MA Dance Pedagogy

Just a little one whilst I'm trying to work on my Portfolio.... Professional Networks. I've interpreted them to anyone who can help me continue my development as a professional dance and fitness teacher. Who have you all considered to be in your professional networks and communities of practice? I did a quick mind map of who came to mind straight away when I first thought of them. So on this list I've got the usual friends and teachers from college but I've also added a friend who runs her own business as she helps me indefinitely with the real business side of things and helps me choose a target market to aim for. I also added my Yoga instructor. Might seem an odd choice but not only does she promote my classes during her class, she has helped me work out all sorts of aches and pains that all dancers get some time or another. I think me taking the time to care for my body will mean I'll be able to dance for longer hopefully. So in this sense would you agree...

I was just reading reader 2 and the section on Kottcamp's idea of on-line and off-line engagement. I like the idea of reflection in action. I use it during my workout classes; if my class are over exerting themselves I will perform a speech test (usually means I get them to whoop) and if they can't, I immediately know I have to make the next song a lot slower to give them a chance to get their breath back. Also it's the same for if I noticed they were finding the class too easy and weren't sweating I would make the next few songs killer! But essentially it's about recognising the needs of my class and acting on that and adapting immediately, rather than going home and thinking 'maybe that class was too easy/hard? ' because ultimately by then I may have lost a client due to them not enjoying my class. After this section the reader asks for a few ideas I like and to do a bit of critical thinking on them. I may not be at my most critical at this time but I...