Sunday discussions went well – in the morning we
talked about a range of topics converging on methodology – how we go about
things. How we notice significant things - things at sparkle in our memory or
imagination when we consider an idea. The conversation suggested that this was
about ‘narrowing down’ ideas to better manage them. In other words not to be
overwhelmed by the on-going growth or wonder of finding out more but to follow
the trails of the things that compel you and inspire you as a starting point of
finding out more.
We talked about the use of confidence to
keep you moving forward and not second guessing yourself. Then we linked the
points we were making in the conversation to positivist and non-positivist methodological
approaches. We noted that a non-positivist approach is really the design model
the course calls for. It does not involve certainly as a guiling principle so
the uncertainty of the wealth of ideas people were experiencing (the feel of
sometimes being lost) could be seen as part of the terrain of this kind of
research approach. It is not about fixed facts it is about a process or journey
to asking deep questions.
So maybe some of this is about shifting our
perception of what research is and what it can do. We talked about it being
like layers, or watercolour paints that bleed into each other rather than about
finding out an answer to a fixed question.
It became clear reflection and reflectivity are key. Also how the past
shapes our present perceptions of education and research.
We talked then about how a change of mind
is not isolated to the mind but a shift in approach to everything because
everything is connected. Research is about being sensitive to how even the
smallest shift in experience reverberates across our understanding of
everything.
People in the conversation and who are
posting on it also are:
Parimala
Raymond
Alice
Jo
Helen
In the afternoon we talked about
objectivity, artistic v academic, learning through dancing. This conversation included
talking about the low value dance has in some peoples hierarchy of learning. “wow you can do a degree in dance – I’ve
heard you can do a degree in anything nower days.!!’ This returned us in many
ways to the positivist non-postivist of the morning. The value of dance, or the
academic-ness of the arts etc… are measured differently depending on what model
for understanding what the world is you use (ontology). And what model for
understanding what knowledge you use (epistemology). Whatever your area of scholarship
you first need to have a theoretical framework (a sense of where you stand ontologically
and/or epistemologically) this is because you do not want to spend all your time
justifying what you are doing in some models your work will not be valuable.
You want to know the framework you are working in order to make sure you keep
moving forward and challenge yourself meaningfully. This awareness of where you
stand is important because otherwise you are fighting the personal fight of
your own study against gigantic models for research that have nothing to do
with what you are doing. In other words, you cannot spend your time persuading
yourself you are academic after a history of not feeling academic – you may
very well not be in the terms you are setting out. But you can shift what your perception of academic
is to better understand the learning you have done. Then the question is not ‘artistic
or academic?’ ‘It is artistic academia how and where do I fit in?’ Then you can spend you time finding the theory
and thinking and frameworks that make sense for your embodied approach to the
world.
We talked abit about the blog post on
Theory, theoretical frameworks and ethics (see below posts) . It only has one
comment please comment there too.
The pm discussion was with:
Davis
Michelle
Emma
Maite
Please have a look at each other’s posts on
the two discussions, comment there and here.
Helen and I reminded you the Dancing and
writing Professional Practice Summer
Intensive is fun and inspiring and helpful and open for registration now. See post below.
Adesola
