The Beginnings of Module 3
On Friday we had our 'Welcome Back Skypes' with all three Modules. I cannot believe I am now in Module 3, time seems to have gone so fast yet so slow. It was lovely to see some familiar faces during the call and also seeing all of the new Module one's. Gosh, there were so many of you!!
In the call we had the usual tour round UniHub (a phenomena in its own right) and we had a lovely introduction to some people in the Creative Arts courses at Middlesex, which was new.
I remember module one and even module two, of feeling completely overwhelmed and confused so it was lovely as a module 3 student to be able to offer some insight and suggestions, which I wish I had been given when starting these modules although I still have these feeling starting Module 3.
1. Read, re-read and take notes throughout the handbook. Google those long, confusing and unheard words. Accept that you do not know everything, that you might still not know everything after completing that module but that it is part of the process.
2. Join the Facebook group (something I only realised during Module 2) - 'BA PP Community Facebook'
3. Look at other peoples blog post from previous years and engage with each other's blog post. This course is about connectivism and networking, amongst many other things.
4. Use the tutors office hours (seen on UniHub) to call for a quick 5 minute chat. I found this really beneficial especially when you find yourself in the information hole of google clicking, reading, watching and writing things down that you end a million miles away from where you began a couple of hours ago.
5. Everything is relevant. There is no right or wrong. Try not to get frustrated when you do not get a "Yes, that is correct" or "No, that is not correct." It takes time, but the sooner you realise it the less time you spend wasting looking for the 'correct' way. The tutors will guide you if you are not heading in the right way but will not tell you they are doing so....its all a little cryptic...but is it higher education.
6. Try not to think of your 'practice' as any one thing. Explore and acknowledge that is it many things. Try not to get caught up in the word but more about the being of it...gosh I'm starting to sound like our tutors haha!
Anyhow, I am always here for any advice, guidance or an ear to listen to any thoughts or concerns.
Paul x
Hi Paul, Good to see you again on the call. It was weird because on this Skype I felt a lot calmer than I did on module 1 call in September, don’t get me wrong im totally apprehensive about the term ahead but it doesn’t feel like such a mountain to climb this time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your tips while on the call. Your enquiry sounds really insightful and I hope you get to where you want to be with it and find something really useful for your future with your BA you will achieve.
X
Hi Clare, it was lovely seeing you in the call also! I completely agree, I am not usually a fan of speaking in big groups but somehow over the last two modules I have got better at it...maybe due to the fact that most things are now through some sort of video conferencing platform. I have made a start at reading some books that are part of my inquiry and again, like Module 1 and 2, I am already feeling slightly lost and out of my depth. I am hoping that it will all start to fall into place, like it did in the other modules. I can't wait to read you blogs and see your journey during Module 2! Speak soon, Paul x
DeleteGreat advice! Could not have put it better myself!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Serina, it was so daunting not having you guys there this time but we are all a team and will help each other through! Paul x
DeleteHey Paul! Thanks for all your advice! I am definitely calmer going into module 2 than I was module 1 although the handbooks really are cryptic sometimes. I'm also getting used to the whole "no right answer" thing which is not a concept that sits well with me. Good luck with your inquiry!
ReplyDeleteHi Kirsty, you are very welcome for the advice! I completely agree, the 'no right answer' still doesn't sit well with me but we have to embrace it and allow it to flow. I am always here for any tips or a chat, as I said in my blog. We have to create a little community and stay connected to help each other and learn. Paul x
DeleteHi Paul, It was really nice to hear from you and super interested to hear you have chosen mindfulness as your topic as I was thinking of doing a similar thing now beginning mod 2. You can read my latest blog about how I got to that. I think you are really brave for choosing it since you said it was not something you knew that much about. I have discovered some mindful books linked to the body and artists over the years and I would love to share our reading list. Please feel free to get in touch with me. One thing I believe we forgot to mention on the skype, that has helped me, was keeping a journal at work to my thoughts. Like in rehearsal just whipping it out when I noticed or discovered something, also writing thoughts down after meditating. I find it difficult to tune into that reflective, critical brain to get the work done, so if ever I catch myself with an idea its beneficial for me to get it down straight away. Look forward to seeing your journey here...
ReplyDeleteHi Emily, thank you for taking the time to read through my blog! I completely agree my reflective journal has been great for noting down ideas and thoughts throughout the course and then being able to go back and reflect on them and see if and how my position changed. I would love to connect with you and discuss mindfulness further. Completing my inquiry and learning more about qualitative research and phenomenology really steered me in this direction and I am embracing the unknown and openness to learning more about something I know little about. I have only started a little research but I feel like performers have a lot of mindfulness skills incorporated into our practice. Please Skype of Facebook me to arrange a call! Paul x
DeleteHi Paul! This post is great! Thank you for all the tips and tricks! i really appreciated everything you said on the zoom call the other night. I look forward to your other post. Best Chloe x
ReplyDeleteHi Chloe, you are very welcome, it was lovely seeing everyone and be able to share my insights on my journey so far. I look forward to reading your blogs! Paul x
DeleteHi Paul, Great post! It is always good to remind ourselves of these things- even as we get to module 3- Where has the time gone! Look forward to seeing your research develop
ReplyDeleteAlys :) xx
Hi Alys, where has the time gone!! It is crazy!! I am so nervous about choosing of extended literature review as there is so much information that I have collected so far and I have only read 1.5/3 books (and Adesola is suggesting I try and fit in a 4th!) I look forward to sharing our journeys together through this last module. Paul x
DeleteHi Paul, great post! As a module two it was so nice to hear all your advice, it was very much appreciated! Your inquiry sounds really interesting and I hope you are able to discover a lot surrounding mindfulness - like you mentioned it seems to be talked about a lot but hasn't really been 'mapped out' or navigated as such. Looking forward to seeing where it goes! x
ReplyDeleteHi Roanne, yes mindfulness has not got one 'map' there seem to be millions, each individual to that persons experience. I am extremely interested to learn more about it and delve into it further. I look forward to seeing your journey map out through Module Two. Another tip, that I wish I had done more, is to blog each week and explain your position and progress. This will help when completing the reflecting part of the essay and allow you to see your journey a little more clearly! Paul x
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