Contemplating starting my professional inquiry filled me with dread and fear...thankfully after looking over reader 4 I feel slightly more at ease, as expressed by Judi Marshall Inquiry develops and works hand in hand with self-reflective practice and practice in action.
'Inquiry involves intent, a sense of purpose. This may be held tacitly.
There may be multiple intents, in accord or discord. Often intents
unfold, shift, clarify or become more complex. Working with this aspect
of inquiry is vital to self reflective practice.'
'I state overtly that an issue, event, theme, dilemma or whatever is an inquiry for me.
This is a deliberate means to keep my questioning open and to help it develop.'
'I state overtly that an issue, event, theme, dilemma or whatever is an inquiry for me.
This is a deliberate means to keep my questioning open and to help it develop.'
Both practices are also vital to Work based learning introducing the many similarity's between WBL and Inquiry. Work based learning uses the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging learning to develop through working and the practices which take place on a daily basis. Similarly an inquiry can evolve from questions, situations and thoughts created by or from our workplace proving the key role Self - reflective practice and practice in action play in both.
Professional inquiry requires in-depth knowledge and examination into the key skills required to be a successful professional in your chosen field, in my opinion this can not truly be known unless you are within the profession its self. There is only so much information we can learn from books and second hand learning, the real learning begins when we are engrossed within it, finding out for ourselves and evolving to become the best we can possibly be. This being said each and every person is different and learns differently as previously looked at during earlier readers however I do feel this is greatly relevant to professions with a practical nature. No longer can it just be relied upon to look good on paper, experience is needed every step of the way. This is now much more widely seen as the best place to learn 'on the job', Emphasizing the importance and relevance of Work Based Learning.
WORK
EXPERIENCE
QUESTIONS/EVOLVEMENT/SITUATIONS
QUEST FOR ANSWERS/
INVESTIGATION/INQUIRY
'Bell 2005' Defines research as ''seeking through methodical processes to add to one's own body of knowledge and, hopefully, to that of others, by the discovery of non-trivial facts and insights''
'Add to ones body' is a key point in this quote, we need an initial 'body', thought or question, which we can create from experience to build upon with research. The two go hand in hand with both initial developing and final lines of inquiry. We use both as an investigative tool for abstract ideas as well as 'case studies' helping us to gain insight from other professionals and organisations within our practice. Books, Journals, Blogs and the internet can all aid the research process providing invaluable knowledge not necessarily attainable through self experience.
All the above play key roles in the development and success of professional inquiry's
Reflecting on Module one and initial learnings from Module two I have created a number of questions which I am hoping may spark a starting point towards my inquiry, the questions still cover quite a varied range of topics at this point as I want to ensure I gain as much knowledge as possible and keep my options open.
I have asked several fellow professionals to fill in and comment on the questions below...
How do you believe your personal energy and mood affects others/pupils during class?
What do you believe to be the most effective way for your Children/ adults to learn within a weekly or one off class setting?
Do you feel exams and performance situations relate to a child's progress and development within dance?
Do you see a difference between children who participate in exams and performance situations and those who do not?
In your opinion what teaching styles/strategies help to guarantee the retainment of Choreography/information and a child's learning.
When delivering a one day dance workshop in a school environment who should be the main disciplinarian...the main school teacher or the visiting facilitator? Why?
Do you think dance plays an important role in mainstream education?
What are your feelings on the Primary and Secondary dance curriculums, are there any ways in which you think dance could be developed within the curriculum?
I will post the completed questionnaire in due course.
