Learning Methods.

I discovered this site today which I believe may be beneficial in the future. After reading the information on the site I already have new ideas to inspire and motivate my students and believe others may benefit from reading it.


http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/teachtip.htm#core

Vote on my poll please!

Warm ups benefit people in different ways. I have recently created a poll with constructive answers to discovered which warm up proves to be most popular. This is a subject I am keen to develop and in the near future learn more with the use of interviews and questionnaires.

LINKS OF INTEREST - thinking with Kolb's theory.

Performances With Expressed Emotion.
I have a passion for performances that combine Dance and Drama. Although a good performance generally should have a story behind the motivation of the dance I prefer to see this boldly to create a reaction and emotion from the audience it is being performed to.

Kolb closely links the phases watching and doing together and feeling and thinking together as they work hand in hand with each other and compliment the results. Out of these two I can see that although my feelings impact me from watching the videos, it is my sense of watching and doing that I have most impact from. The videos offer me influence in to my own choreography and teachings. It is here that I learn my mistakes and battle any obstacles that may occur during the doing process.


HALLOWEEN INSPIRATION!
This is the perfect example of putting mood and character in to performance. It has given me exceptional inspiration for Halloween events and future performances.

TASK C : My Experiences using Kolbs learning Theorys.

From my experience I can relate Kolbs styles and methods of learning through my class warm ups commencing my acting and dancing workshops. Kolbs ideas apply to everyday experiences which we can analyse and enhance by applying past experiences and knowledge from our own teachings( reflective observation). We subconsciously pass through new situations where we make use of our own education in past circumstances (concrete experience). By taking a moment to examine what is happening throughout the teaching of professional dance, can enable us to develop and improve our techniques and methods in applying our work (abstract conceptualization and active experimentation).

Dance Warm-ups.
Concrete Experience.

When preparing a class warm up I take into consideration health and safety concerns. I have a sound knowledge of this in dance and a full understanding of the severe outcome if it is not taken seriously. Many of my own experiences in training and injuries due to insufficient warm ups at stage school and auditions have taught me to prioritise to avoid bad results. Whilst at stage school I suffered with a knee injury due to a lack of warming and stretching the muscles so I have a deeper physical understanding of the importance of a thorough warm up. By attending different dance classes I have learnt a number of unique exercises to limber each limb and muscle of the body.
These past events can be viewed as concrete experiences because they hold no emotion and they have actually happened in my past. They will contribute towards my active experimentation because they hold techniques I can apply to future references. With this understanding I approach the stage of Kolbs theory of Reflective Observation.


Reflective Observation.


In past experiences when reviewing and assessing warm ups I discovered that I suffered injury when I proceeded with a halfhearted warm up . I found that bouncing movements to stretch can force too much pressure on the muscles. This can lead to injury and therefore the stretch should be held and worked from the head down to the toe. In past classes I discovered that where a warm up was absent so was my motivation. Therefore I was disappointed with myself for not reaching my full potential in the session.
When the warm ups were structured in a set routine with certain pieces of music set to them, it excelled my performance and made the lesson more enjoyable.




Abstract Conceptualisation.


From the Reflective Observation I discovered that certain changes in my past warm ups can enhance my students progress and benefit their learning.
When reviewing and assessing past warm ups I discovered that starting with slow and gentle stretching exercises will prevent any muscle tear or injury and warming the body will cause the muscles to become more agile creating a safe manner of exercise.
If I set several pieces of music to the warm up with a routine that the students will eventually become familiar with, they will not only adopt a safe way to prepare for performances but also develop a sense of performance. I am currently constructing a questionnaire to support my idea that warm up requiring performance enhances the students work and is more enjoyable. Doing this I can conduct a warm up that is more suited towards my students interests.
From this I have displayed how past experiences can contribute to my teachings today and how, through constructive criticism, I can set exercises that will benefit the class.

Active Experimentation.

From all the stages of kolbs theory I have learnt how to compose a range of exercises and beneficial stretches. I put these in to practice at the beginning of each dance workshop and although I have learnt via my own experiences I am still learning new techniques and methods each day to enhance my teaching. I start at the head doing sustained neck stretches through to strengthening the ankles. My usual warm up regime is as follows:

Basic Warm Up Schedule.

• Basic Isolations- warming and stretching the neck, shoulders, ribs, hips, legs and ankles.


• Arm co-ordination routine- warming the arms muscles and arm joints.


• Leg stretch combination- stretches all the muscles in the leg.


• Sitting in Straddle position- Hanging over the leg and holding the body over centre, strengthening the hips.


• Stomach Exercises- lying on the back, lifting the legs and chest to form a "V" position. Lying on back, lift to sit at 90 degrees with a straight back. lower body over legs, resume back to straight back and lower back back to lying. A wide range of sit ups. All stomach exercises strengthen back and stomach muscles improving basic posture.


• Plank- with body weight being lifted and sustained off the ground by support from the feet and lower arm. Tones body all over and develops core strength.


• Press ups.


• Side stretches- whilst standing, stand astride with the hands behind the head and lower body from side to side at a range of speeds and motions. Develops strength down the side of the body and helps enhance the abdominal muscles.

My set warm ups change and are varied from session to session depending on the capability and performance standard.
This has taught me to instruct a thorough warm up lasting around twenty minutes, long enough to warm the entire body but not to exceed the class time to learn new techniques.

The following website has helped me design my workshop warm ups and given me ideas towards other techniques and routines for my classes.

http://dance.about.com/od/stepsandmoves/qt/Self_Warm_Up.htm

Kolb's Theory!

As I was unable to attend the last lecture on 13.10.09, I have researched David Kolb's Theories and methods of learning to form a greater understanding of the course and discover what the work required of me.

David Kolb published his learning styles model in 1984. The model gave rise to two related terms in particular:

• Kolbs Experimental Learning Theory's (ELT)
  




• Kolbs Learning Styles Inventory (LSI)

He discovered fundamental concepts towards understanding human learning behaviour and towards helping others learn. From this stemmed the:

Four Stage Learning Cycle
(training cycle)

1. Immediate or concrete experiences



2. Observations and reflections



3. Abstract concepts



4. Actively tested
   
   In more depths Kolb formed:

Stage 1: Concrete experience (Doing, having the experience)We learnt that this is a fact that has happened, with no emotional attachment.


Stage 2: Reflective observation (Reviewing, reflecting on the experience)This is what we have seen, witnessed, experienced...


Stage 3: Abstract conceptualisation (Concluding, learning from the experience)This is what you have learnt from the experience.


Stage 4: Active experimentation (Planning, trying out what you have learnt)Putting into practice what we have learnt.

There are four words to describe this learning cycle: Experiencing, Reflecting, Thinking and Acting.

Kolb believed that different people prefered a certain single learning style. He believed that our style of teaching developed from three different stages throughout our maturing:

1. Acquisition- Birth to adolescence

2. Specialization- Schooling, early work and personal experiences of adult hood.

3.Integration- mid-career to later life.

Whatever influences the choice of styles the product can be displayed by two separate 'choices'
that we make:

Concrete Experience- CE (feeling)----V---- Abstract Conceptualization- AC (thinking)

Active Experimentation - AE (doing)----V---- Reflective Observation- RO (watching)

This can also be clearly demonstrated via Kolbs learning style diagram.

In our learning journals/ diary's the following instructions must be considered when entering accounts:

-Honest
-Cue Memory
-Enjoyable
-Evaluate
-Descriptive
-Reflective
-Focus, notice re-occurrences
-Develop action
-Give evidence to back up thoughts

If the diary does not contain these elements, then it is worthless as it cannot be used in the future, or be reflected on, and experiences will not be able to be drawn upon.

LINKS OF INTEREST!

Gym and Exercise.

Since I discovered I wanted to develop a career in performance at the age of sixteen I attended a gym to tone my muscles and develop my strength. It is vitally important to maintain a healthy exercise regime, especially for dancing, to support stamina, flexibility and to avoid any injury.

The first gym I attended was Alan Higgs and Excel where I attended sessions as a guest two times a week for hourly sessions in the gymnasium. After being shown how to use all the equipment correctly I structured a work out program which benefited me as an individual and followed this program each time I returned. At this stage I found it very hard to sustain stamina on the treadmill therefore spent most of my time on the cross trainer.

When I moved to London two years later I began using a YMCA Gym which we were free to access as often as we pleased. I found that when I started a more intense dance training course my gym regime also became more intense. At this gym I would use the treadmill for 20 minutes, cross trainer for 20minutes, the rower for 10minutes and many other machines which worked on toning and building the muscles, mainly the ones that worked on the abdominals to develop core strength. This routine I maintained for the three years I was at stage school for and then continued with this work out when I returned home.

I am now a member at Brandon Hall fitness centre. This gym, unlike the others I have attended, is relatively quite and employers treats their customers almost like friends with a more personal relationship. There is a personal trainer who designs the best fitness regime for me to suit my particular needs. They put extra effort in to reach your needs by suggesting what exercise should be done in the pool and helpful advice towards your diet to blend with your lifestyle.

With out this source of exercise I do not believe that I would have the motivation I do from day to day towards the active career I have chosen. I feel that it is important to keep exercise in your life because the work out causes the body to realise happy endorphins which keep you optimistic and prolong your livelihood.

This is a major interest and hobby of mine which I will pursue until I am no longer fit to. I feel that if you sustain your stamina and fitness you stay young. I also strongly stand by the belief, 'healthy body, healthy mind'.

Useful links to the gyms I have made use of:

http://www.visitcoventryandwarwickshire.co.uk/thedms.asp?dms=13¶m1=see&GroupId=4&venue=2711324

http://www.ymcaclub.co.uk/

LINKS OF INTEREST!

ACTORS CENTRE.

This organisation holds acting workshops for performers striving for a career in acting. Based in Covent Garden it is central to the performance industry and offers brilliant advice and feedback for those wanting to expand their knowledge and technique in acting.There is generally a maximum of twelve members enrolled on each workshop as well as a wide range of classes offering one-to-one tuition.

"The Actors Centre runs approximately 1700 classes and workshops a year, and,
thanks to the generosity of our funders, they are great value for money."

I have always found this establishment a marvelous resource. Not only does it teach me new methods of acting but acts a confidence booster. This is achieved by receiving constructive criticism about my performances whilst introducing me to other performers who share the same interest and passion to act.
It helps with audition technique and prepares you for future auditions allowing you to talk and interact with new people each session as you would when entering an audition.

The Actors Centre holds classes for all abilities, whether your a new beginner to acting or whether you currently work with in the industry. They also run classes for specific areas of acting like TV Presenting, theatre or film workshops. This can not only advantage your performance standard but also introduce you to new passions in different areas you never knew you had. For me it introduced me to new ideas of directing which was also influenced by Tim Burton's films and his creative directing in films. I was able to act upon my passion to direct at the Actor Centre when we worked on devised pieces of acting. With this experience it motivated me to become more involved in other areas of performance production.

The centre supplies information on talent searches, job openings, acting reviews and courses that may be beneficial towards a career in acting and how to apply and attend the different events.

I will always continue to attend classes here as I feel it has majorly benefitted my performance level and given me a broad knowledge of skills, methods and techniques to apply to my own teachings.