Alison Lonsdale BA (Hons) - Professional Practice, Arts & Creative Industries Blog

Wednesday 25th discussion brought forward a question that I have never thought of before.   Does somebody require a qualification in order to work within a specific role, or is experience justifiably as good as a qualification? This is something that I have never had to answer before. I have always thought that they go hand in hand but was slightly swaying towards qualification, because it is what I have been told and taught. But starting in my new position, as a dance teacher in a specialist needs school, experience is outweighing any form of exam that I could take. This is when I realised that I have started my new beginning (if there is such thing), or is this just an on going journey of learning? I qualified as an ISTD teacher in classical ballet, modern theatre and tap dance with a DDE in each subject. This gave me insight into the growth of a child, health and safety in the work place, why the ISTD syllabus is structured like it is to fit growth patterns, different w...

On Friday I tuned into my first Skype session with other students enrolling on to the course and also some that are entering further modules. I didn't know what to expect and at 6pm I was eagerly waiting with my laptop, iPad, phone, note pad and pen. On the dot the call came through and we were off with a chassé pas de bourrée. It was good to finally speak and listen to others on the course and to get an insight into their journey so far. New students like me who were eagerly listening to Helen and others chatting away, and I'm sure just like me they were frantically jotting down notes. As I see it, when I am studying I am at my best. My mind is active and time management comes a lot easier as my study falls into place with my work and home life. I am not saying that this is going to be an easy journey and is definitely going to challenge my self motivation. A lot of will power, research, reading and blogging is going to help me through it and I'm sure others feel the sam...