10th Feb Skype Call- Module One Focus
This was the first group skype call that I had been a part of since the "introductory" call and therefore I was unsure what to expect. I didn't know if we would be just be finding out information or discussing thoughts on what we had been researching.
After beginning the call by introducing ourselves and what we believe our practice is, Adesola gave us some discussion points to start talking about. One point arose that I found really interesting. This was about Ethics and how these have an impact on our work and our lives. Now initially I had no idea what Ethics really meant- you hear people using the word "Ethical" in day to day life, but would they be able to define it if you asked them? Therefore I looked up the dictionary definition of the word Ethics and this is what I found-
In short, Ethics are how we reflect upon something that has happened. Our reflection on an experience.
We discussed how these Ethics can affect our work. Perhaps you experienced something when training that you believed was wrong and therefore now as a teacher you ensure that the same thing doesn't happen to your students? Should we be making assumptions for what is right and wrong? After all, the training that you received has made you into the individual you are today! Perhaps you learnt more from it than you realised. I have learnt that Ethics can be assumptions and therefore I am going to look at my practice from a different perspective and see what that brings.
Another topic we discussed was about specifically about teaching. An interesting question arose- 'Can you be a good teacher if you weren't a good dancer? and Vice versa!" In the Arts we are swamped with teachers! Some who are trained and belong to specific teacher qualification bodies and others who are trained performers who teach in between jobs.
Now there is nothing to say that just because a teacher is qualified, they'll be a better teacher than someone who has more performing experience. However they may not understand or communicate the important safety aspects of dance to students. As a teacher you have a duty to keep your students safe. A student in the Arts is vulnerable. They come to class and leap out of their comfort zones and therefore it is our duty to protect them in that moment. However, its not just qualifications you need to be able to teach- we need our skills from life! These are known as transferrable skills. When looking into what makes a great teacher, 5 points came up. A teacher must be:
I really enjoyed this chat and look forward to the next one.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/ethic
https://dancestudioinsurance.com/five-qualities-extraordinary-dance-teacher
After beginning the call by introducing ourselves and what we believe our practice is, Adesola gave us some discussion points to start talking about. One point arose that I found really interesting. This was about Ethics and how these have an impact on our work and our lives. Now initially I had no idea what Ethics really meant- you hear people using the word "Ethical" in day to day life, but would they be able to define it if you asked them? Therefore I looked up the dictionary definition of the word Ethics and this is what I found-
"ethics;
"a complex of moral precepts held or rules of conduct followed by an individual"
In short, Ethics are how we reflect upon something that has happened. Our reflection on an experience.
We discussed how these Ethics can affect our work. Perhaps you experienced something when training that you believed was wrong and therefore now as a teacher you ensure that the same thing doesn't happen to your students? Should we be making assumptions for what is right and wrong? After all, the training that you received has made you into the individual you are today! Perhaps you learnt more from it than you realised. I have learnt that Ethics can be assumptions and therefore I am going to look at my practice from a different perspective and see what that brings.
Another topic we discussed was about specifically about teaching. An interesting question arose- 'Can you be a good teacher if you weren't a good dancer? and Vice versa!" In the Arts we are swamped with teachers! Some who are trained and belong to specific teacher qualification bodies and others who are trained performers who teach in between jobs.
Now there is nothing to say that just because a teacher is qualified, they'll be a better teacher than someone who has more performing experience. However they may not understand or communicate the important safety aspects of dance to students. As a teacher you have a duty to keep your students safe. A student in the Arts is vulnerable. They come to class and leap out of their comfort zones and therefore it is our duty to protect them in that moment. However, its not just qualifications you need to be able to teach- we need our skills from life! These are known as transferrable skills. When looking into what makes a great teacher, 5 points came up. A teacher must be:
- Passionate
- Patient
- Professional
- Qualified
- Reputable
You cant teach half of these things! They are something that you learn in your day to day life that you have transferred into your work. I am going to look into what skills I have taken from my training, my past work etc that I have now taken them onboard in my practice or if I have let go of them.
I really enjoyed this chat and look forward to the next one.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/ethic
https://dancestudioinsurance.com/five-qualities-extraordinary-dance-teacher
Hi Emma,
ReplyDeleteThe part of your blog about Ethics and what we teach at dance class really got my brain ticking. Certain things happened to me, throughout my training, that, in my opinion, should not happen to anyone else because I have deemed them distressing or not useful. However, your statement 'Perhaps you learnt more from it than you realised' made me realise that maybe some of these things taught me more/made me realise something else that contributed to my practice in a more profound way than I had ever thought. This is definitely something that I am going to reflect on further and investigate.
Thank you for your post!
Paul
Hi Emma,
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely to meet you yesterday.
As I was not able to attend this Skype session I have enjoyed reading this post to understand the topics covered. It will be interesting for you to look back at this post following our discussion yesterday in the campus session. Speaking about ethics as an approach, asking questions, challenging our own perspectives, and not finding a definitive answer, tie in nicely to the things you have discussed above.
Best wishes
Lauren
Hi Lauren,
DeleteYes it was so nice to meet you on Monday too! I completely agree! I now understand that I should be questioning myself more rather than searching for the answer, which definitely has given me a new outlook on it all.
I look forward to reading your posts and hopefully your feeling more confident with the course now.
Emma
Hi Emma,
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting post. I love that you have spoken about the skills teachers need but how they are skills that can't be taught. I believe that teachers are in vulnerable positions when it comes to ethics. A lot is expected of us, especially when we are working with children. I have definitely seen things in the past where I have questioned if it was morally acceptable, but from those experiences I now make sure I don't do the same. As well as having the moral code of the school or organisation, I have my own set of morals that I follow. Whether this makes my life easier or harder...I guess it depends on the day!
Thank you!
Alys