Log Eleven: Task 2A - Reflective Practice

Having just started week three of my journal I am quite stunned about how I have enjoyed this task because initially I was apprehensive about having a journal because while I love reading I usually struggle to creatively write about my day.

I have found that having a mini notepad to have come in handy as I have been able to write quick notes (In a bullet points and spider gram format) while I am working in a lesson at my local primary school as I have found it’s important in understanding the learning objective a teacher sets to their class and how they plan on teaching the material and how the students respond to their teaching style as well as the material. Also, I have found it easier to keep my journal day notes in my phone via text applications or the built in voice recorder when I am at Chickenshed Theatre Company, which I have used the most when storing information. Afterwards I would wait until the second week day of the journal to type up both days and reflect on each. This method has allowed me to to actively compare two days before reflection phase.

Finally I have found it to be useful to review the week as a whole at the weekend to enable me to critically reflect upon my own thoughts and how I can develop my “active thinking”. Thanks for reading.

Log Ten: About Chickenshed Theatre Company

Our inclusive creative process values all our members as equals. It’s the way we run our theatre company, our youth workshops, our outreach projects and our education programmes. And, one day, it will be the way the world works. That is our vision.

Our values guide us and help us achieve our vision. 

• No compromise on our quality 
• No compromise on our principles 
• No compromise on our people

'We deeply believe that every person has a contribution to make and it is the sum of those contributions that creates each piece of theatre. The best feeling is watching people begin to believe in themselves.

'There is no failure at Chickenshed because as long as you do your best you are a success. That lack of failure is liberating and we watch people’s self worth grow and it is almost as though they open like a flower and blossom before our eyes.' - Mary Ward, Artistic Director

This is a video about the history of Chickenshed Theatre Company while also detailing their vision on inclusive theatre. I will be enquiring about their philosophy and identifying their core values as part of my project. Thanks for reading and watching.

                             

Log Nine: Task 1B - Professional Communication Technologies

Having read Reader 1 a few times and browsed through some interesting blog posts about people's perception on Web 2.0, I thought I would add my own personal and professional opinion on Web 2.0. My opening thoughts on web 2.0 tools were about identifying the primary purpose of their existence in our world. I believe there are many purposes of web 2.0 but from my experience with web 2.0 they are two key "ingredients" a user would find an attractive aspect, which are the following in no particular order:

1. "Global Connections"
2. "Social Interactive Education"

"Globally Connecting" people is a key function for a web 2.0 tool to have because 10 years ago we didn't have Facebook or Skype, so say a "Homer Simpson" went on a business trip to India while a "Marge Simpson" was at home and telephone calling service was unavailable like the recent Blackberry service then they wouldn't feel connected. However through usage of a web 2.0 tool such as Facebook or Skype the user now has an additional and/or alternative option of connecting with another user through messaging, calling or even video calling regardless of the location from both users.

"Social Interactive Education" is another key function I believe a potential user of a web 2.0 tool would find attractive because as well as expanding one's social network they would also be accessing information they wouldn't have even considered to learn. As well as social connection and educational purposes, web 2.0 can also raise the awareness of one's professional achievements through web 2.0 tools such as LinkedIn.

I believe I have mentioned above the positive aspects of web 2.0, so now for the negatives that web 2.0 can create. Along with creating and expanding one’s social network they can also receive abuse from other web 2.0 users called cyber bullying. While not physical this form of bullying could cause the victim of the abuse to feel insecure and could potentially lead to a tragic decision of action. Also it is now possible for a user to create a social image via online dating websites. While I believe you could find a happy relationship through dating online I believe the negatives vastly outweigh the positives as it’s possible for an underage teenager to join a dating website or possible for someone to steal someone else’s identity. Lastly, I believe that while there are advantages of online shopping, surely going shopping with a friend would be more rewarding than online shopping on River Island and having a “chat” on Facebook.  

"Is Web 2.0 Inclusive And Accessible To All?"

As part of my ongoing project part of my enquiry is look at inclusive teaching and learning in primary education. The usage of interactive learning web 2.0 tools in primary schools got me thinking whether, a child with a minor learning disability is secluded from the rest of their peers in a resource room because their learning development is slower than the average child and not wanting to expose the child is classified as inclusive teaching? This question and many others I have on web 2.0 is a topic I will be relating to throughout my project.   

                            

                

"How Much Influence Does Web 2.0 Have At Chickenshed Theatre Company? And On Primary Education?"

At Chickenshed Theatre Company they have started to promote upcoming events through use of web 2.0 tools such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter and encourage students to do the same.

At my local junior school where I am working as a teaching assistant I was amazed to find that in the resource room the amount of Apple iMacs available for children aged 8-11 years old. Part of the Key Stage 2 national curriculum is to introduce the children to a wider range of ICT tools, with many of these being web 2.0 learning interactive resources. 

Comparing the two working environments, it's evident of the influence web 2.0 has at Chickenshed Theatre Company is channelled towards advertisement, where as in education web 2.0 tools primary function is to help with the learning development  of the next generation of children. This is another question that I will be looking at in depth as part of my project.  

While I use some non-Web 2.0 websites for basic information, I generally use the internet browsing Web 2.0 websites for a greater depth of information and expanding my social network. In one of my previous posts (Log Six: Social Networking) I theorised about the notion that web 2.0 in the form of social networking could change how we interact with people thus potentially taking over the way we think we have to socially behave in different working environments. Having reviewed my own usage of Web 2.0 tools, I feel I could expand my network even more for professional reasons. Social media web 2.0 tools I have used to expand my network for professional and personal reasons are:

• Facebook
• Amazon
• Forums
• YouTube
• MySpace
• e-buddy
• Flickr
• Skype
• LinkedIn
• Blogger
• Windows Live Hotmail
• Windows Live Messenger
• Wikipedia

              "...living on the internet..." - The Social Network

Also I would recommend watching "The Social Network" which is a 2010 award winning film about the founding of Facebook. The concept is to introduce the idea of what it's like creating a web 2.0 website designed to create an "online social experience" and the struggles that come with it. I found the film changed my perception on Facebook and many other similar web 2.0 tools from general socialising with friends and expanding my current networks to questioning the privacy protection used on web 2.0 tools.

  

As a conclusion I feel the influence and power web 2.0 has in a workplace is potentially unlimited because everyday there are new methods of social interaction. Facebook is a prime example of this because in it's original form (Facemash) had 22,000 hits in two hours despite being created in a night by a drunken though admittedly intellectual teenager (Mark Zuckerberg) and thus when it expanded it became a global socially internet phenomenon. Thanks for reading.

Log Eight: Task 1C - Audio-Visual

My initial thoughts and aspirations for the BA Honours Professional Practice (Arts) course at Middlesex University. Thanks for reading and watching.

Log Seven: BAPP Smartphone Apps Guide

I have downloaded a few applications (apps) for my smartphone from the Android Market which I feel have been very useful and thought I would share them with everyone via this guide. I have added the official description of each app so you know what they can do. 

Hope this helps anyone with a smartphone who like me likes to work while on the move. Thanks for reading.

1. Middlesex Uni App

You'll also be able to find staff contacts, use the maps feature to get to our campuses, as well as browse projects and papers in the Research Repository. There are facebook and twitter feeds bringing you the latest news at Middlesex. You can search the entire library catalogue on your mobile. Just type the first couple of letters of words and see the search in action as you type. You can check whether the books you want are available and place reservations if they're on loan, as well as renewing the books you have already borrowed. Use the app to find a library computer at any of our campuses that is free for you to use. Our Ask a Librarian feature lets you send a question to our librarians about books, journals or any other library resources for your course and you can even check if your question has already been answered before.

Android Users:

 https://market.android.com/details?id=com.bredir.boopsie.mdx&feature=search_result

Apple Users:

Available via iTunes Store.

Blackberry Users: 

http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/50787?lang=en

Windows Phone:

Unavailable on operating system.

2. Blogger App

Start blogging on the go with the official Blogger app! Experience the official version of the Blogger app. Blogging on the go is made easy with the Blogger app. You can easily publish posts with pictures, labels and location information. Also, you can view the list of posts and if you have multiple accounts or blogs, you can easily switch between them.

Android Users:

 https://market.android.com/details?id=com.google.android.apps.blogger&feature=search_result

Apple Users:

Available Via iTunes Store. 

Blackberry Users:

Unavailable on operating system.

Windows Phone Users:

Unavailable on operating system.

3. Google Reader App

Follow all your favorite sites, blogs, and more, all in one place. See what your friends are sharing, and easily share any interesting articles you read. The Google Reader app syncs with the web version, so all your reading lists are always up to date.

Android Users:

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.google.android.apps.reader&feature=search_result

Apple Users:

Unavailable but similar apps are available via iTunes store.

Blackberry Users:

Unavailable but similar apps are available via Blackberry App World @

http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/search/Google%20reader?lang=en

Windows Phone Users:

Unavailable but similar apps are available via Windows Marketplace @

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-GB/search?q=google+reader

4. Flickr App

The best way to share your life in photos – now available on Android! Take beautiful photos with our in-app camera, enhance with filters, then share on Facebook, Twitter and more. Capture and enhance with one of our custom filters. High resolution photos that look good everywhere (on your PC, tablet or internet fridge). Upload straight to Flickr and share to your friends on Facebook, Twitter, via email and more. Stay up to date with latest comments and activity on your photos too. When you upload to Flickr you also get access to powerful online organizational tools, groups, fun photo apps, and a community of over 60 million members. That’s a whole lotta photo sharing unleashed in one app!

Android Users:

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.yahoo.mobile.client.android.flickr&feature=search_result

Apple Users:

Available via iTunes Store.

Blackberry Users:

Unavailable but similar apps are available via Blackberry App World @

http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/search/Flickr?lang=en

Windows Phone Users:

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-GB/apps/2e49fb07-592b-e011-854c-00237de2db9e

5. LinkedIn App

For Professionals Going Places

Get on-the-go access to your professional network with LinkedIn for Android. Find and connect with more than 120M members worldwide, read the latest industry news, keep up-to-date with your groups, and share content with your network from anywhere.

Android Users:

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.linkedin.android&feature=search_result

Apple Users:

Available via iTunes store.

Blackberry Users:

http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/7605?lang=en

Windows Phone Users:

Unavailable but similar apps are available via Windows Marketplace @

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-GB/search?q=linkedin




7. Google Docs App
Create, edit, upload and share your documents with the Google Docs app.

* Designed for Android to save you time finding your docs
* Edits to your documents appear to collaborators in seconds
* Make quick changes to spreadsheets
* View your documents, PDFs, presentations and more
* Upload and convert files to the Google Docs format
* Take a photo of printed text and convert it to a Google document
* Share docs with your device’s contacts

Android Users:

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.google.android.apps.docs&feature=search_result

Apple Users:

Unavailable but similar apps are available via iTunes store.


Blackberry Users:
Unavailable but similar apps are available via Blackberry App World @
http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/search/Google%20docs?lang=en


Windows Phone Users:
Unavailable but similar apps are available via Windows Marketplace @
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-GB/search?q=google+docs

Log Six: Social Networking

Whilst on Facebook Chat last night - Okay before I continue…I admit I was on there for too long, my friend sent me a link to Beyoncé’s incredible performance at The BillBoard Awards 2011 featuring her highly regarded “Run the World” song on YouTube. After watching it I asked him how much influence does YouTube have on his life and he replied it was the “source of all media content” and that’s it’s his second most visited website, with the first being none other than Facebook. I therefore asked another one of my friends who barely uses Facebook her views on social networking and she replied saying “it’s just another tool of taking over the world” and so an interesting conversation followed where we both raised interesting theories. Ironically, it made me think Beyoncé’s “Run the World” song even more because if you changed some of the lyrics we could have a song about how social networking “Run the world”. 

Also Charlie raises a very intriguing question in her post about Web 2.0 @ http://charliebidston.blogspot.com/2011/09/do-our-lifes-evolve-around-web-to-much.html 

Thanks for Reading.

Log Five: Blog Commenting & Design

Having read a lot of interesting comments on various blogs I am now starting to get engaged in commenting on everyone’s blogs. Having not had the time to create my own blog design, I wondered what everyone’s views are on my current design. Also I feel that in any profession I think it’s essential in making a method of communication accessible for everyone to clearly understand with confidence whilst also reflecting your professional personality and if my current blog design is not then please let me know. Thanks for Reading.

Log Four: Professional Enquiry (Part One) – How do Children Develop their self-confidence through Use of Their Imagination in an Inclusive Theatrical Environment?

One of the main reasons I have chosen Chickenshed Theatre Company as my placement for the BAPP course is because of their vast Children’s Theatre programme. I will be using my involvement with children in their upcoming Christmas production, Tales from the Shed rehearsals and performances and Children’s theatre sessions for the first part of my professional enquiry. Thanks for reading.

Log Three: Task 1D - 2D Images

Here is a set of 2D illustrations of my work at Chickenshed Theatre Company. I would be grateful if you let me know what you think of my work via comments. Thanks for reading.

                                             http://www.flickr.com/photos/lloyd1990 

Log Two: Task 1a - Professional Profile (First Draft)

I am currently studying BA Honours in Professional Practice (Arts) at Middlesex University. During my time at Chickenshed Theatre Company I have gained valuable experience of being patient and flexible when working with a diverse group of children, teenagers and young adults, adults and the elderly of different abilities in an inclusive manner, including medical, speech and communication, emotional, psychological and behavioural and some physical disabilities.

Having studied the Chickenshed Theatre Company’s philosophy in inclusive practice I am able to use my experience and education to engage my team members and perform in an inclusive manner by taking an open and professional approach to my work. My attitude towards work is of a positive nature as I have a willingness to learn and develop new skills by retaining a “can do” attitude. I have been involved in a number of projects with children in an educational and social setting. During these educational and social outreach projects I have taken on different roles of working with children such as; one to one support worker, group support leader, and session leader.

As well as my practical responsibilities during the workshops I have also planned the workshops adjusting them to meet every child’s needs and keeping our options open so that we can adapt effortlessly if need be. I believe my strengths are being able to work in a team in an inclusive and professional manner, multicultural sensitivity as I have wide range of friends of different ethnic backgrounds, and goal-setting so that I complete tasks within an allotted timeframe. My dream is to use my experience in an  inclusive educational and social environment and to continue my training to becoming an inclusive primary teacher.