6 c - Proposing my Award Title- Rationale

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When considering the title of my BAPP award I thought about my area of research and how I would like that to be reflected in the title. I also thought about my future career development and how my award title might assist with furthering it. 

My aim after I complete the course is to do a PGCE and teach in mainstream education. I am also looking into the possibility of doing an MA in Dance Movement Therapy. I feel that it would help if my award title indicated that I had studied the teaching of dance for people with special needs. My reasoning for this is as follows:

In line with the government policy for education that "every child matters", my inquiry is concerned at determining whether pupils with Autism are receiving the best dance learning experience that can be afforded to them. The questions I wish to ask are as follows:

      INQUIRY QUESTIONS         

                         

• “What methods are dance teachers implementing for their pupils with ASD and are there any additional strategies they could be put in place to enhance the dance learning experience for people with ASD?”


• Do people/parent’s of people with ASD feel that dance has helped them/their child in any way in their lives and what has their past dance experience been like?




• “Would dance teachers who are not specialist in the field of autism be interested in attending local courses/workshops on this subject that might provide teaching strategies they can implement in their existing classes?” 

Autism is a spectrum disorder encompassing many different conditions such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Epilepsy. I intend to investigate both ends of the autistic spectrum in my inquiry. In order to give an informed opinion in my research analysis it will be necessary for me to have in depth knowledge of the conditions of ASD and how they manifest themselves in various ways in different individuals on the spectrum. I will be gaining experience through the medium of dance of how to meet the challenges faced by people with special needs.

I am already a fully qualified dance teacher and examiner in the private dance sector and therefore I would like an award title that shows that I have added another dimension to my existing qualifications and experience.

After discussions with my SIG as to the validity of my award title, I propose that it be worded accordingly:

BAPP (Dance Teaching with a focus on special needs)


I would welcome any additional comments about whether people think my proposed title is appropriate and suggestions on other ways I might word it.