5B!

Task 5b requires you to look at the codes of practice which steer the ethical framework in the work place this time using research from professional sources .

I went onto the C.D.E.T website which I found from looking at students Blogs who were basing there inquiry on a similar subject to me. I had never been on this site before and I found it so helpful and interesting.
They have a recommend Code of Professional Conduct and Practice that is to guide teachers on issues of good practice.
Here is a link to the page http://www.cdet.org.uk/teaching-and-qualifications/code-of-conduct/

It is all very interesting and extremely important to read if you are a teacher or looking to become a teacher but there are a few things that stood out to me.

' Not accept a teaching post or undertake work for which he or she is not competent or qualified.'

The reason I have highlighted this is because a couple of weeks ago I was approached by a friend who was offering me work for some children's Zumba parties. It was very good pay and regular work. They told me the work was there for me if I wanted it. What they did not understand or think about was how ethically wrong it would be if I was to accept this job as I have never taught a Zumba class in my life. They assumed as I was a dancer I would have enough experience to take on this roll but you have to have a certificate to say you are a qualified Zumba teacher in order to teach a class. I know am looking into taking the course so that in the future I can get this work but it would have been ethically wrong for me to have accepted this work at this present time.

'Ensure that students are not discriminated against on the grounds of sex, race, colour, religion, age, disability, national or social origin or other status. '

I mentioned race and discrimination in my previous blog and I think this is  a very serious subject to be aware of.

One thing that is mentioned on the C.D.E.T  website is a teachers teaching name. I never would have thought that this was an issue that should be raised but now I see why this must be. The name must not be misleading or a name that they are not entitled to.

Also something I never mentioned was the use of copy right. As a teacher you must be in accordance to the law with regards to copyright and recordings.

The C.D.E.T  explains in detail health and safety issues to consider.

• heating levels and ventilation
• suitable flooring appropriate to the technique taught
• secure area for changing
• understand his/her responsibility in case of medical emergency
• ensure that all fire regulations are adhered to

As a teacher it is essential that you are a role model to your students. It is a Teachers job to demonstrate the correct behaviour, teach the importance of punctuality, implement self-discipline into their pupils and ensure each child's needs are met through rigorous planning.

The RAD website also has a code of conduct which I found very helpful. There are four main points they talk about.

Integrity- Respecting the confidentially of students. You must respect anything that a student/parent confides in you. It is also imperative to deal honestly with money/information somebody shares with you and to make sure private and personal interests do not conflict with professional duties.

Competence- As a teacher you must maintain up to date knowledge in what you are teaching. Lessons must be planned and not just put together during the class.

Professionalism- You must work in a positive and co-operative manner. It is also important to engage in reflective practice.

Compliance- Health and safety of every child is essential. Any body working with children must have an up to date CRB and must be aware of  child protection and data protection.


This task has enabled me to have a much better understanding, ethically, of what is required from me as a professional teacher.

5A- Ethics in your work place.

5a- Ethics in your work place/ Professional community which is familiar to you.

In this task we are asked to consider the ethics that might apply in our community of practice relying on our own thoughts wholly.

I am looking at what makes a good teacher so my place of practice will be a class room/studio.
There are many codes of practice in a teaching environment, here are the thoughts that came to my mind without reference to any documents or discussion.

• I am responsible for the health and safety of each individual child. I must be completely aware of all the hazards in the room and report any problems that may arise.

• I must be aware were all the fire exits are located and what the procedure is in case of an emergency.

• Must have a valid CRB check.

• It is important to treat every child with respect. The language used with the children must be chosen very carefully.

• I must not share any information about a child with anybody else in/out of the environment I am in. Addresses/ telephone numbers and even information a child/parent may have spoken to me about individually must be kept private.

• You must not be racist or discriminating towards any child.

• I must have the correct knowledge and qualifications in the subject area I am teaching.

• It is important to be dressed appropriately for the classroom and look professional as I will be representing either myself or the company I work for.

4D- My Award Title Proposal.

4d! My Award Title Proposal.

As well as still hoping to perform I am slowly looking towards becoming a teacher. Not having much experience in this but having a drive and passion to becoming a teacher I think an Inquiry to what makes a good teacher will benefit my future career and also help others improve there teaching skills

I have decided that my Award Title should be either.

Ba Honours Professional Practice In Dance

OR

Ba Honours Professional Practice In Performing Arts

Both of these reflect my previous training, reflect the learning process of this course and will be relevant to my future career.

Observing some classes.

I am currently trying to change my career path towards teaching more than performing. Not completely taking performing out of my life, but looking ahead into the future I would like when I am no longer able to perform, to teach.

I don't have much teaching experience, therefore am trying to build it up and if I am not teaching learn things by observing classes and other teachers.

Last Tuesday I went into a School and observed a trampolining class put on especially for 3 autistic children. I knew before I went into the class that it would be taken differently than if it were a group of children who did not have autism but I was really speechless once I was in the room. I have never really seen many autistic children before and the teacher explained to me before they came into the room how there are many different levels of autism and that these children had a high level of it.

Previously a couple of days before I had watched the same teacher take a group of 15, 8 year old girls for a trampolining party. I watched how he controlled the class, made sure they had fun but also was fully aware of there safety as obviously trampolining can be very dangerous if not taken seriously.

From the minute the children with autism entered the room the style of teaching was completely different. The teacher almost was not a teacher if that makes any sense. And he had only 3 children in the room instead of 15 and the level of his concentration was the same, if not higher,
The children's parents were this time present in the room at all times and the teacher was very hands on with the children. Not just telling them what they had to do and were they needed to be but physically moving them. He was firm but not too firm and he interacted on a one to one basis with each child almost most of the time. The level of patience required by the teacher in this session was hundred percent more than in the previous class I had seen.

Even though for most of the time the children were just bouncing up and down I seen how rewarding it was for both the teacher and the parents when they done something they were told, something so small as just sit on your bottom on the trampoline was a big achievement for them. The parents were so grateful for the teachers time and patience he had with their children.

I spoke to the parents during the class and I found them inspiring. They were so happy that this session had been put on just for their children because they said it is so hard when they are in a class full of all other children who don't understand this disadvantage that there children have.
They did nothing but praise the teacher of how he had helped there children come along in a matter of a few weeks.

I am now really interested once I start to teach more into also teaching children with autism and other disabilities. It will be interesting to see how as a teacher you have to take a different approach to teaching different children. It seems to be very rewarding to the children, parents and teacher.

Survey!

Hi guys, if you could just take 5 minutes of your time to complete my survey it would be very much appreciated. I will return the favour.

Thank you. xx

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B63R9C5

Small problem?? Or not??

Having spoke to a lot people (even my mum) haha I decided that my inquiry topic of teaching would be more beneficial and relevant to were I see my career going. Although now I have come across a small problem.

I am not actually teaching on a regular basis at the moment. I cover the odd class for an old teacher of mine and the new teaching job I have just got is a long process to begin with as it is set class that follows a ciriculam we have to learn and go through a training process before we are able to teach. This means for the next couple of weeks I won't be actually be teaching myslef. Although, I will be observing classes.

As I am wanting to make the transition between a performer to a teacher and I am wondering if it is possible to carry out my inquiry by more observing and speaking to experienced teachers more than actually teaching myself until I get up and running with my new teaching job.

Any comments would be much appreciated guys!!!!

Xxxx

Ok so I keep changing my mind!!!! There is no more time really to be thinking of what my inquiry topic should be as we are 3 weeks in, I just am drawn between two.

I am very interested in the topic of how a dancer deals with rejection as I know how it feels and I have many peers who I could relate too and interview etc. I also read many interesting articles on the internet which I enjoyed. But I do want to become a teacher in the future and I feel like maybe the topic of what makes a good teacher may be more relevant to my future and what I am trying to achieve at the moment. I also feel  If I choose the topic of teaching I can go into schools and observe and will be able to use a lot more people for surveys and interviews for my research than if I were to choose the topic of rejection.

Does anybody have any thoughts on my dilemma and could help me make a final decision because both topics I find I could learn a lot from.


xxx