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Thursday, 22 October 2015

Coming to the End of 'Part 1' - Task 1D

So I am coming to the end of Part 1 of Module 1 on my BAPP Course.  I must admit although I am feeling a lot more confident with my approach to this first module I am still anxious as to where I am heading.  I felt the ideas flooding in after our chat on Skype last week but unfortunately after a week of teaching I can't seem to get my train of thought back.  Something I am also finding hard is finding the right balance between work and study, I do understand that my work is my study in a way but its finding the way to combine the two I'm struggling with.  Not sure if that even makes sense but hopefully someone on the course can relate to me.

So far I have approached this module in a 'step by step' manner, completing each section as it comes and not reading ahead.  I am not sure if this really the best way to work but it seems to be working for me.  I actually completed task 1d without even knowing it.  In a previous blog I mentioned that I had set up a professional Instagram account, I didn't know it was a task as such at the time, but previous tasks had got me thinking about ways to get my professional self in the public eye.  I have decided to keep my Facebook account private and for mostly personal use. Where as I will use Instagram to advertise myself as a Dance Teacher.  In the future when I find my self more established as a freelance dance teacher I will then look into creating a Facebook Group to advertise my services. 



In case you missed it in my previous blog,
https://instagram.com/alexandriablakejacks15

Task 1c - Audio-Visual........ this scares me a little. I have never been good at public speaking and the thought of a video of me speaking about my self being out there on the web makes me very nervous.  I know I will need to over come this to be able to progress, I just feel this task might take me a little longer.  I think I will be able to complete this task at a higher standard once I have learnt a little more from this course.

I am really excited about my Instagram account, its possibilities are endless.  So far I have uploaded a few professional dance photos of myself, I have also uploaded a picture of my new NATD Membership card stating 'I will be offering their Contemporary Syllabus as from December 2015'.  I thought this would be a good way to advertise my new classes starting in the new year.  Most of my followers are students of mine so it is vital that I stay 100% professional with what I'm posting, but I'm finding it really handy to advertise new classes and myself as a dancer.  Although I am no longer dancing professionally I still think it is useful to have professional dance photos taken to show off your skill and encourage students to admire you.
I am also going to use my Instagram to document my journeys to any CPD Courses I attend and to dance festivals etc, making sure any students photographed have given parental consent for use of imagery.

Using 2D images to sell yourself is a way of life these days. This is because it has become so easy for anybody and everybody take photographs, edit, add dialogue, crop and do practically anything they want to them.  I remember as a child my friends and I would buy a disposable camera for special occasions and I'm sure I've got some undeveloped film reels in a box somewhere, who knows what's on them.  Now with all this advanced technology children as young as 4years old can snap a picture of anything on their IPad and it can be shared worldwide within seconds.  I am learning how I can use this way of life to my benefit and I look forward to sharing my journey with you all. 





4 comments:

  1. Your blog looks amazing I love the way you've designed it, and the fact you have photos in between text on your blogs too looks great! How did you do that?

    I think the use of your professional Instagram is a great way to network yourself and advertise your classes etc. I decided to use a Flickr account for the sake of my blog as I already have a personal Instagram account but I may consider doing a professional Instagram account too as I do think here are benefits to both ☺️ X

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  2. Thanks Alexandria very genuine reflection upon your work - the instagram makes sense - technology is here to say - like the phrasing "professional self' in your text - I am looking at the idea of these different personas we now have - perhaps even more with social media - so I will be following that notion in your blogs out of great interest.

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  3. Hi Alexandria! By the look of it, it seems that you are doing well with this module. Having dancing photos is important because that way people can relate to the person behind the IG account. Thanks, François

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  4. Hi everyone thank you for your comments, please accept my apologies for the delayed reply, time never seems to be on my side.
    @Victoria - Thank you I wasn't sure if my background was a bit much, I keep wanting to change it and then deciding not to. There is a button at the top of the page when writing a blog which allows you to upload pictures, once you have uploaded them you can change size etc. by clicking on the image. Yes I found the Instagram account started off really well but has now lost steam. How's your Flickr account going?
    @Paula - Thank you for your comment, yes technology is defiantly here to stay, I am leaning this more and more every day. I have two very distinctive personas online, thank you for yet again giving me another angle to look at it from.
    @Francois-Eloi - Thank you for support. Its good to know my peers think I'm on the right track as I often doubt myself. I look forward to reading your blog.

    Speak soon everyone
    Alex

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