Our journey is reaching a peak!

I feel I have neglected blogging over the past few weeks, but that is not to say I have been idle! Proof reading multiple times to try and make sure i am not waffling and making clear concise and impactive reasoning behind my thinking. Editing and re-editing my artefact numerous times to make sure it is not just visually effective but audibly effective as well.

If I tweak it anymore I think it will lose the simplicity I was going for, so here it goes today is the day for submission!!!! Absolutely terrified to hit that button, in fear of some sudden realisation.

I hope everyone else is feeling ready and I can't wait to see what others have produced!

Lets do this!!!!!

Skype - 9.5.18

Skype Call - 17/04/18

Slightly delayed, but for obvious reasons I have been busy! I usually blog directly after the skype but the call had left me with so many ideas for my essay that I wanted to get going straight away.

In the call, we spoke about all 3 element of inquiry: Critical Review; Artefact; Oral Presentation. Through my ever developing SIG, we clarified each elements use and what we were trying to communicate through each.

In essence, each element is not a brand new creation but each is an adaptation of the other. The audience is the main determiner of tone with the artefact being slightly less formal than the review. Of course this will depend on what form your artefact takes.

We also talked about how each of us could have benefited from a 'Top Tips' fact sheet during the course. There have been many occasions that I have a realisation and think, if only i had known that earlier.

When SIGs save the day!!!!!!

As the first draft deadline draws closer, certain worries and doubts creep up.  No need to panic, because there are others who probably feel the same as you. Introducing SIG, aka Emma, such a lovely Skype chat this evening. We both aired our queries, tried to help each other the best we could, generally giving the support you would hope to receive from a peer. As our inquiry's lie under the same educational umbrella, we were able to share some fresh insights as to ways to look at explaining the process and analysing data.

But most of all we just helped to lift each others spirits!!!!!

Bringing it altogether

I have finally reached the stage where I am drawing all elements of my inquiry together. I had conducted my interviews and read through literature till I thought I would burst with information.

However, as I have started to type up my literature review, I have looked closer at some of the quotes I deemed important. From this, I realised assumptions could be made or further meaning was needed to clarify. This has lead to further literature being sourced and a deeper knowledge being gained.

One thing I am aware of in my essay writing, is my repetitive use of sentence starters. I seem to latch onto one and re use it, at the moment it seems to be 'As a result,'. I then found a useful website with multiple sentence starters split into categories of use. Here is the link, maybe some other will find use from it.

http://www2.eit.ac.nz/library/ls_guides_sentencestarters.html

Imagine Dragons - creativity sets you free

Last night, I went to watch Imagine Dragons - Evolve tour at Manchester MEN Arena. In between songs, the singer explained that before he 'got into' music, he was depressed and seeing a therapist. He described his view of the world as being grey and feeling numb. Through music, he said he felt free. This came as quite a surprise to me, as he was such a captivating showman. He went on to say he was actually quite introverted as a person, but the moment he entered the stage he became hugely extroverted and that through his music he could release and express himself.

Although, my inquiry relates to how the arts and dance are used in education and how they effect children. I found this relevant, child or not, we have a need to express ourselves through whichever outlet and it was interesting to hear, that it was only in his late teenage years he found this method of release within the arts. If the arts were of more importance within education, might he have found this earlier?

SIG's - drawing on each others experiences

Today, myself, Lauren Harper and Emma Fitchett organised our own skype call. All our inquiries are based around arts in education, so it was interesting to hear each others thoughts on literature and our own experiences. Everytime I feel as if I have a break through, it has been through the sharing of knowledge within my SIG.

Sometimes, it has been through the sharing of my own thoughts, that I have experienced a light bulb moment.

Through answering a few of Lauren's questions, which she hopes to use within her interviews. We sparked new questions and discussions, that I feel were beneficial to all of our enquiries. From this call, I have added and adapted a few of my own questions. In the hope that it will bring more depth to my data.

Skype 27/02/18 - We're only human after all

After this evenings skype call, I have been left feeling slightly more relaxed. When conducting our inquiries, we need to remember and keep reminding ourselves that we are dealing with human beings that live through many emotions and changes of thought. That includes ourselves.

Just as there may be human elements that affect the participants in our interviews, such as, mood or weather or the days events. We as the researcher may also be effected, which in turn may effect how we ask the question, resulting possibly in different response from the participant.

Human elements, should be acknowledged within our analysis, not ignored. The point of analysis is to draw some understanding from our data. Part of that understanding is how we got the data in the first place and why that data may have been produced.

Using triangulation in research

As I was reading through some literature, I thought it may be beneficial to bring together my experiences that relate to themes within the literature. I then remembered about using triangulation in our inquiry to get a well rounded analysis. By laying the page out like this I can see where I am lacking in each aspect of the triangle. This will also help me compare and contrast my findings.

I would be grateful to anyone who has any ideas on this??

Literature Review

On page 18 of Reader 7, it recommends to read Blaxter, Hughes and Tight's 'How to Research' (2001). Below are two screenshots I found useful:

Reader 7 - Literature Review and Action Planning

Out of the 3 handbooks, I have found this the most engaging and understandable. Perhaps it is all the work we have done previously, that has laid the foundations for this final stage in our BAPP journeys, that has helped.

To help my self and my fellow BAPP er's on their journey, I have picked out key points that have helped me get started.

Module Three Handbook 2017-2018 p.12

Having the different stages laid out in this way has brought clarity to what is required throughout and by the end of this module.

At first, Stage 5 seems quite daunting but the handbook breaks it down further to display everything that needs to be included:

Critical Review

Title Page

Introduction - 500 words

Evaluation of the Inquiry Process  - 2500 words

Analysis of the Findings - 2500 words

Critical Reflection - 500 words

Biography and Appendices

Professional Artefact

Dvd

Poster

Powerpoint

Website

Audio

YouTube video

Oral Presentation

10mins +10min Q&A

Literature Review

website * books * audio-visual * reserchers * policy-makers * practioners

Purpose of review (Hart 1998)

• distinguish what has been done from what needs to be done
• discovering important variables
• gaining a new perspective
• identifying ideas through relationships, establishing context

A review may become an important element in analysing your findings. Findings may agree or oppose current debates.

Relevant questions to refer to-

Who is the author/publisher of the text?

When was the text written?

Who is the intended audience?

What is the authors' intention?

Planning Strategies

Reader 7 recommends this site: 

https://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillsactionplanning.htm 

The site gives clear explanations and examples of how to prepare for your research.

The following image explains each aspect of planning clearly. Once on the website you can click each section to see a more detailed explanation.

As requested on the Module Three Feedback Form here is my attempt at a GANT chart.

First skype session - 20.02.18

We are not trying to reinvent the wheel, we are contributing to it.

Literature reviews - opposing opinions are just as important as supporting opinions
                               
The answers are sometimes right in front of you


When compiling literature, think of yourself as the host of a party and the different pieces of literature are the guests. You wouldn't just invite male guests, so don't just use academic articles. Not everyone at the party has to be friends, but they share something in common. With your literature, they live under the same umbrella but do not necessarily compliment each other. Choose who your VIP guests are and who is there to make up the numbers in support.