We started off by talking about our experiences in interview situations and how to critique our own performances within an interview. How did we think we came across? We related this to Axelrod's theory of the 'prisoner's dilemma'. I had been telling Paula and Irini about a recent experience of mine at a group interview and how I was unsure of how co operative to be within a role play situation. We had to role play a class of teenagers - as someone was being the teacher - and were all given disruptive traits to play. I was worried I had pushed it too far (as I was trying to be a realistic teenager), I didn't want to make it difficult for the person who was in the teacher position to look good. As we were interviewing for a leader role at a summer youth programme. However, it was pointed out that maybe I did in fact co operate more than I thought because that person was then able to show how they controlled the disruptive behaviour. To me the 'prisoner's dilemma' is about what we do to survive. How much co operation is needed, would this change depending on the situation? Would it change in our different professional and personal networks? Naturally I am a co operative person who wants to help others but would that change if I was in competition or felt threatened by someone?
We then talked about Lave and Wenger, how they outlined communities of practise. Paula gave us some great visual aids to get us thinking about how interlinked our interests are with those of our colleagues or people in our networks.
We talked about how looking into our professional networks had helped us to improve upon the networks we already have in place. For example, I felt confident to be more proactive and honest about what aid I need to make my classes better. I had a long chat on the phone with my boss from the theatre school the other day properly reflecting on the recent show; what worked, what didn't - what could we do to improve on those things. We communicate regularly via email but talking on the phone felt more of a connection and we were able to properly throw in ideas and troubleshoot problems. This is because we had those things in the above diagram; mutual engagement, joint enterprise and shared repertoire. My boss also completed an MA in applied theatre in education last year so I know that she will have a lot of ideas that she will have looked into so she is a great person for me to connect with.
We then made diagrams based on these ideas showing our existing networks.
I then focused in on my acting networks and how they have gotten me into various other projects that may not necessarily be completely acting orientated. Irini mentioned how in her singing career she started out with one musician helping her but through various connections with friends or people that she worked with she now has a band of musicians who are able to help her with her music. We are networking all the time. We both have experience of working within catering jobs - both of us observed that we have met people on these jobs who often do other things which could help us in our careers if we take the time to connect with people. Irini knew a stylist through this - which she would use when doing music videos or shoots.
In making these connections we are working our way to the centre. The closer connections we make the more we can get out of them. How does a hierarchy work in your network?
We finished by talking about the critical reflection. About using evidence from our blogs and maybe that having a flow through it rather than splitting it into parts one, two and three could be good. We discussed some ideas that had come up in inquiry and ways to take those ideas further. Writing them down in our journal or somewhere as we are realistic that we will not always have time to go and look them up right there and then.
I found today's session really helpful to touch base and to get my mind working! After the session Irini and I took a trip to explore the library as well. Good to take advantage of the resources available and connect further with some one else on the course.
thanks Lisa - a good review of the session
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