Knowing Knowledge Revisited..

As suggested in the Module 3 handbook, I am revisiting Knowing Knowledge by George Siemans. I feel like I am reading it with new eyes, now in Module 3 I have a greater understanding of the message the book is sending.

In particular, the idea that the many different parts of ourselves holds different perspective - points for perceiving and (filtering) knowledge (Siemans, 2006) 

This made me think of the above meme, not only do we have our own perspectives of our practice but those in our networks and communities have their own perspectives too. My data collection tools are literature review and a reflection journal. I am feeling very anxious that am not holding interviews or surveys as my research outcome depends solely on me working reflexively and being able the critically reflect on my own thoughts.

However my re-reading of Siemans Knowledge flow cycle has reminded me that the process of the inquiry is to further my own ideas and knowledge and not to solve a problem. 

The following stages;

 'Personalization... at this stage, we bring new knowledge to ourselves through the experience of internalization, dialogue or reflection.

Implementation... is the final stage, where action occurs and feeds back into the personalization stage. Our understanding of a concept changes when we are acting on it, versus only theorizing or learning about it.'
(Siemans, 2006 pg 6)


This is where I feel I am at the moment. The literature I am reading is giving me new information to incorporate into my practice, it is giving me new things to think about as I teach and bringing new processes to my reflections.

Where are you at?  Is there anything you are reading at the moment that is helping clarify your process so far? Or anything that has thrown you off into a new direction?


Bibliography

I am a dance teacher. (2019). [image] Available at: https://www.memesmonkey.com/topic/dance [Accessed 8 Oct. 2019].
Siemens, G. (2006). Knowing knowledge. [Milton Keynes]: [s.n.].

Some light bedtime reading...

I am now officially into the first week of my literature review, and I have found the best way to concentrate is to go to bed at 8pm with my post-it notes and I am currently Frames of Mind - The Theory of Multiple Intelligences by Howard Gardner.

I familiarised myself with his work in my Module 2 literature review but now I am reading his work with more focus on the Ethical considerations of his theory and applying this to my practice as a dance teacher.

I have enjoyed how reflexive Gardner's writing is, at no point does he portray his theory as 'The be-all and end-all' and for every intelligence, he highlights the cultural perspectives and considerations of disabilities and different cognitive abilities.

His introduction hi-lights that there is no definitive explanation for intelligence and probably will never be one. And in fact, we need to think critically about our attachment to the word 'Intelligence' and also apply this thought to many things that we label.

'There is a universal human temptation to give credence to a word to which we have become attached, perhaps because it has helped us to understand a situation better.... Intelligence is such a word; we use it so often that we have come to believe in its existence, as a genuine tangible, measurable entity, rather than as a convenient way of labelling some phenomena that may (but may well not) exist.' (Gardner, 1993 pg 69)

My reading also reminded me why I found interest in this topic, I hate the idea that we are all measured by the same system when our talents and intelligence are different.

'There must be more to intelligence than short answers to short questions- answers that predict academic success; and yet, in the absence of a better way of thinking about intelligence, and of better ways to assess an individual's capabilities, this scenario is destined to be repeated' (Gardner, 1993 pg 3)

This has made me think about how we measure dance ability. Is it only those with the highest kicks, best technique and performance that are the best dancers? 

Gardner places his theory of intelligence across lots of different cultures from the Anang of Nigeria who by the age of five sing hundreds of songs, play several percussion instruments and perform dozens of intricate dance movements (Gardner, 1993) and how skills that to the western world may seem primitive actually require a high level of intelligence. Such as in Kikuyu in Kenya, a young child is taught how to recognize every head of livestock in his family's herd from its colour, markings and size and type of its horns. (Gardner, 1993)


How would these children fair in an audition? They clearly have remarkable talents but these would not necessarily be tested if they were just mirroring a choreographer. Or their talents would not be realised if they were just judged on a dance they had presented by themselves.

Instead of looking at the aesthetic of a performer and that being the marker of their talent, could we look further into their intelligence so that they can develop from a deeper place?



Bibliography
Gardner, H (1993) Frames of Mind The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, Fontana Press.

Through The Fog

(Symmetry Magazine, 2009)

Wednesday was the first group discussion shared with all modules for me this term. I think a lot of us joined the call with the hope that the discussion would help create some clarity through the fog that is the first few weeks of the term.

I am familiar with THE FOG! It's been present at the beginning of all 3 modules for me. Like the beginning of a new day, it's early and dark and a haze lingers across your line of sight.

However I now take comfort in the fog, it means that I am in the process of adding more to my learning. I'm aware there shouldn't be a clear answer and as was mentioned on the call, I need to trust in my ability to think critically and reflect on my journey so far.

In using the processes I have learnt, I can visually map where my thoughts are and start looking for themes. I can record my thoughts in my journal so that they marinade and develop substance.

I have taken time re-reading my Module 2 inquiry and although it's a bit daunting that I am now changing my data collection methods, it reminded me WHY I choose this subject.

I am looking into the relationship between Dance Teaching and Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. This idea first came to me in Module 1 when I reflected on one of my classes where a pupil asked "How many steps they needed to take?" It made me think that I use music counts and descriptions of left, right, left but very rarely do I say " Take 3 steps!"

I am not a numbers person but looking at Howards Gardner's theory made me think that maybe some of my pupils are, and they would have a better chance understanding my teaching if I used techniques that spoke to their Mathematical - Logical Intelligence.

In Module 2, my literature review comprised mainly of Gardner's work through books and interviews, scholars that supported Gardner's theory and have applied it to dance teaching and scholars that stated the Theory was often misused and may narrow pupils learning.

In Module 3, I now plan to explore further literature of Intelligence Theories (without getting lost down a rabbit hole) and to find what other Theories are being used in education.

I would love to discuss anyone's experiences that made you question past or current teaching methods whether you were the teacher or pupil. Or if anyone currently in education has had experiance in theories or methods that may be transferable into dance or teaching in the arts.

If you would like to know more about Howard Gardners Theory and test your Intelligence there is more on one of my previous blog - Multiple Intelligences - Where do you fit in?

It will be great to hear your thoughts.

Photo CreditSymmetry Magazine (2009). Dancing with Physicists. [image] Available at: https://www.symmetrymagazine.org/article/august-2009/dancing-with-physicists [Accessed 27 Sep. 2019].

What I wish I knew last year....

I can't believe how much has changed in a year. I remember my first Skype call this time last year, and I was sat there thinking 'What have I got myself into?' I had already read through the module handbook and was totally clueless.

I can honestly say, I had no need to worry. Through discussion, reflection and a trust that it will all become clear as you start to work through the Module Handbook, I am looking forward to starting Module 3.

Today's Skype call was more about the administration of the course. Where to find information on Uni Hub and how to best utilize the learning community. Here are a few of the things I have found helpful through my last 2 Modules.

Blogs - Reading List
To ensure I stay up to date with the newest blogs in our learning community I made a Reading List on Blogger. This then appears like a news feed, enabling me to leave comments and engage more.

Don't be afraid to just say Hello - 
As Adesola said on today's call even if you are still processing your thoughts on a blogs content, its nice to just comment. Hi, Great Blog or I enjoyed reading this. It's nice to know that there are people reading your work.

Labels

I have found labels helpful to reference my work enabling to look back at specific subjects that I have blogged about or to find key words or themes that have carried across the different modules.

I have also found them invaluable when I have felt a bit lost or stuck. I have often used the labels on a supervisors blog to get a better idea of a subject. For example - Literature Reviews, Adesola has 16 blog posts on Literature Reviews, so I will have a look through and its likely that there will be information that will give me more insight or comments from past students sharing there ideas.

Blogs can be short and sweet, and don't always have to be written. Think about alternate ways to share your thoughts or ideas. Images, Videos, and Photos of your brainstorming sessions. Your blog will become another form of diary in which you can reflect on throughout the modules.




Long Distance Library 
Today we discussed taking time to navigate Unihub and see whats available. I regret fully doing this early on. There were books on the reading list that are not available online and I feel I didn't take full advantage of the resources available to me as a long distance student.

There is a guide on the Librarians Introduction on Unihub on how to register to order books to your home address. (Please note - Email removed for security) 

Dear Diary....

Start keeping a diary of your practice from today. It took me a while to pick apart my practice in order to see it in new ways and keeping a diary definitely helped. At first I just wrote what I had done that day and then started breaking it down into lens as I moved through the course. 

I hope these tips have been helpful. I look forward to hearing what your tips may be, after all we are always learning. 

Back To School

Wow! Where did the summer go? It feels like only a few weeks ago I nervously hit send on Turn It In to officially send off my Module 2 Inquiry Plan and in just a few short weeks I will be embarking on that plan.

After over 4 months off uni, its time to mentally and physically prepare myself for the intense 12 week period ahead. One thing that I have learnt so far from the previous 2 modules is to bring the task at hand back to my practice. Yes, I may be a bit rusty to start, like taking a dance class after some time off, my muscles will be tight, my movements not as fluid and natural. Certain terminology may elude me, but with practice, my muscle memory will kick in and by reflecting on my journey so far I will begin to reimagine my plan and hopefully after some time off be able to bring new thought to it.

I plan to re-read my blogs and those of my fellow students to remind myself of the journey I have taken so far. I will look through my plan with fresh eyes and look forward to discussing my feedback. 

This term discipline is key, I have pre-arranged childcare and have set times and days to ensure that my work stays consistent and on plan. As much as I am nervous about the module ahead, I am also very excited to get started knowing that with hard work and commitment I will have a degree.

It will be great to network with our BAPP community again and listen to new voices starting the course. Please feel free to comment if anyone has any questions, I would love to receive a few words to sum up how you are all feeling right now.

Let the journey recommence.........

Image credits

getty images/iStockphoto (2019). Back to school. [image] Available at: https://www.istockphoto.com/gb/photos/back-to-school?assettype=image&sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=back%20to%20school [Accessed 28 Aug. 2019].

Keeping it simple

I plan to create a visual map for my literature review, I have been collecting literature throughout my inquiry planning that I will use for examples of different perspectives and discourses but I wanted to make it more visual and wanted to include images of the key scholars and theorist I have been researching. One of these is Howard Gardner, I have read through some (not all he has over 30 books) of his key books, articles on google scholar and watched interviews on youtube.

It was only when I realised I needed an image of him that I simply googled 'Howard Gardner' this is when I had a total OMG moment and slapped my own forehead, why hadn't I done this before???? 

Image - Pinterest  - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/769482286304388853/

Howard Gardner has 2 dedicated websites, with questions and answer pages, I can even follow him on twitter and he has over 5000 hashtags on Instagram! I had been so wrapped up in finding literature through 'reputable sources' that I hadn't done a basic google search. 
This realisation has helped me find new literature to add to my research and reminded me to sometimes Keep It Simple. 

The Practicalities of Practice Based Inquiry

As we are nearing the end of Module 2  it was really helpful to have a Skype Discussion with the focus on the Practicalities of doing an inquiry. 

I had already drafted my inquiry plan and sent it for feedback, but the call reminded me that discussion can help you see things from different angles. As we were discussing how we are going to consider Data Protection of our Data Collection we discussed password protecting computer documents this helped me re-consider how I am going to keep my notes for my observations. Instead of a notebook to store my thoughts and observations, I can keep them securely on my laptop. 

We also discussed, how we are planning to note take and how this can affect our interviewee or participant. I plan to observe my fellow dance teachers at my place of employment over the course of a few weeks and plan to make my observations as unobtrusive as possible. For this reason, I feel typing will be off-putting in a lesson setting plus I will find it difficult to type and observe at the same time, so I have planned to take notes on paper, which I will be able to shred once I have typed them into a word document that I can then password protect. It was also suggested that we consider back-ups of our information, such as an external hard drive or pen drive, that can also be password protected. 

It did take a while for us all to get in the right mindset of thinking of practicalities, Adesola suggested we start thinking like we have hired an assistant to help carry out our Inquiry Plan, this is to remind us that we have to consider how we are planning to carry out each step and how we are going to explain the reasoning behind these steps.

We also briefly discussed analysis and how we can be prepared for many different outcomes, it was thought-provoking to consider that sometimes if there are gaps in literature or you do not get the co-operation from participants that you were hoping for that this is all information for analysis. For example, if you are contacting someone to interview about Support in the Arts or Guidance in Career choices and they do not get back to you, Could this be considered as a lack of support or guidance??

I will be applying these thoughts and discussions to my final draft, I have also received my feedback and I am pleased that I have made many good points, and only need to re-word a few paragraphs.
I do however have a lot of work to do putting together my Literature Review, I am planning to create a Map similar to my Module 1 Diagram. 

Good Luck to everyone finalising your drafts, if anyone wants to share how you are getting on or any thoughts you have had after recent Skype Calls it will be great to hear from you.