Task 3c: Sources of Information

I strongly believe that it is vital in the teaching profession to regularly research and use sources of information to keep our knowledge both current and relevant in our roles. We need do this in order to develop as professionals ourselves, as keeping up to date with the world around us ensures our teaching meets our environment (especially with the new developments in technology within schools and the government’s implemented changes in Education in the recent years).

However, it is not just our own professional development that benefits from sources of information. It is vital to broaden the horizons and thinking of the young people in front of us every day. In teaching, I have often experienced how students will ask questions that don’t seem to necessarily relate to the work they are completing, but in fact the answers to those questions will expand their cultural knowledge; this is one of the most fundamental aspects of teaching – learning about the world. They are not just being educated to learn about the subjects they are studying, but it is a teacher’s job to increase their awareness of the world around them. As a result, I take this very seriously.

I have the following sources of information that I use in order to keep up to date with changes in education and performing arts:

Internet

The Internet is a wonderful source of information as you can find vast amounts of information with very little effort. Because it is such quick technology to use, it enables me to find current and relevant information. I use Google within my work practices to search for many things: lesson ideas, starter games, interactive games, resources and current news. Although I sometimes question the reliability of the information I read, I tend to use my judgment in these cases, much like the theories I have explored in relation to Connectivism.

YouTube is also a good source of information for me as a practitioner. I have always tried to find alternative ways of explaining a concept that students find difficult to grasp. Since my studies on the BAPP, I am even more aware that all students learn differently. Playing a video from YouTube can help students to learn. I also encourage students to share the informative videos they have found helpful or interesting themselves, because it may help other students in the class.

TED is one of my most valued sources of information. The sheer variety of topics allows me not only to find challenging and stimulating video associated with performing arts in Education and the Education system itself (Ken Robinson’s videos in particular), but videos about performing arts. These videos are not always recent and current, but I always find they are extremely thought-provoking and even inspiring. I think it is important in the arts and education to challenge both existing views created by society and our own opinions on things that we find important; these short videos certainly do that.

New Websites/programmes

For me, watching the BBC news daily is central to my morning routine. I strongly believe that it is important to keep full up-to-date with what is happening across the globe. Without understanding important topical issues, I let myself become absorbed into my own ‘bubble’. As I have mentioned, it is important for students to see me as a role model and to truly become well educated you must involve yourself with the world around you.

I have the BBC app on my phone and I believe this is a wonderful source of information. I particularly like the My News section because this allows me see the most up to date news about the topics I am interested in quickly and easily. With just one swipe, it can be updated in seconds - I love the accessibility and current information this app offers. My topics include: In Pictures, Education & Family, Schools, Theater, Art and Entertainment & Arts.

More generally I use The Day for news updates. This is set up for schools and the information is simple and informative. I use this for starter activities sometimes for the students. The Guardian online is another great source of information. I really like the variety of topic they cover. Additionally, they often include links to networks and blogs relating to the topic of the stories – so this ties in with networking purposes also.

The sites, which are more specific to my teaching and performing arts, include The Stage online and TES. I like using The Stage because it is so specific to performing arts and, although I am not working in this industry, I still like to keep updated because I am passionate about it. I feel like I am forever mentioning the TES but, for me, this is my biggest source of teaching information. It offers resources, job adverts, current educational news and relevant networks. This really is a fantastic resource for any teacher or aspiring teacher because it offer such a large range of services and information.

People

As technology is such a large part of our everyday lives, we sometimes forget that the people around us can be our biggest sources of information. In a work context, only my colleagues can truly understand some of the problems I am having in the work place because they are part of the institution, therefore they know the systems and policies of the Academy. For example, if I have a question about marking a book, I can find a more experienced practitioner to help me in school. We have a strict marking policy in the school, so a teacher from another school would not be able to help me with this.

As a result of my research into Communities of Practice, I now understand that all of my previous communities cannot be discounted as important sources of information. In terms of my education, my past dance schoolteachers and peers and my LSC peers and tutors provide me with answers to some of my questions in my current studies and work place. For example, when completing task 1a, I contacted one of my LSC peers to ensure my CV was up-to-date and in the correct format. Furthermore, I visit my past dance teacher regularly and try to pick up some teaching strategies for practical subjects.

Family is an important source of information, because they help me with my questions and problems in my work place in addition to offering me emotional support on a personal level. Both my parents work in education and are experienced practitioners, if I have any questions from classroom management strategies to starter activities they will help me resolve these. Ultimately, my family are the people that support me in everything I do and see me everyday, so they, in an unexpected way, contribute to my professional development. This also shows how my Communities of Practice cross over and interlink to make up sources of information to increase my knowledge.

Most recently I have found a fantastic source of information in my BAPP arts peers and tutors. Through the blogs, I can find information that is relevant and helpful for me in my studies and inform my practices. I have found many post of others on the course have provided me with initial ideas that then develop my own thinking. I believe that without this tool, I would not be able to expand my knowledge and become a developed practitioner.

Television

In addition to watching the news, I like to watch documentaries on education. Although, sometimes I don’t agree with the messages that some of these shows are portraying; I think it is incredibly brave of any teacher to allow filming in their classrooms, as this leaved them so open to public criticism on a national scale. I learn from these documentaries because it helps broaden my horizons of educating students from different economic backgrounds. Two examples of this are, Educating Yorkshire and Harrow: A Very British School. I believe that it is important to broaden my own perception of education to ensure I do not become narrow minded – thinking only of my school and the impact of its socioeconomic background.

Literature

I use literature in online articles, websites and journals to inform my learning and my studies. I am enjoying discovering new theories presented in the BAPP Readers, so I have started to incorporate these ideas into my practices. I also take these initial ideas and research contrasting theories by using Summon and other online books and articles. Additionally, I use the literature and research I have explored in my past studies at LSC as a source of information to add to the Reader literature and my own research.

Use and Organisation of Information - IMPROVEMENTS

I feel that I am very good at finding and using sources of information, yet I do not think I organise this information very well at all. From looking at other BAPP student’s blogs, they have addressed this issue by either using a notebook or keeping an electronic journal of sources. I am still considering whether to make my sources part of my current reflective journal or whether to start a new Sources of Information Log. I do know that organisation of sources is a key area that I need to improve in order to apply what I know in my work practices.

I am beginning to use literature to inform my practices at work, which I did not do before studying the BAPP. I feel this is something that I need to do more in order to improve my professional practices. I am going to blog sources of interest on my BAPP blog to encourage me to be proactive in collating more literary sources of information.

Reference List
BBC (2015) BBC News [Internet] Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news [Accessed on 17 April 2015]

The Day (2015) The Day: Current Affairs for Schools [Internet] Available from: http://theday.co.uk/ [Accessed on 15 April 2015]

Educating Yorkshire (2013) Episodes 1 to 8. David Brindley & Grace Reynolds. UK: Channel 4, September 2013 [Television series]

The Guardian (2015) Latest news, sport and comment from The Guardian [Internet] Available from: http://www.theguardian.com/uk [Accessed on 16 April 2015]

Harrow: A Very British School (2013) Season 1, Episodes 1-8 UK: Sky, 4 September 2013 [Television series]

The Stage (2015) The Stage [Internet] Available from: https://www.thestage.co.uk/ [Accessed on 14 April 2015]

TED (2015) TED: Ideas worth spreading [Internet] Available from: https://www.ted.com/ [Accessed on 14 April 2015]

TES (2015) TES connect [Internet] Available from: https://www.tes.co.uk/ [Accessed on 17 April 2015]

YouTube (2015) YouTube [Internet] Available from: https://www.youtube.com/ [Accessed on 16 April 2015]