatre more accessible.
- What can I bring?
- What is my perspective and what can that add?
- What are companies currently doing? Anything I feel being missed?
- How, when and where was research done?
Alan Durrant then made up another question for us to look at and see where that person might have been coming from - forgive me if this was not exactly what it was but it was along the lines of:
How can I create a dance school for the best young ballerinas?
The initial reaction of the group was highly reflective of what discussion had been had just before and it was a great lesson to learn before posing our question ideas to employers and associates.
Because we had just been discussing my question is was assumed that I am a good person - which I hope I am but I may not be! The nature of my question compared to that of the imaginary person posing this question meant the reaction towards it was negative. As soon as this was mentioned we all realised what had happened and if the previous discussion had not happened the reaction would have been different. This highlights how scenario is important to consider when asking a question.
It was also apparent that within a group situation where most of us didn't know each other we answer questions completely differently to when in a one-to-one scenario. When in a group the fear of judgement and getting it wrong stops us from answering a question openly and honestly - in a one-to-one situation the fear is taken away. Another important thing to consider.
Hollie x
Hi Hollie,
ReplyDeleteI love that a lot of your posts seem to about wanting to do more with the knowledge and skills that you have. In this post it is the idea of wanting to make a difference that I am interested in picking your brains about!
I am really interested in the social and emotional benefits of dance and performing arts education. I work with adults with learning disabilities and I see that they really enjoy these kinds of activities but wonder if they can be tailored and adapted to get more far reaching benefits and than just an hour of fun.
I see that you work with children and wonder if you have seen any benefits through the work you do with them and whether you think this would be worth investigating?
What I am really trying to work out is whether this would be information that would be valuable to range of practitioners or whether it is just something that interests me?
I would love to hear your thoughts or whether this would be something of value you to you and what your trying to achieve?
Thanks,
Danni.
Hi Danni,
DeleteGreat to know you are interested in this field too!
I have worked with children in performing arts mainly drama, as a teaching assistant recently in a special needs school and as a volunteer abroad.
In these different scenarios I have seen the benefits that theatre can provide or seen the scope of what it could do if I have not been in a position to implement it! It can be frustrating when I feel like my knowledge and passion for theatre could help the young people I am working with but I am not sure how to express/implement it and to be honest sometimes I don't have the confidence to do so. I want to find out how?
Working within a variety of scenearios I have been able to see a wide range of benefits and I think they are endless! The confidence building, communication skills and creative outlet that performing arts provides can really turn a child around. I teach curriculum subjects through drama workshops and a lot of teachers comment how they see things in children in their class they have never seen before and how some students grasp concepts easier and have a more positive approach to them when they are taught in a creative way. I am a strong believer in maintaining the innocence of childhood and encouraging a childs imagination - I want all children to have accsess to theatre and the benefits it can provide no matter what! I am a bit of a dreamer too he he!
It is something I am really passionate about but as you say I am not sure if this investigation would benefit others or just myself?
But I suppose the fact they we are even having this conversation goes to prove that we would help each other and I am sure there are others out there just starting their inquiry into this field too.
I hope I have helped in some way.
It would be great to know what benefits you have seen too? Are the students you work with coming to you in a extra curricular capacity or are you going to them within school time? I ask this because I think half the battle is informing parents that there are opportunities out there and they will benefit their children - what are your thoughts on this?
Check out chickenshed theatre if you haven't already.
Hollie x
I can hear how enthusiastic you are about this and that makes me think that we cant be the only people that will have interest in this field.
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in particular about your comments on how you haven't had the opportunity/ confidence or perhaps if you're like me enough knowledge to be able to implement your ideas about inclusive theatre. I'm really interested in the techniques that we should be using to get the most out of our students not just in terms of theatre skills whether that's dance, drama or music but in other area such as confidence, social and emotional skills. Do you think some kind of best practice advice on teaching inclusive sessions would be of value? Some kind of guidance on how we can achieve these kind of goals with all students that we come into contact with?
The people I work with are adults within a vast age range from late teens right up to people in their 50s with a vast range of needs and abilities. I have seen music, drama and dance workshops have varying effects. From simply being something that is enjoyable, to enhancing social communication and forging friendship groups. I have seen increases in confidence, and for those who are already confidence but perhaps socially unaware it is safe environment and creative outlet where they are able to be themselves without judgement, and in fact rather than being told to control difficult behaviour are able to use this energy to positive use and gain a sense of achievement. I have worked with people who have no verbal communication and who are because of this more isolated and seen them become part of group by being able to engage in activities where their difficulties are not a barrier.
I agree that in terms of providing this kind of activity publicity would be key, in the field you're working in perhaps parents and in my case the social care providers. I'm not sure however if the opportunities are there as yet? And also in terms of what is available is it being done correctly, I wonder if there is more we could achieve with better informed teaching, so that we do have the confidence and opportunity to teach in a more inclusive and holistic way?
Or perhaps I am completely wrong and as much as cant be gained through performing art education is being gained, I'm really inspired however by the idea that there is more we can do with the knowledge we have.
Danni.
Hi Danni,
ReplyDeleteI love your last comment that you are really inspired that we can do more with the knowledge we have - I think that hits the nail on the head really! Even if it is being done somewhere else we know that we personally can do more so maybe it is about learning from others who are working in an inclusive manner successfully and seeing how we can put that into our own practice. I feel like I want more knowledge in the area then I would know how I can apply my skills and passion to make the difference I always go on about he he! What do you think?
For me it is about finding out more about what is happening and seeing how I can get involved in it and what skills I require. Maybe you feel the same or even if you want to apply it to your current work learning from others already doing it can only help. However if feels so expansive and intimidating I don't know where to start.
At the campus session we talked about the importance of exploring literature on our topic of interest. It was mentioned that we need to stand on the shoulders of giants - the information we need is out there somewhere. Also by reading a little more on our field then more questions will arise that might help us with our inquiry. If you are anything like me TIME is a big factor but Rosemary recommended some good ways to get around reading pages and pages of things that might not be relevant. In articles that we can acsess and search through uni hub you can read the intro and conclusion and it will summarise then you will know whether to spend the time reading it. Also look at citations at the back of books/end of articles and see who keeps coming up the most as being referenced then they may be the key people. Hope that is helpful I found it quite helpful! Maybe we could share any good literature links we find too to save time?
It is great to here about your positive experiences - are the students coming to you on a private basis or do you work in schools through the council? I am interested to know what is going on in regards to getting the arts out to people who would not usually have access. What are your experiences of this?
Thanks - join my linkedin group too!
Hollie x
Hi Hollie,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry I am so slow to reply. As you said in your comment time is my worst enemy, I have already worked 48 hours this week and have a 9 hour shift tomorrow plus teaching in the evening. Your tips from the campus session about literature are greatly appreciated!
In answer to your comments about learning how others are using their knowledge to make an difference I think is key for two reasons, firstly I think it gives us the opportunity to develop new approaches that you can apply to your own practice. It is in learning new techniques from similar fields such as creative therapies and applying these to teaching workshops to get wider reaching benefits that I am interested in... like you said people are doing it, we just need to know specifically how!
And also in finding out what others are doing it gives us an opportunity to find out areas that we make like to move into in terms of career progression and skill development, how can we know what we want to learn and do, if we don't know what is possible and available.
You asked about the area I work in. It is not school based as I work with adults. They people I work with attend day centres, these are run by a care organisation.
The day centres are designed to provide opportunities to interact, learn new skills and gain qualification (for those who are able). The whole organisation is run on the ethos that all people should have the right and opportunity to have and strive for the goals that are important to them. This can include, sports, music, dance, access to work etc. The people I work with have taken part in full scale stage productions, local carnivals and small local performances in front of their peers. The opportunities for adults within this care organisation are very good, however I am not sure if this is the case within all social care organisations. For example would you know of anything of this nature in your local area? I imagine that when people with learning disabilities are out of the education system that accessing this kind of activity might be more of a struggle. And again I think that this might apply to the underprivileged young people that you have referred to.
Thanks for your comments Hollie.
Danni.