Extension

After speaking with my tutor Paula last night I feel less stressed and more aware of what I need to do. I have opted to hand in my project in May for a number of reasons:

I am behind on my writing because:

a) my computer died (it had been having a hard time for a while!) losing some of my work and having to wait for my hard drive to be ripped out so I could recover some meant I lost over a week of writing time. I though

b) for some reason I thought I had to hand in the final draft on 6^th January 2011 and the project to be marked on 20^th Feb, where the 20^th Feb came from I am not sure but it was in my diary! Lesson learnt – recheck dates!

c) If I rush now to get it finished I will not feel I achieved my best and it is not fair to expect Paula to mark my late hand in of drafts when she is very busy herself.

d) Due to my travels throughout the project I was unable to conduct some research till November and therefore I was unable to hand drafts in when suggested.

e) Due to late research taking I have not had the chance to see fully the impact and implications of my research findings.

f) Due to spending most of the research time in Dubai and Rhodes I have not been able to access library resources easily or consistently which has slowed down my literature search and development process.

I spoke with Paula for approximately an hour about when I should complete, what I need to do, important aspects to include in the project and what I have learnt from my research. My thoughts were made clear and Paula helped me to clarify what to do with them. I appreciate the time Paula gave me, especially on a Sunday evening when I am sure there are a million other things she could/needs to be doing. My study expectations and needs are now understandable. Plus I know the name of the ‘waiting for godot’ author – Samuel Beckett!

Now I have an extension, despite the major downside that I have work to do till May, I feel it will benefit my course study and research project dramatically because I will be able to let thoughts marinade in my head and have more checking time for what I have written. I will also be able to enjoy Christmas and have the time to work more so I can earn more money to enjoy Christmas with, because I know my family and friends will appreciate being able to go out with me instead of watching me write!

Skype

If Skype did not exist my phone bill would be huge! I have used Skype to talk to my tutor (Paula Nottingham) at every stage through my work based learning, due to the fact that I have been in numerous different countries throughout the process. Not only is the free Skype to Skype calling beneficial but the fact you can use video really makes a difference in the understanding of what one is saying and it gives the call a more personal feel.

The ability to share screens on Skype is great to it means during a chat you can show people clearly what is going on, for example I have used it when designing advertising for my company and been able to edit the posters whilst gaining the feedback. This helps to save time and memory space!

Skype is the middleman between my family, friends, colleagues, university and me. If I could not use it I certainly would not have the relationships I do with these people. It saves money, time, memory and allows you to interact with someone in more ways than voice even if they are the other side of the world!

Google Docs

Google Docs is an online folder in which documents can be saved and shared. During my production of my research project I continuously updated and saved drafts of my work. This proved helpful when my computer decided to die and I lost everything on it, including my project work. However because of Google docs when I got access to another computer I was able to access the last copy of the work I had saved, unfortunately this did not include the work I had just written when my computer bid me farewell, so I was not entirely left to work from scratch again. Due to my computer dying I was able to realise the importance and helpfulness of using an application such as Google docs, without it I may not have been able to recover my work and would have been put seriously behind meaning I couldn’t not complete the project for the deadline.

When I first was told to use Google docs I was dubious. I did not like the idea of sharing my work for all to see, judge, comment or change. However I soon realized with each document posted you could chose your own privacy settings. I therefore would save some work to Google docs for only me to see, and other drafts for certain people to have editing ability, and others for everyone to see but no-one able to edit. Doing this allowed me to gain constructive criticism from my peers and tutor which I would otherwise not have gained, which in turn allowed me to improve upon my project writing and development.

Google docs could be easier to use, because the tool in which you select people to be able to view or edit your work does not accept the email address unless it is saved in your Google address book. This meant it was more time consuming for me to use as all my email addresses are saved in my main user account which is hotmail, and being technologically illiterate it took me a while to understand and get to grips with this and how to make it work.

In conclusion Google docs are helpful and I feel a vital tool for anyone writing anything, because you never know when your computer may die or where you might lose your USB memory stick. It allows you to receive easy to view annotations which may prove vital to your works development and it means you can easily share improvements with people that need to know them, e.g. your university tutor. I am pleased I was made aware of this application and will certainly be using it long after I have finished this current research project.

Survey Time

Hi everyone!

Please please please help me with my research and do my survey! It wont take you long and doesn't require too much brain power!

click on the link below and it should send you to it.....

free online surveys

Thank You xxxxx

Delicious

Delicious, the social bookmarking site has been extremely advantageous to my project progress. I was struggling with finding appropriate literature to support my theses, then I went on delicious and typed in ‘tags’ for the categories I wanted to search, and suddenly I was presented with a basis to start searching for more literature. The ability to create a network also makes it easier to find websites/literature. Adding people to my network with similar interests to me meant that I could easily search through their bookmarks and find interesting links to work that relate to mine. For example through Rosina Andrews delicious bookmarks I found a number of articles that helped me with research for my project and literature review. In appreciation for finding useful bookmarks through Rosina’s delicious I used the ‘inbox’ tool and sent Rosina links to articles I have found and tagged which I thought may help her.

I did a literature search by reading books and photocopying pages, to find the literature I want at anytime requires a lot more searching and organisation in order to make the search for it easier than using delicious. In fact I bookmarked the books I have hard copies of on delicious so that I can search through them more easily.

When presented with the fact I had to use internet sites to fulfil my project criteria I was not happy, part in due to my techno-phobe nature and lack of knowledge, and also because I already had a set way in which to organise my work/findings. However I am extremely grateful that I have been forced to get to grips with delicious because it has been helpful to the nth degree!

If you want to go to the site just click on the title of this post, my username is simply; Alys Spencer.

Ballet: Aria Alekzander 2010

I have posted this because I feel it is a very honest,clear and easy to understand opinion of a professional dancer! It also has a comment about how important drama is to dance, which is what my project is about.

new module

So after a few weeks off from doing work-based learning work I have finally picked up the new handbook and made a start.

Google docs is still alien to me, I am trying to get to grips with it, however a few of my documents will not convert and therefore it is not really being of any help.

I also created an account with Yahoo so that i can use delicious.
alysgspencer@yahoo.com
My delicious name is quite simply Alys Spencer so add me to your delicious network!


I watched the youtube video Danielle Stacey posted and it allowed me to make much more sense of the application than just reading the handbook did! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeBmvDpVbWc

Delicious seems a very helpful site and I am looking forward to easily being able to find reference material! I have saved one bookmark already about 'Terms of reference' because when I was reading the handbook this term had me a little confused therefore I thought it might help others if I made a bookmark explaining it.

Fingers crossed the module does not prove too difficult, but i have already noticed how well prepared the last module as left me for this one.

learning blog

Entry 5

After deciding on my topic it took me a long time to actually get started on the proposal. This was because I had no idea what a proposal actually entailed! I read examples of proposals I found through Athens, Middlesex online library. I read research books. I pondered and pondered. I read the handbook provided and finally broke down what I was expected to do – I separated it in to 13 sections and wrote them out on post-its (as I have found post-its somehow help me think!) I then started writing. Upon examination I decided I could research proposals forever, but everyone has their own writing and development style and I needed to find mine.

What needs to be in a research proposal?
1. Introduction – title, why? Context.
2. Aim – What want to find?
3. Target Audience – Who will it help? Why?
4. Objectives – Why doing research? Constraints of topic chose.
5. Research Techniques – What to use?
6. Methodology – Why using certain techniques?
7. Participant – who will you research?
8. Worker-researcher role – how do I fit in?
9. Feasibility - Action plan, resources needed and how to gain them.
10. Strengths and weaknesses – identify good and bad
11. Reflection – what have I learnt?
12. Appendices – added extras to help research and proposal understanding
13. Bibliography – collection of references

By breaking the points of what needed to be included in my proposal I started developing each bit at a time. I soon realised that writing each point in consecutive order was not going to work most efficiently – feasibility needed to be addressed before methodology could be created, and my role as a worker-researcher needed to be considered before aims could be pin pointed. After thoughts about each point, I slowly developed each section, finding they all intertwined and each part could only be strengthened by knowledge of another.

By doing secondary research I have been able to develop a hypothesis. I did not understand why secondary research needed to be found now for development of the research proposal, but now I do! It has helped me create a concise research statement and realise what areas need more research so I can hone in on them with my research questions.

I am actually beginning to enjoy developing my proposal now! I have stopped feeling confused and am impressed at all the new things I am discovering.

By developing my research dictionary I have learnt research methods and terms and could then access them to help chose my research methods.

While writing my proposal I became aware of the ethical implications that constrict everything that happens.


Critical Commentary on Learning in this Module

This module has improved my knowledge of the dance education models. I used to teach the way I had been taught, taking techniques from a number of teachers and moulding them together to create my own style. However through development of my research proposal I have discovered the regulated teaching models which have been constructed to wholly develop a dancer. I now know it is important to diversify knowledge as much as possible for younger students so they can learn other areas of the arts they like and understand dance is more than a regimented I.D.T.A syllabus.

I have also been introduced to more ways of teaching dance and drama in order to develop more skills, such as the professional model (Autard-Smith,J 1994). By deciding upon research methods and finding dance is naturally a qualitative subject my ideas about dance examinations have been questioned. Before my enquiries about how best to conduct dance research I viewed dance competitions and examinations necessary as a way of proving skills. However I now feel they go against the natural production of a dance and can be unnecessarily degrading due to personal preference. The trinity national diploma does not use a number scale in order to grade its partakers; this is beneficial because it allows movement for individual creativity and style. My ideas, about following examination syllabus work, have been seriously re-considered, and I feel it may not benefit my pupils as I previously believed due to my experiences.

I discovered that people have been theorising for centuries, such as Aristotle, about the importance of drama in dance in order for it to be successful. However I have found little to no research about how studying drama can improve a dancer. I find this strange considering how much ‘perform’ was shouted at me throughout my training, when in fact I had no idea how because all I was taught is pure dance technique. I hope my study will encourage dancers and teachers to include drama in their dance timetables if my study proves that there is a direct positive connection between the two art forms.
The module has introduced me to the world of research, learning research terminology, practice and planning. I now feel confident that I will be able to do the procedures that will allow me to answer my research hypothesis accurately and concisely.

The area of study is a logical progression for me if I wish to improve my teaching and performing skill knowledge. I realise the importance of researching a topic that is personally interesting and valuable, because if it was not I would feel no desire to put in the work needed to succeed in discovering the tasks answer, and it would not benefit me or my place of work. I look forward to completing my project.

References

Bell, J (1999), Doing Your Research Project, Open Universtiy Press, 3rd Edition.

Nottingham, P., 2010, personal email sent to myself Spencer, A.

Autard-Smith, J (1994), The Art of Dance in Education,2nd Edition.

Pilot Survey

I have created a short survey for my research. I would really love it if you would take part, it will only take two minutes!

I found the website from Danielle Stacey - so thank you Danielle!

If you can give me any feedback about it that would be great, do not feel obliged to though I am happy if you just take part in the survey!

Just click post title or URL to find it.
Thank You!

learning blog entry 4

After much deliberation I decided I was going to research my third idea; how drama can develop a dancer. I had decided to look at the physical benefits of dance but after an email from my tutor I re-assessed my choice. Below is the section that made me question my topic choice.

Paula Nottingham
In option 1. health and dance - sounds up in the air now- this has had research done before - it might be something you reference RATHER than research yourself.
2. teaching and performing - yes, we discussed this - you have to be prepared to do both - other professionals as well - how do you manage it? Think up some Research Questions that might focus this topic.
3. yes interesting - how would you find out about that with your data sources? do you work with people who have had one or the other? how does this impact on your work?

I posted my three topic ideas on the blog and received comments about how interesting idea 3 would be. This made me consider this idea more, as I realised it was of interest to a wider community.

Idea 3 – how drama can affect the level of a dancer, is the topic I found most interesting and thought would be most beneficial for what I want to achieve. Paula’s comments about referencing rather than researching made me suddenly realise the difference between these two things. Before I thought that I could not do a topic if it had no other direct research I could use, however I realised I ‘need’ to do the research and other studies can just help me enforce my findings therefore they do not need to be perfectly linked.

I realised the importance of discussion with others, and how people can help to guide you towards a decision you are finding difficult. I discovered that someone does not need to tell you what to do, but by gaining their view can help me realise what my opinion is.

Learning Blog Entry 3

In order to completely understand what is being asked of me I have gone through the handbook and written each activity on a separate post-it, with the page number on it for quick referencing, and stuck them all on a large piece of paper. This has enabled me to produce an action plan because I can now clearly see everything that needs to be completed.

I did activity 3 – I found answering set questions was very helpful. This is because you cannot brush over a point just because it might not suit the current idea. It brought up some interesting points. I also made brainstorms with ideas and found this really got my brain thinking critically about what research topics may work.

I am currently working in Dubai as a teacher mainly however when we actually have to do the proposed project I will be working as a performer in Greece, a country in which I currently have no teaching connections. This change in careers mid-project has made the whole ‘topic’ decision a lot tougher, because I have had to really question my resources and role as a worker-researcher.

Here is a list of the research ideas I have come up with - I have found it very hard to really get myself thinking as a researcher and to come up with ideas that I will be able to do whilst in Greece, but that still hold an element of education (because education is why I wanted to do the degree.)
Here in Dubai I do not really have anyone I can discuss ideas with (This is another reason I have found the topic choosing so difficult.)
I have brainstormed and asked myself the appropriate 'research' questions about all of them.

1. What are the Physical/Health repercussions of a dance education? - I originally thought to focus this on 5-8year olds but being in Greece I thought it would be best to focus on adults because I could then study the dancers and non-dancers on the resort. I thought this may be too researched already though? Should I stick to the child idea as it is more researched?

2. How can teaching and performing benefit one another? - the title for this is not so clear yet, because if I choose it I don' know whether to focus it more from a teaching or performing benefactor point of view? I would be the centre of this as I am a teacher and performer and thought I could look at people who do both compared to just perform/teach.

3. Do those who study drama and dance become more skilled dancers than those just studying dance? - I am interested in this topic and feel it will benefit my work most of all, however I think it may be hard to do whilst in Greece (but if I get ground work in place now it may be ok?!) and I don't think there is much research on this topic already.

These ideas have all mainly come out of the question 'benefits for children doing performing arts.' I realised this topic was too vague and extremely researched already.

A question I keep asking myself is: If I do these topics, will all of them allow me the right to put education (or something of that nature) in my degree title? I want education in my degree title because I am doing this degree to enhance my teaching career.

Activity 2

Activity 2

An influence that is not mentioned in table 3 when acting as a worker-researcher is the fact you will personally know the people who can help you complete the research. This is an advantage because you can keep on top of gathering data. This is due to the fact that you will constantly have contact with the people who may be completing a task or a questionnaire to help you. Therefore you can easily check on progress, gather information and refine as the task is completed – this allows action research to take place more easily.

Activity 1

Case Study: Detailed example study to answer a research question. Any research method can be used, one is chosen in accordance of appropriateness for the task.

Critique: Critical assessment. Analysis about a certain article/action/finding.

learning blog entry 2

When drifting in and out of sleep I always come up with ideas. I have thus realised that there is no point forcing thinking time as it only leaves me with worries that I am not going to come up with any creative inspirations.

While daydreaming a research idea came to me: How teaching the arts improves your own performance skills.
This idea is closely related to me as I am a performer and teacher.

What can I do?
• Think about how I myself have improved through teaching
• Observe other teacher/performers – questionnaire
• Observe performance and employability levels of just performers compared to those who teach aswell.
• Find writings on this subject – are there any?

What could I achieve from this?
• ???????????
• I can’t think of any valuable thing I could take away from this project apart from the interesting knowledge.
• Possibly get vocational schools to include a teaching module in their course to improve performers and also allow them to improve teaching skills, because so many performers teach as well as perform and after.

I have realised I work more productively when I am in the company of others. This is because I do not feel forced to concentrate, therefore concentration comes more naturally. And I also like being able to discuss ideas with other people. I discovered this by working alone and working in a room with other people (even if they ate doing unrelated things to me.) I find light and infrequent conversation between each other allows me to focus on the task in hand for longer. My need for conversation to keep me focussed might come from primary school in which I had a teacher who was insistent upon light chatter circulating constantly.

I keep switching between reading a research book and then fiction book for pure enjoyment. This way I do not get over-loaded with information and have time to divulge the research I have just learnt. The fiction book allows me to keep my brain active, compared to switching to watch television during which I am always falling asleep! I find I remember the research information better this way. This learning thought as inspired another research topic idea: Do pupils that do singing. drama and dance consecutively (eg. In a musical theatre class or round robin) become more skilled than pupils who do all 3 disciplines at different times in the week?

What can I do?
• Observe skills of children in separate classes compared to Musical theatre/Round robin
• Ask other teachers about their observations
• Read research material on this area – is there any?
• Think about my own experiences and friends


What could I achieve from this?
• Ideas of how best to run classes for myself and other schools
• How I should actively train myself

Learning Blog

What is the new module?
It is about planning a research project, learning how to research and ethical issues surrounding it.

What is research?
In my mind it is a process undertaken to provide knowledge of a subject and answer to a question.

What do I have to do?• Learn research related words
• Learn how to plan
• Chose degree title and give justification
• Learn about ethical practices
• Chose research project – workshop a number of ideas
• Learn about research subject chosen

Start thinking about.....
1. Two topics for your project
2. research to support that topic
3. Two things about the topics that you already know
4. Two things about the topics that you dont know
5. Question the things you know and dont know about the topics

Start doing ..........
1. Read guidance notes
2. Read book by Bell ( especially chapter 1 and 2 )
3. Read Paula's, Peter's and Rosemary's blog

What did I learn and achieve from the last module?
• Harvard referencing
• How to write academically
• How to write descriptively
• How to write to market something
• When different writing styles are appropriate and the difference between them
• How to reflect and analyse work in order to improve upon it
• My areas of interest and what inspires me, and what I am not interested in and understand why
• How to blog and use a blog as a professional tool
• I gained an improved CV and biography
• I used the writing styles in order to produce marketing items for my theatre school, plan/gain knowledge about what I aim to achieve with children and why parents should send their child to my school.

I read first 2 chapters of ‘Doing your research project’ by bell. Main things I learnt are:
• Different research approaches
• Find a personal knowledge priority of a topic interest in order to help form research question

Research Brainstorm
I tried to read handbook on computer and couldn’t focus on it. When I printed it out and could physically touch it my concentration was much higher and I was able to understand. Being able to do something physically, as simple as hold and highlight paper as I read heightens my ability to learn. My own enhancement of learning by doing has started me thinking why this is? – Research idea!

I am a dancer, it is a doing physical activity – I could focus my project on learning benefits of dance.

I teach children dance – I could focus my project on a certain age group.

I spoke to my tutor (Paula) on skype about the module as I was unable to attend the campus. After our conversation the module aim was much clearer. Paula made me realise I need to be the centre of my research project in order for it to be achievable in the time available.

I have so many ideas in my head, all based around the same topic – benefits of child development through performing arts. This is what I focussed my academic writing on. Doing that piece made me want to investigate more! Due to the fact I will be working as a performer in Greece when we have to do the proposed project and I am currently working as a teacher in Dubai I am worried I will not be able to do the proposed project. However I currently have no other formed ideas in my mind!

I definitely want to focus on something educational as I chose to do this degree to enhance my teaching career that I wish to pursue full-time when I stop performing. I don’t need this degree for my performing career as a dancer as it will only improve my theory and practice knowledge not performance ability. I want to have the word education in my degree title. Therefore I have to focus my project on something education based.

How can I access children doing dance when for research purposes when I am not teaching?
Talk to teachers I know and ask for co-operation
Ask some parents to help, and inform me of their child’s development
Visit dance schools in area I am living

What books may help inspire research idea performing arts education based?
Early years curriculum outline handbook – learnt about areas of development.
• Personal, social and emotional.
• Communication, language and literacy.
• Mathematical.
• Physical.
• Creative.
• Knowledge, understanding of the world.
Could focus research on a specific development area?
How can dance help them achieve these things?

The Art of Dance in Education – learnt about teaching models
• Professional
• Educational
Interested in how these increase child development
Which has more results?

new module!

Starting to think about the new module! Been 'highlighting happy' throughout the handbook, trying ot figure out exactly what to do! Already learnt quite a few new words, not sure what to do with them though!

Been bouncing ideas around my head about what my project could be about. I am finding having so much scope and no boundaries very daunting - what to choose, where to start! What ideas are other people having, maybe they could inspire me?! Currently thinking about researching 'the benefits of dance in physical development in 5-8 year olds' - does this sound like a valuable project and the right sort of title?

The benefits of Performing Arts on Child Development - draft 3

The Benefits of Performing Arts in Child Development

"Performing Arts Education is not about creating future artists. It's about enabling dream-making to happen in all students." (Horin 2008)
The above statement is in need of attention by all the cynics that are of the opinion the performing arts is just a way to fill time and is not worthy of academic respect. There is now substantial evidence to support that there are many educational and social benefits to doing performing arts. In the following article I hope to illustrate these benefits.

Many mothers take their young daughters to ballet. This is proven by the amount of ballet classes across the world littered with little girls. After completing a personal survey it was discovered that the main reason for this is simply because their daughter wants to wear pink and has seen Angelina Ballerina, not for beneficial development. However the latter reason should not be over-looked and time after time it is.

The amount of fathers that have not allowed or encouraged their son to take classes in the performing arts because it is ‘not manly’ (Hugh Lavery 2009) is staggering. If the benefits of children partaking in performing arts was more widely spread hopefully this would help parents to be more actively encouraging and enrol their child in to extra-curricular activities.

Research recently conducted by the University of Maryland (2007) focused on the linkage between children's participation in activities such as acting or music lessons and the positive outcomes in schools and a child’s emotional development and behaviour.

The research shows participation in performing arts is linked to positive outcomes in school, emotional development, family life and behaviour. ‘What's interesting is that kids not involved in any kid's activities were more socially immature and had a lower self-esteem’ (Horin, 2008 cited in Brightstars 2009)
Research shows that performing arts activities play a central role in cognitive, motor, language and social emotional development.

Doing dance has a tremendous impact on the growth of every child. There is strong evidence to show that it strengthens problem solving and critical thinking skills. As Hall has observed (2008 pp 5) “Dancing can also reduce obesity, guard against osteoporosis, improve posture and muscle strength and increase fitness generally”.

Acting and drama lessons improve intelligence and communication levels. Working with scripts helps improve reading and general knowledge skills and doing tasks such as improvisation develop imagination and self expression. Supporting evidence appears on the government website Performing Arts Local (2008) ‘...acting encourages self-discipline, diligence, self-expression, calmness, and fulfilment.’

Exposure to singing and music allows children to easily access emotions as songs hold different feelings and can quickly change. The quick mood changes in songs help children to realise emotions are not something to be scared of and change naturally. In a report titled ‘The benefits of Music on Child Development’ (2002), it is stated that the learning of music assists with primary mental abilities (verbal, perceptual, numeric, spatial) and motor-skills. Different styles of music introduce children to cultures across the world and make them more accepting of different races to their own.

According to the Report published by Australian Bureau of Statistics 42% of children aged between five and fourteen years of age participate in organised extracurricular activities, such as dance classes, singing, drama and playing musical instruments (Brightstars 2009). These children are proven to be better developed socially and academically.

Overall it can be seen that the performing arts provides many positive effects on a child’s development. There are countless classes in every country around the world providing the opportunity for children to develop with performing arts. The easy accessibility to performing arts classes paired with the evidence supporting the benefits to partaking in them will hopefully inspire more parents to sign their children up for classes be them male or female.

References
• Horin, A, 2008, ‘Busy Children appear to do Better’, The Sydney Morning Herald [online], 29th September. Available from http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/lifematters/busy-children-shown-to-do-better-20090407-9z0y.html [accessed on 16/11/2009]
• Spencer, A (alysx@hotmail.co.uk) (12/11/2009) Survey on Performing Arts Views, Personal email to H. Lavery (hughlavery@gmail.com)
• Horin, A, 2008, as above. Cited in http://www.brightstars.com.au/benefits-of-acting-classes-singing-classes-and-dance-classes.html [accessed on 16/11/2009]
• Hofferth, S., Kinney, D., & Dunn, J. (2007) The hurried child: Myth vs. reality. Life Balance: Biological, Psychological, and Sociological Perspectives on Lifestyle and Health. University of Maryland
• Hall, T, 2008, A Report to Government on Dance Education and Youth Dance in England, The Dance Review [online], Page 5, Available from: http://publications.dcsf.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=publications&ProductId=DCSF-00908-2007 [accessed 20/12/2009].
• Performing Arts Local, 2008. Why Enter the Performing Arts [online] http://www.performingartslocal.co.uk/why_enter_performing_arts.asp
• Borgese, P., Ciares, J., (2002), ‘The benefits of Music on Child Development’, http://www.paulborgese.com/report_benefitofmusic.html [accessed 24/12/2009]
• Brightstars, 2009. Cited in http://www.brightstars.com.au/benefits-of-acting-classes-singing-classes-and-dance-classes.html [accessed on 16/11/2009]