The Skype discussion this morning
seemed to come at just the right time. I'd just been getting started
at looking into various literature which may relate to my inquiry
topic- but I felt uncommitted to the process as I was still unsure on
my specific question. How could I go onto step two in the cycle
without complete step one? Well it appears I would have been waiting
a very long time!
It seems I have been missing the mark
with the purpose of Module Two, and as Adesola signified-
“It's all about the process”.
Something I have to drill into myself time and time again as I
desperately pursue definitive answers. But what an inflexible way of
thinking? Allowing myself to remain open minded can only open more
doors. One of the main things I took away was the information stating
that the inquiry question will be clearest and the END of MODULE 3.
Module 3! yes- The FINAL MODULE! One of those distant concepts I
couldn't possibly imagine ever being in the position of undertaking-
yet I don't need to know my exact question until THEN? And there I
am, trying to grasp it before the end of the week.
In some ways, this is a huge relief. It
feels less like grasping and more akin to curiously exploring-which
is necessary when undertaking such a huge task as an inquiry topic
(See my last post for the factors which affect an inquiry topic
decision). I'm quite a fan of imagery, so I'm trying to visualise the
approach a bit like the rolling of a snowball.
Figure 1: The Snowball Effect
The snowball represents my journey in
the cycle of building a practice based inquiry. The cycle won't just
consist of one rotation, instead I will work through the six steps
multiple times. Each new step will inform the other and I should
expect to be gaining more insight and knowledge which informs my
inquiry every time I engage in the cycle (Like the cumulative effect
of a snowball rolling down a hill). The key point to remember is that
I will continually develop and adjust my idea according to what I am
in the process of learning. In exploring outwards, I will discover
things I didn't know I didn't know which is where the seeds of new
knowledge are born.
So how would this relate to the inquiry
theme I have been pondering about? Say I begin with the starting
point of wanting to discover “Is there a link between teaching
approaches and the mental health of students?”I have created the following diagram which helps me to understand the cycle a little more:
And
then what? The cycle will begin again- then again- then again.
As
reflect, see what I now know, see how I learn,
Then
I'll plan, my plans will change, how does it feel when plans change?
And
the process will never stop- not even at the end of this course. My
practice is a process and as a Teacher I will always be a
learner......
Oh,
and on a side note- I am now one of the student representatives so
I'd really appreciate hearing from you if you have any thoughts about
the BAPP study course. The aim is to feedback to make improvements
and highlight what is also working really well.
And
of course, any thoughts on the Skype sessions today and what you took
away from it would be great to hear!
References
Dewey, J. (1909). How we think. London: Heath.
Figure 1 (2017, July 20). Retrieved February 6, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWpEBUgRAcQ
Weiss, R. S. (1995). Learning from strangers: the art and method of qualitative interview studies. New York, NY: Free Press.
Hey Sophie. I really liked your 'snowball effect' analogy as the inquiry is an accumulation of your own knowledge and experiences as well as other's. Good luck with your research, I hope a clearer inquiry topic comes to you.
ReplyDeleteGreat snowball analogy Sophie !
ReplyDeleteI’m very similar to you , in that I like immediate answers and want to know ‘the question ‘.
All will become clear as we work our way through I’m sure :)