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.