Literature source

Good source to find literature for arts in education: 

http://www.artsedsearch.org

Happy reading! 

Analysing Data

Recently within my practice we have had to fill out a staff questionnaire covering a wide range of  school issues including current curriculum, staff well being, leadership, professional development,, future goals.  Once all data had been correlated our Head teacher shared this with us and and asked for our views and opinions as a way to help analyse the data.

This was an interesting process and very much related to what we are doing in the course. It was interesting to hear others ideas on how they answered the questionnaire and how they felt others may have answered.

Something things that came up where interpretation, language/terminology, subjectivity, context, not relating to or having experience to the area asking about, having a bad day when answering the questionnaire, different working teams so have a different experience.

These are all things that I will take into consideration when analysing my data.

Buzzing Brain

This quote from my literature is becoming more and more relevant:

"You approach from one side and know your way about; you approach the same place from another side and no longer know your way about" (Fleming, 2012) 

Having started looking at arts in a different context and looking at them from a different side I am left feeling a bit like this

Some questions that have occurred and have got me asking further questions and wanting find out more are:

What should come under the term arts?
Should the arts be grouped together within education? or seen as separate art forms?
Is it necessary for children to be taught art forms in primary education?
How do you develop a child's creativity?
Is Dance loosing recognition as a creative opportunity as a result of being on the PE curriculum?
Should dance be taught by a specialist instructor?
Is it because teachers don't have the confidence and skills to deliver the subjects that they are getting dismissed?
Is enough being done to educate teachers on how to deliver arts subjects?
Should arts just be extra circular subjects?
How important is that children appreciate art?

If anyone has an ideas or wishes to discuss these topics please comment.

References
Flaming, M. (2012) The Arts in Education. Oxon, Routledge.

Don't under estimate the power of YOU

Tonight was my first discussion Skype since starting module 3. It was reassuring to hear others where at the same stage and questioning similar things to myself.

One of the key things that I have taken away is that don't under estimate yourself in the alignment within the inquiry. The literature reviews and interviews are to stimulate your thoughts not prove a point to anyone else, the interviews it is how you interpret the answers, when analysing question your role in the process- did you ask leading questions, is that why you got those answers? did you not give enough detail or be clear enough?

One of the main questions I wanted to discuss was should you give questions to participants before hand to have a look and think about before hand (something that participants have asked me). The answer - if it makes sense to you and your inquiry. 

Week 2- The Journey so far...

So far I am really enjoying the inquiry process. I have got stuck into my literature review and begun reviewing a book called 'The Arts In Education' by Mike Flemming. I have continued going to a coffee shop and have found that I have been more productive as I am there for a purpose with very little distractions.

I have decided to make continual notes as I am reading- noting key findings, concepts, theories, perspectives, ideas, relationships, links to my practice, my thoughts and plan to conclude/ analyse these once I finish the book (hopefully today).

Some awakening ideas thats have come from Fleming, with regards to the inquiry process, that maybe of use to others-

Research is 

"the systematic advancement of knowledge"

Considering language when looking at a topic 

"related concepts shift in meaning in different contexts" 

The importance of learning theory

"thinking can be expanded prejudices challenged and fulfilment enriched"  

Definition of understanding

"A process of refining and deepening making connections and seeing things in a new way" 

Hope everyone is getting on well.

References
Flaming, M. (2012) The Arts in Education. Oxon, Routledge.

Round 3 of 3

It crossed my mind whilst listening in to the induction call, last Friday, that this time last year I was part of my first ever group Skype call not having a clue on what I was really embarking upon. One year on I am now about to start the final module feeling full endorsed with the notion of studying, a strong sense and love for my practice and excited about the next few weeks with the hunger to expand my knowledge and personal/professional self.

In my break between modules I haven't really stopped Ive had numerous interviews to begin my teacher training and I am pleased to say I have been offered and accepted a salaried school direct teacher training placement to start in September. Alongside passing my numeracy QTS skills test, still do Literacy.

I am now ready to get back into the final module and looking further into:

'How do the Arts manifest within the UK state education system at primary level?'

I took the idea of Adesola's to outsource a coffee shop for studying in. I cant quite decide if this a good or bad idea as I think my coffee addiction may grow stronger but my purse will get smaller. For now though I am enjoying and embracing as I look out at the beautiful view of Scarborough beach whilst sipping my cappuccino and begin to start reading module three handbook.

Good luck to everyone as they start the final module and remember to trust in the process.