Connectivism and web 2.0

As I reflect on this week, I realise that my focus has been on the formal modes of learning and research - i.e. books and articles. It's all relative, but I, along with many others (I presume), find it difficult to stay focused when these are the only forms of learning. I thought to myself "I need a variety of learning styles...", and that's when the penny dropped. Connectivism. How could I be so ignorant?

Does anyone else find it tough to stay motivated when just reading?

Taking this forward, I should start to explore social networking sites whilst researching - looking for blogs and videos, and reading the comments will give my learning diversity. Then, I can use this new source of information to make connections with my own practice, and apply this knowledge in discussions or meetings with friends or colleagues.

For example...

A new musical comes town. There will only be so much time I can spend reading the facts of the show - the synopsis, the music, the cast, the creatives, the theatre, the run, etc. So, once I have retained enough information on the topic, I should channel my energy into the unfamiliar, jump on the internet and get lost down a Youtube hole; reading the comments and making connections as I go.

However, reading the comments is usually as far as I tend to go. My willingness to participate usually sticks its head in the sand, and the fear of being judged, misread or mocked overwhelms me and I move onto the next post. This may be a personality issue, but it seems to be connected, but I believe it is a technique I should work to overcome.

My participation in Web 2.0 is lacking confidence, and because of the theoretical concept of connectivism, I believe I could benefit from taking part in online discussions. Contributing my own thoughts, ideas and opinions will benefit my learning experience from the responses I then receive back.

Do any of you have have any issues holding you back from participating online? If so, what are they?

I was reluctant to start a blog for this course - writing out my thoughts, ideas, or experiences seems quite alien and unnatural. However, it is beginning to train me to express myself in new ways, and use the internet to interact with educational topics of interest. Web 2.0 may be considered as 'a highly contested and extensively debated concept', but I am beginning to understand the benefits, see it for all that all it's worth.

Ethics in theatre

I find the social construct of ethics a fascinating topic; it is widely discussed in the theatre industry and invites a lot of questions and opinions. In the progressive world we live in today, with ever changing opinions about what is considered right and wrong, it's difficult to forget that others have different thoughts and varying standards of what is acceptable. However, when something truly touches a nerve, it can be quite difficult to keep your opinion to yourself.

From researching, discussing or even just thinking about this topic recently, I have discovered that disagreements occur on a daily basis - some just seem to be more newsworthy than others. Depending on the source that sparks the question of ethics, it can result in a varying degree of consequences on the individual or organisation, which can often lead to abuse, hatred and diminishment. On the other hand, it can cause an influx of support and it potentially could effect change within a particular field.

These are some of the discussions and articles I have discovered recently.

https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2019/the-color-purple-writer-alice-walker-on-seyi-omooba-playing-celie-while-not-believing-in-her-right-to-be-loved-would-be-a-betrayal-of-womens-right-to-be-free/

https://www.broadway.com/buzz/181412/who-do-you-think-you-are-broadway-star-patti-lupone-takes-on-audience-texting-at-shows-for-days/

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/aug/15/outrage-at-disney-casting-jack-whitehall-to-play-a-gay-character-is-misguided

Ethical discussions can be stimulated by actions or words from anyone associated with the industry (from audience members to dressers, writers to stage crew, producers to musicians) on a range of topics, such as: sexuality, etiquette, race, gender, class, money, and many more.

What kind of ethical discussions have arisen in your field of practice, and what are your thoughts on them?

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In the second lens of the ACI3611 Module Handbook: Reflection, Ethics and Reflexivity, it states that:

Ethical Considerations: when you think about something in terms of how it has been, or can be affected, by something else. In order to imagine different way something can be affected by something else you need to involve:

• Questioning your own assumptions about the situation
• Using your imagination to be able to see more than one perspective
• Involving empathy to see more than one experience of the same thing
• Questioning what is considered the 'norm'.
• Challenging the way history might have depicted a situation

Ethical Procedures: what you do to to attempt not to have a detrimental effect on people.

The considerations stated above have been useful when reading and reviewing ethical discussions as part of the portfolio, but are also practical tools that I believe I could apply to any social interaction and to my professional development.