I have progressed and developed my inquiry drastically as I continue to ask the question; what is it I want to know? This has meant that my theme has not changed but the content of my inquiry has. I have followed my plan as much as I could but circumstances have prevented a smooth investigation. This is because it was not as easy as first thought to combine my work-load with research, organizing activities and finding a time that suits all participants.
Here are a few things that I have had to contend with in the past few months:
- I have left employment at the dancing school stated in Inquiry. Thus carrying out an investigation here is no longer an option.
- I have had a cut in hours at the dance college meaning less time to instill body conditioning within a particular course. The gym at the college has also been out of action due to a ongoing improvements therefore, gym programs have not been looked at due to lack of time and facilities.
- I have started my own dancing school. Preparing for this, a show and other performances along with everything that comes with starting a school from advertising to costume organization, has proven difficult with such limited time.
- I have had to add hours to a cafe job that helps pay the bills taking up more of my researching time.
Never before has prioritizing been more important. It seems I am still developing this skill even after I thought I had done so well last term. Things seem to be escalating and time is escaping. I need 'Bernard's Watch'!
Interviews are going well I only have one more to complete. I will right a small summary over the next week and post my recordings and findings.
The survey I posted needs many changes. Thank you to everyone that participated. The results I gathered have lead me to develop my questions further. Also, I now need to add questions about common injuries to aid the creation of my artifact.
My brief overview of 'Survey Monkey' findings
- 88.9% trained at a Trinity accredited college. I choose to find out this information as I am currently working in a Trinity accredited college, this is my area of professional practise. I will cross reference this with my findings later on in my research.
- 77.8% had a ballet class every day. This percentage and the next three bullet points show me what emphasis was put on a particular style of class within the course thus allowing me to understand what is important when training.
- 0% had a fitness/body conditioning class everyday. At first I was concerned about this. However, I realised that a weekly fitness regime can consist of classes and personal fitness regimes combined.
- 33.3% of participants took part in one to three classes of body conditioning a week.
- 66.7% had access to the gym when training.
- A third of participants use the gym now either less than one hour a week, one to two and three to four hours a week.
- 22% of training focused on fitness within weekly training at 10/20%, 50/60, and 70/80% of the course content. These results varied immensely. I was surprised at this as I assumed Trinity Colleges were standardized. 33.3% at 30-40%. Therefore, most colleges focus less than half of there course content on fitness. This alone outlines the need for a guide that helps students to maintain body condition within and around their college timetable.
- 77.8% have a fitness regime now and either swim, run, work out, visit the gym 2-5 days a week, or take part in more than 40 minutes of exercise everyday. These can be ideas outlined within my professional artifact.
- Only 10% work on flexibility and core strength. Leaving one guessing what else they work on, maybe I should have added a question that required a more specific answer here as this is not very helpful for my research.
- 100% agree they were correctly trained for their career. Conversely in the comments box a few participants added that knowledge of strength and fitness was not covered within the course. The course focused on correct execution of technique. This also supports the need for a guide to help students understand their bodies and how to keep them well conditioned.
