EF MAPP Journey

 After an arrival of a puppy, a birthday and 3 weeks of the flu ... I'm back to it! In this time, although I've been MIA from here, there has been lots going on in the background. I've managed to finish the critical review part of module 3, which I have found to be the 'easiest' part (I say easy, it's still be incredibly difficult!).  Onto the professional artefact ... I'm not the worlds most creative person when it comes to physically creating something (other than an exam or show dance!). So I've found it hard to create something that shows the process I've been on for the last 10 weeks. It took me a very long time to figure out what I actually wanted to do and then how I would show a process, I knew that with my topic the idea of a choreography just wouldn't be right, so I've put pen to paper (literally), and have begun to create a book that captures my journey. It's not the neatest of things but I feel like this is very representative...

 So this week marks half way through my final masters term! And although it feels like I've been in a dissertation hole forever, it's actually quite reassuring knowing that it's only 5 weeks prior to today. I've made a lot of progress particularly in the last three weeks. My survey was opened, answered by many, and then closed, analysis of this then started last week and now it's onto making this into an actual essay rather than just numbers and words.  I've found things I hadn't thought of (always a good thing) but also discovered things that I use and did already know.  Still baffled by the idea of a professional artefact, but hoping it'll just fall into place! I hope everyone else is still have a good term :) Ellie x 

So having been stressing about sending out my surveys for the past week (yes I am the Queen of anxiety and procrastination!!). I finally plucked up the courage to send them out today. The response has been incredibly overwhelming and it's made me super excited to analyse their responses and see if it fits in with where I stand on using supplementary training. I also can't wait to see if there are any new ideas surrounding this topic that I can try out in my own lessons.  I feel like my MAPP journey so far hasn't been the easiest and there have been lots of bumps in the road. But I finally feel like it's all coming together.  I hope everyone's term is going well so far! Ellie x

As the term is already (!!!) just over 1 week in, I feel like this is a good time to reflect on module two (the stress that that was), and the impending stresses of module three.  It's safe to say that me and module two weren't the best of friends and I really struggled to put pen to paper and come up with a proposal for module three. Two MORE forms, and a redesigned proposal later and we finally got to a place, that, I think, I'm happy with. My module three focus has shifted to a new perspective, where I am now looking at how other teachers view supplementary training in regards to what they think this means in relation to the RAD Intermediate Ballet syllabus. Rather than using my own students as 'test subjects' as to whether the incorporation of supplementary training 'works'. After a week of extra research surrounding the topic of supplementary training I am keen to see what other teachers think supplementary training involves and how and if they use it w...

The last few weeks have been filled with project planning, which has been scary, yet super exciting! I'm already looking forward to beginning this research in September. I've felt very overwhelmed this term, even with forward planning at the beginning of the year, I'm hoping that all that stress will pay off. With only just over two weeks left of term, it's all systems go to make sure everything is ready for hand in! It's been a busy few weeks, MA studies aside. I went back to teach in the studio last week and my heart is full (but very tired!). It's great to feel like I can actually do my job properly and see all the students I teach. I feel like my MA studies are actually coming into my lessons more now we're back, I'm definitely more reflective and I feel like my lessons and the students learning are more successful from this. I'm hoping I've said goodbye to Zoom forever and for that I am extremely happy. 

 So over the past couple of weeks I've been in an ethics rabbit hole ... I feel like it took me a long time to get my head around all of the different sections and making sure I had everything filled in. But it's done (i think!!). Wishing luck to my fellow Module Twos if you haven't started yet, my motto has definitely been little and often!  Now onto my project plan, I think from doing my ethics form first I have a bit more of an idea of what my project actually is and how I can (hopefully) reach my hypothesis. But, I'm still stuck on being philosophical, after a tutorial with Angela 2 weeks ago I realised I'm being more philosophical than I thought I was being, but it still makes absolutely no sense to me!!  Onwards and upwards.  Hope ebvryone is having a productive yet restful Easter Break :)