Module two focus - assumptions

We had a discussion today with a Module Two focus thinking about designing inquiry projects.
We talked about the useful role of 'assumption' - that is looking at what you are interested in or thinking about and asking yourself what assumptions you are making. Then having a look at the assumption rather than the question.

We talked about how important it is remember Module Two is about designing an inquiry (not doing the inquiry). Keep going back to the inquiry template (the areas you need to address in the final proposal) and ask yourself how what you are doing informs different areas of that. Rather than be seduced into 'answering a question'.!!

When designing the inquiry design something that allows you to have answers you don't expect.

Use the literature and other peoples artwork to help you find nuances that lead to ethical considerations.

Leave time to do your MORE form once you feel you have a grip on the topic and draft shape of the inquiry.

Noticing to Wondering : passive to proactive

Today in the morning MAPP DTP discussion group we got to talk about different experiences teaching particularly the relevance of teacher training when teaching dance. We were talking about how dance teaching is respected/considered/valued and were able to draw on the groups experiences of teaching across five different countries (UK, Hungary, Norway, Switzerland and Greece).

After considering issues within this topic Helen and I encouraged everyone to take the next step in the discussion which is to start to theorize about the topic. To move from just noticing to wondering.

Wonder how this fits with existing literature and discourse on dance pedagogy. Wonder how it can relate to what you are doing NOW in the course. Wonder about the deeper implications behind each other’s comments. Wonder what your own assumptions are. This is moving from face value to the layers MA level work expects you to engage in.

Those in the discussion will be posting their thoughts on their blogs have a look at where the conversation took them.

We also talked about analysis – Barbara said about her interviews ‘I got different answers than I expected’. This is the heart of starting the analysis in Module Three. But across all the modules, focus on where things are unexpected and make you think differently.  In Barbara’s case analysis is about why what she had expected to hear was not what she heard in the interviews? What assumptions does she now notice she went into the inquiry with? Why were the answers different? What does the literature say on the topics that differed….?

Barbara is going to post further on how asking yourself questions or being asked questions by peers helps you clarify your thinking. https://barbarabesque.blogspot.co.uk

Michelle is going to post on how she had not thought about Barbara’s practice in terms of the types of movement techniques there are being taught in the UK. So, hearing Barbra’s work helped her to think differently about her own. http://chelleymapp.blogspot.co.uk

Sam is going to post reflections on her own practice in terms of approaches to teaching different movement styles. https://dixieogivar.blogspot.co.uk

Agata is going to post on the thinking about the connection between how difficult many professionals within dance find talking and wondering if this adds to the low status of dance as a field of study in many people’s eyes. Agata can you post your blog address in the comment below.

Maria has posted about learning and how as discussed above we almost have to witness ourselves in process to theorize and analyse and contextualise our learning at MA level. http://marianikoldance.blogspot.co.uk

What do you feel?

Adesola

Sunday - Talking

Sundays Skype chat was great. We talked about the importance of talking to people about your ideas. How when you chat to people about what you are thinking about you are forced to start to articulate some of your thoughts. Thoughts are changed by language so as you speak you are having to pin down the thoughts in the narrow framework of the language you are using (Dewey). This gives the idea a sharpness or clarity that allows you to almost step back and look at what you are saying. Tara is going to write more on this. “talking to people not just being stuck in a book!!” http://dancetara.blogspot.com/2016/04/module-cross-over.html

We talked about not needing to have all the answers – the difference in approach people noticed in themselves between writing their reflective essay in Module One and writing it in Module Three. This difference tends not to be a move toward more answers but a move toward an embracing of more questions!!! Julie is going to post on this – also thinking about intuitive learning = no ‘right’ answer. https://plus.google.com/112028470007844481818/posts

Her thoughts might be in the comments below so have a look there too.

We talked about how the Professional artefact is also about talking to people. It is about making something to explain your whole inquiry process in the language of your profession. (Most people do not speak academic-ese, so we need to explain in a different format). Tammy is thinking about this Please post a link to your post in the comments below Tammy.

We talked about assumptions which are so integral to shared language. Questioning assumptions brings new meaning. Sam will write more about this

http://samanthakettle.blogspot.com

So we talked about each others ideas and shared what we had been doing. Sam talked about her inquiry topic of the relationship between music and dance . As we talked about this new avenues emerged for her. Joy is going to write a little more about the relationship between music and dance. Please post a link to your post in the comments below Joy.

Lastly – NOW is the time to get on with it (whatever it is you are handing in). trust it will be ok and just get a draft under way!!! I always feel while something is in my head it still has the potential to be brilliant, exactly what I imagine it to be. When I start to actually make it, in the bare light of out-side of my thoughts I see all its failings. I don’t want to start writing because while its inside me it is still great. But if I don’t start writing it will never be ‘anything’: it may not be a brilliant essay but it will not be a bad one either it just won’t be. Better to be brave and attempt something than have nothing at all.