Task 2a Reflective Journal Task

I started a private journal last week and it would be true to say I have a lot to reflect upon. It is the middle of November (Movember) so actually, facially I am looking quite different, I never have a moustache but I have be cajoled, with some of my colleagues to grow one for awareness of testicular cancer.

I suppose, as my face changes, when i dare look in the mirror, with the tache, I hope some change is taking place in me, as a reflection of the work embarked upon on the course.

One of the things I have started to notice, is how difficult it can be to write subjectively, even to yourself, on matters that are very personal to you and emotive - particularly in a time of transition, in relation to parts of a professional life.

Due to the nature of it, strong passions are often involved. Building something up from nothing, to what you beleive is a stable, healthy, ethical and successful state involves some tender loving care, along with hard work, that I suppose is most easily defined in the time and degree of effort you know yourself, you have put into it. It also involves complex relationships with other practitioners, some of which you may have taken years to reach a certain fluid understanding with. The reward of this though, in my personal experience, is that you complement one another, through your strengths and weaknesses, to a far greater extent.

It can be absolutely gut wrenching, to see something that quantifiably has made such a difference to many lives be undermined, for quite shallow reasons and with a distinct lack of evidence.

I would like to think that had I started a journal some time ago, I may have picked up on my own weaknesses, in a decision making, democratic process that would have helped me bring the above situation to a head, a lot sooner, causing a lot less pain to everyone involved, probably in a more assertive way.

As part of my journal, on a daily basis,  I am seeking ways in which to critically reflect on simple things that have happened that day.

I also wonder if I can somehow turn the above into a positive outcome, as whilst the future looks a lot rosier now, I was forced, in a really negative way, to carefully plan any actions I chose to take, in consultation with others, with all the minutae of evidence required - a time consuming process - I wonder if this in its own garbled way, acts as some form of record keeping that can enhance reflective practise? answers on a postcard lol.

I do think it helped and made me and others, more lucid in justifying actions and decisions. I guess the passion actually carried this process forward.

Task 1c BAPP Aspirations Video

I found converting to a suitable video for the blog a little problematic but I will seek a way to resolve this.

Task 1b Professional communication technologies

Task 1b Professional communication technologies







Looking outward at how others have used the technologies and what they have said about the technologies some of the Platforms that have been catgorised as web 2.0 are Blogs, Facebook, Youtube and Wikipedia.

Due to my age and professional work experience within two very distinct periods of time, I have one foot routed in “the old” and one foot in “the new” with regards to communication technologies.

This gives me both practical perspectives and anecdotal evidence to help me form some initial opinions and findings on the above. Allied to this I have the incredible written resources/evidence/references available to me through the various media used to record them all from “the new” ways of communicating.

Moreover I have a, so far untapped into, for me, source of opinions and information from colleagues and with an inter generational strand perhaps, a rich vein of information from the young people I regularly work with. This work, perhaps more uniquely, takes place with very differing strands of ability levels, ages, disabilities and behavioural traits. It is important for me to mention this latter category as I would seek to prove that their social habits now, with regard to Web 2.0 may inevitably feed into their professional working life. Indeed, they are likely to be part of a next generation of professional communication technology users who develop further change. The main architects of web 1.0 and 2.0 were relatively young adults ie Tim Berners-Lee(www), Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), you could also include other pioneers/entrepreneurs, such as Bill Gates (Microsoft) & Steve Jobes (Apple).

At this point I would like to define some features of a web 2.0 community, one of the most frequently used models for this is O`Reilly`s web 2.0 meme map. I will not attempt a definition of all the strands that make up the meme map but discuss the three competencies associated with web 2.0
　

Architectures of participation
 


I am seeking here to look for a practical everyday example to illustrate the general meaning of web 2.0. I have picked up on a number of comments from my blogging companions from the course who draw upon experiences garnered from their own professional practise or social life and varying situations they have encountered. Likewise I would like to draw upon an example from my own professional practise to define participation in relation to web 2.0. I am lucky enough to work frequently with young people in devising theatre pieces and rely upon, to almost an equal extent, the views and input of the “passive” observers (the young people watching). What we frequently do, is start with an initial interpretation of a situation, quite often communicating an idea with one or more moral values, communicated to the audience of passive observers by the “active” participants. In this situation each group of “active” performers will take turns to develop the original concept, through what they have learnt as “passive” observers. This could, in theory be honed and develop to an infinitesimal extent. The exact same could be said for interactions through web 2.0.

Re-mixable data and transformations

 


Is the reality that with web 2.0 ideas, materials, data etc can be multiply, re-arranged, placed in different formats and locations, altered. Justin Reich discusses, as an example, that whilst web 2.0 is in theory, economically a leveller, allowing larger amounts of populations, a platform or access to powerful communication tools, information could be remix able in ways to suit a distinct ideology, such as in China and monitored by agencies, to the detriment of the individual.

Bruns discusses the principle around Produsage, where the production and usage are fluid, one and the same, it often has copywrite properties attached to contributions and is continually evolving. Dr Bruns also talks about online gaming, where whole groups of gamers alter and shift the parameteres of games, not now working within rigid narratives and this has become an essential of that particular online experience.

Having read Colin Lankshear and Michele Knobel`s journal, in particular on role playing I find similarities of my earlier comments in this piece and a good explanation, in a different medium of remix able data and transformations.

Harnessing collective intelligences




　



Ullrich in 2008 talks about “Harnessing the power of the crowd” We now know the vast power for good or ill from collective intelligence, we only need to look as far as Wikipedia, which is accessed and changed by millions on a daily basis. We have come to rely on this as a source of information and curiosity and as human beings it is in our nature to be inquisitive, exploring, to develop fresh thinking. I am also of a trait that is similar to probably millions, in that I fall into modes of communication that are very easily accessed and cheap. Web 2.0 lends itself to this perfectly.

As a final thought, I have been listening to Dotun Adebayo`s radio 5 live programme and in a humourous piece on Sunday 25th Nov 2012 he talked about Eton students doing the "gangnam style" dance on youtube, as is happening all over the place, an example of harnessing collective intelligences,  remixing and transforming data, ie "the dance/song" picked up from a particular participation strand, in this case, youtube. It would be impossible for this kind of interaction previously and for it to be available on such a widespread scale.

Task 1d

My Initial Flickr images with more to add can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/?start_tab=sets Some I have selected for the blog here. I have lots of recent pictures, so it will take time to upload them all

Russ Whittingham

RUSS WHITTINGHAM Email: rawbapp@gmail.com
PROFILE
	Professionally qualified Educational & Theatre practitioner, with extensive and varied experience of working with young people in very diverse situations, cultures and in formal educational settings for about 21 years, on and off.
WORK HISTORY
Apr 2006 to Present Jul 2007 to Present 2009	Student Support Leader www.hansonschool.com Bradford Below are some areas of work and achievement I have been responsible for, to date Behaviour, concentrated on whole school and previously Year groups. Group work , with varied cohorts of students, issue based and academic Responsibilities for some looked after students, including attending review meetings Attendance work Classroom support Successfully engaged our students to produce Hairspray, the first school musical for 4 years, along with Carousel Run the after school Filmclub with and for our students for the past two years Run the school spelling team, four years Helped organise various residentials BABIES course, Army residential, Outward bound courses Parental Involvement Worker - Worked to set up a Parents Forum for Hanson Organised other Parental activities/events, in the evenings and weekends Recipient of the inaugural "Helping Hands" looked after award Have deputised for HOYs, including devising and delivering some assemblies Transition work from Primary to Secondary Artistic Director   The New Community Arts Academy West Yorkshire www.tncaa.com A founder of a unique, financially solvent, community theatre collaboration. Working with performers of all ages. Formally praised for our work by the previous Health Secretary, Alan Johnson MP. Hon Patron Kitty McGeever (RADA trained, blind actress, currently on Emmerdale) Director of Theatre Productions Drama/singing tutor, answerable to a Management Committee Managing a team of employed practitioners & volunteers Working with Looked after youngsters including foetal alcohol/drugs children Working with Special Needs, including Downs Syndrome, Autism, Asbergers Working with gifted/talented young people Fully differentiated work Some students working towards Gold Arts Award(Equal GCSE grade A) Organised Young people`s London Residential, including wheelchair users Sole responsibility for planning budgets, on all productions to date Heavily involved in publicity, company sponsorships, the image and quality control of the group I Have been instrumental in securing funding to the level of 150k, to date Senior Residential Officer Leeds Metropolitan University, Carnegie Campus I was asked if I would be interested in a part time position (evenings/weekends) involving some living in at student residences (Sugarwell Court), as a residential officer. They said they were impressed at the interview and I was asked if I would take on a more senior role. I was reluctant initially, due to my other responsibilities, but finally agreed. I was involved in all aspects of students Pastoral care, including thorough investigations of incidents in and around the campus/student accommodation. I was "on call" and actively managing and motivating a small team of officers. I enjoyed and handled this role for roughly 8 months and only gave it up due to my other commitments starting to clash, timing wise.
Dec 2005 to Apr 2006	Drama workshops / Business Development Self Employed West Yorkshire Various pieces of Drama work with young people, in many Educational & community settings. Some small consultancy contracts, with work done for Bradford Chamber of Commerce
Sep 2004 to Dec 2005	Manager Youth Team Bradford Youth Development Partnership Bradford A comic relief funded 12 month position Managing the training programme of trainee youth workers Delivering various modules through the training period Leading an International experience, for my team of trainee`s to a village in Gujarat, India Organising & leading placements in Primary and Secondary schools and helping deliver various programmes around, sport/health & social Working in a single cultural environment in the Manningham / Girlington areas of Bradford Motivating trainees Working with trainee`s at risk of being dis-affected Organising and leading, residential youth experiences Help organise community celebration events
Sep 2003 to 2004	Director Vocalise Bradford Self employed, using my Drama skills to work on projects across West Yorkshire schools & private classes & my office to run a small business development operation. Below are some of the contracts I worked on Antic Mind Theatre- in -Education Company Bradford Chamber of Commerce Events at Royal Armouries, Leeds. Helped co-ordinate Opportunity China, press liaison with the Chinese Ambassador Kala Sangam - East Asian Arts University of the 1st age Artworks Bradford Youth Service Private classes, Wibsey & Greengates, Bradford Meanwood & Alwoodley, Leeds Issue based themes ie Bullying/weapons
2001 to 2003	Business Development Manager Superstat Ltd Bradford This is a company, set up as a buying group. Operating throughout the UK Supporting the needs of a network of small business`s throughout the UK Recruitment of new business`s to the buying group Help in the organisation of national conferences Visits to companies, problem solving Marketing functions
Jul 1996 to 2002	Jobbing Actor Working on various projects 1996 Thomsons Cruises - Singer TV & Film work including "A touch of Frost" 1997 Openwide Intl - Cruise Ship Singer 1998 Black Mountain Chorus, USA (East) 50 concerts 1999 Ibiza Large scale 8 month Cabaret Show 2000 Black Mountain Chorus, USA (West) 50 concerts Theatre - The Railway Children, London A Royal Variety Show 1995 2002 Black Mountain Chorus tour to Hong Kong
Sep 1993 to Jul 1996	Full time study, Guildford School of Acting
Jul 1991 to Sep 1993	Youth & Community Worker Bradford Youth Service Bradford After working part-time as a Youth worker at one of Bradfords most challenging estates for 3 years (Ravenscliffe) I was approached to cover a full time maternity leave at the main office. Managing the club night with upto 100 young people Some outreach work, drug hotspots Organising events Working as part of a team
Jul 1987 to Jul 1991	Hardware Support Grattan PLC Bradford Prior to this was an accounts section leader, also within Grattan PLC on/off site callouts Hardware/software support Helpdesk
EDUCATION
1989	Bradford College Bradford GCSEs Evening study Maths C Accounts B
Sep 1993 to Jul 1996	Guildford School of Acting Guildford, Surrey 3 Year Acting/Musical Theatre Diploma A highly sought after practical course aimed at the professional performer. I took the wholly professional performer route.
Sep 1982 to Jul 1985	St Bedes RC Grammar School Bradford O Levels Geography English RE Economics
MEMBERSHIPS
	Actor`s Equity

An exciting time belatedly starting with new discoveries and risk taking

I very much enjoyed the practical session at the University the other week. Now is the time for me to get stuck into this new learning opportunity and I am greatly looking forward to it.

Working in a creative environment can have its unexpected challenges, the organisation I care about and work with has faced some of these recently, in fact we seem to be just coming through them in a very positive fashion.

Most importantly, this frees me up to concentrate on the BAPP albeit with some early trepidation on my current lack of a true reflective way of thinking and some practical lack of modern online communication techniques, thus I will be taking risks and allowing the learing process to take place.

I am attaching my CV for what it is, in view of what I do currently. I have deliberately attached it "warts and all" to set a starting point to my learning process and hopefully to effectively plot my progress.

Very much looking forward to establishing great new networks of fresh thinking, through this medium, in an open and dynamic way and taking onboard and analysing fresh new approaches, whilst contributing in some ways to this. 

russ