4c - Questions to colleague within the arts and local parents

I have decided to email out to 3 of my colleagues who work with me the following set of questions -


1. How do you feel discipline has changed since you were a child?

2. Do you think experience is just as valuable as qualifications?

3. Should having dance/drama qualifications mean you should be able to transfer them to any dance/drama board?

4. Should acting experience give you the opportunity to teach LAMDA or Trinity performance exams?

5. Should private dance/drama schools have an ofsted type inspection?

6. How do you feel about mixed level classes ie Grade 3 & 4 or bronze/silver together etc? Do you feel students can still progress?

7. How valuable do you feel 'The Arts' are in an education setting?

8. Do you feel parents/students appreciate all that is involved in running dance/drama classes?

9. Should exams in dance/drama be compulsory or optional. Do students work as hard without a goal?

10. How valuable are the arts to under achieving students?

I will await their responses and blog about those later.

I have also asked my line manager her opinion of The Arts in education -
This was her response:

"An education in the arts on its most basic level, gives a knowledge & understanding into the historical journey of auditory and visual creative beauty, genius and talent. 'A life appreciation' ...such an education has the power to open minds into creative thinking across all fields in education ... To inspire the development of inspirational leaders & artists to achieve the previously unthinkable & untouchable.

An arts education is the life force of learning - without it an education would be static and my rote!"

I have also asked an ex student the same question regarding the arts in education -
Her response:

"The arts had been incredibly important in my education. The arts have allowed me to explore talents and areas of growth that are unaccessible with other academic subjects. The arts have given me the freedom to follow a career path less widely chosen and the support whilst following this dream."


So far from verbal conversations I have had I feel  "The Arts" are well supported and valued however I am concious that I have only asked people who are associated with the arts.

I decided to post on a facebook group for local mums and see what their feedback was for arts in education for their primary school aged children - 


1st response - 
"I think the arts encompasses every subject which allows freedom of self expression ie. Art & design, drama, music, dance etc and I believe these are as crucial to a child's education as maths and English. Children need to be given the opportunity to learn about themselves and the world around them and how to express themselves creatively"

2nd response - 
"Totally agree with xxxxx* answer. Also if a child isn't particularly academic, giving them an opportunity to excel in the arts can have unlimited benefits, not only educationally but with self esteem too"

I was interested to see the 2 mums in question didn't see dance/music/drama as just subject that helped them during those lessons - but that they were transferable skills for life.

4a - Question relevant to my practice

So my initial questions that sprung to mind after going through Reader 4 were the following:

How has teaching changed in the last 20 years?

How has children's discipline changed or the way in which a class is managed?

What are the important skills a teacher must have and use?

Should you be able to teach with experience or should it be compulsory to have the correct level of qualifications?

Should someone who teaches for a  dance (ISTD/RAD) or drama (LAMDA/Trinity) board be able to teach GCSE/A Level dance or drama?

Should exams in extra curricular dance/drama be compulsory? Does it help their progression to work towards a goal?

How to deal with a student who fails an exam or doesn't get a high result?

Should students always work towards performances? Does this help with their personal expression?

Any opinions??

4b - SIG on google

I have now created my SIG on google - feel free to join as I would love to read your views and opinions:

https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!forum/sig---the-arts-in-education

4b - BAPP SIG on Facebook

If anyone would like to comment in my SIG on Facebook the link is here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1682626381972917/?fref=ts

This SIG includes teachers and parents with arts and non arts backgrounds to get a mix of views from my questions and discussions on The Arts - how they have changed, what is important and how valuable they are.

Blogging

I have had a productive few hours of reading current and older blogs - gaining wisdom and a feel of Module 2 from others! I think this module is going to be an organic development throughout the next few weeks. I really like the idea of making sure you final choice for a line of enquiry is something that interests you and not a series of questions you happen to jot down. Keep blogging :)

My first group skype call

I've just finished my first group skype call with the others from all 3 Modules of BAPP. I'm so glad I made the call after racing home from teaching my last class. I was never available during my Mod 1 to join in the calls but will be attampting to make the ones during Mod 2.
It really gave me an insight into how others are thinking and what they are currently working on. I think it really helped to hear from others at different points...some just starting out (feeling as I did) and some already doing their enquiry. It helped to understand why they chose the topic and why other Mod 2's are looking at topics close to their line of work.
One main part that hit home is how ALL the modules are so closely linked. I came into Mod 2 with a clean slate not really thinking about what I submitted last May....however the call has made me realise I need to look back over my notes, blogs, tasks and submitted work before adding the next piece to the jigsaw. I really feel before making any decisions on lines of enquiries I need to refresh my prior learning and research before moving forwards.
If anyone is wondering if the Skype group calls are worth it then the answer is 'yes'!! They are a great insight into how others are working and what their thoughts and opinions are.
I look forward to the next one :)

Module 2

First week into Module 2 and I feel like at did at the start of Mod 1......"argh i'm not sure what it's all about"!!! Looking forward to getting back into the swing of blogging and reading what others are working on....Lets see what the next 12 weeks bring :)