Task 3a - Current Networks

What are the current and different ways (tools) that you have, or do, engage your professional network?
I have used Nina's idea of a diagram, like Patrick said - it is good for visualisation.

What are the established (and different) ways that others use their networks, 

especially if they are more established or experienced practitioners that you admire?

I work for two local dance schools.  The first is 'PickUpDance' - I experimented and found on a Google search that nothing at all came up about the dance school.  The school has suffered from the recession with parents not being able to afford for their children to continue with dance lessons.  There are no current networks and so I feel it wont get better unless they do something about it.  On the other hand I work for 'Bramhall School of Dancing', a very popular, well established, well networked dance school.  BSD has a website which advertises all classes, has contact details etc...and they have also just entered the world of Facebook.  The Facebook page is a very effective network that the school provides.  It announces any updates on classes, has the school calender on their, announces any news, show dates and shares photos and also advertises the school.  The page is more for the children, which is a clever way of keeping up their interest and also keeping them informed.  BSD also has an emailing system, where information about fees or classes are sent to all parents in a 'round robin' email which is more effective than giving letters to children who may forget to give it their parents.  BSD has definitely not suffered from the recession, it is a family run dance school with a close community and information is always available and someone is always there to answer queries or questions.

Are there methods, approaches and technologies that you use socially that might apply and help you develop your professional networking?
Most of my classes are taught for dance schools, therefore they do the networking for the classes.  I have set up my own class so I had to think carefully how I was going advertise and promote the class.  Facebook is a hard one - I set up my own page and sent it to all my contacts, but didn't get much response.  The people that have 'liked' my page are people I am not 'friends' with on Facebook, so I update things on there for people to see but I do tend to use my normal account for advertising too, as they know who I am and I am trying to reach as many people as I can, and if people don't 'like' my page then I have no other way than to use my normal account.  I have had a banner made that I put up each week to network wider, as well as posters up in shops and distributing flyers.  I have also signed up to a website that helps promote the class.  Facebook is also a good way to keep in touch with dancers and now dance teachers that I have met along my Journey.  I use YouTube a lot.  I upload videos for my students of dances they are learning so they have easy access if they wish to practice.  I also subscribe to other dancers / dance teachers channels.  And now Blogging, which is something that has introduced people with the same interests and goals.  This is down to BAPP and although most were wary at first, I believe it is a great way to network.

When you reflect upon current networks, can you think about the motives of others to be in the network and what values and purpose they have in mind?

For the likes of people wanting to join my Facebook page they wish to be involved in what's going on and want to express an interest, they are also interested in being kept up-to-date with the class.  For YouTube I am doing that for my students and I am also ensuring they keep motivated about the class and it can also be used to advertise the class.  The BAPP course has introduced me to blogging and allowed me to connect with people I probably wouldn't have as we are worked based learning and from all parts of the World.  We all have the same interests at heart and Blogs are for sharing thoughts, feelings and knowledge with others.  People may have thoughts that may help you learn and thoughts you have may help others learn.

What would your ideal network look like and why? 

At the moment my professional network is mainly with dancers or dancers wanting to become teachers.  I would like my professional network to have more contact with teachers who have done it all and with their knowledge would be able to advise me from their experiences.  I like that my network (especially BAPP) there are people in exactly the same boat as me.  They are dancers wanting to become teachers.  Although I am a dance teacher and know others like myself, I want the next step to be a teacher in a school (through a PGCE).  I realise how beneficial networking is and I now know that mine needs developing.

What realistic things could you do to work towards developing your ideal network?

I have tried contacting my old GCSE dance teacher through Facebook but had no such luck as I don't think she uses it that often.  I know that to get direct answers I need to visit the school and ask for advice and any contacts she may know that could help.  I have also spoke to an old college teacher who did a PGDE and although to work at a dance college I don't think you really need a PGDE or PGCE more that you need dance qualifications and dance teacher quals, it probably stands you in better stead and she advised to go along that route.