Module 2 Feedback

Feedback Analysis

My feedback from Module 2 has given me a starting point for Module 3, to start considering what is needed to progress to the end.  The main points I need to reflect on are:

• Definition and Clarity- I need to think carefully about my wording to ensure that I am defining exactly what I mean.  It appears that my inquiry questions are too broad and therefore require more thought to ensure a clear direction for Module 3.
• Transferable Skills- As suggested, it may be helpful to look into transferable skills and their role from the journey into secondary education from primary.
• Private and Public Sector- Do I want to be looking at a comparison of these two sectors or do I want to just focus on the one?  Am I looking at the teaching methods or the learning?  Which point of view do I need to look at or do I need to focus on them both?
• Inquiry Tools- I need to decide if my original three option of survey, interview and observation will still be appropriate.  I also need to determine exactly what I am looking for from using these tools.
• Practitioner Research- I think this will be a vital part of my inquiry and so it is important to maintain my journal which deteriorated in Module 2 due to a change in my work schedule.  Record my findings and continue to reflect to inform my practice.
• Schedule- To stay on track for Module 3 I need to arrange time to carry out my inquiry tools.

Inquiry Title

I am still unsure of my inquiry title but would like it to reflect what can be learnt from Performing Arts.  I would like to focus on KS2 Primary age students as from my own experience this is when I have started to notice a leap in the amount of learning taking place within Performing Arts classes.  ‘Learning’ is a key word for me here.  As a teacher I want to provide the most amount of learning possible during my practice.  What can I identify from performing arts to help develop the amount of learning taking place within my classes?

After starting a discussion on an SIG that I am a member of, Sinead Jamie brought up the suggestion to focus on a particular skill that Performing Arts may introduce which could potentially be a transferable skill.  Therefore I could continue to work with the idea of transferable skills but focus on one in particular that could be important.  Could this then be implemented into Primary Education as a main focus for teachers to develop lesson plans with? 

Research

My research needs to be supported with the literature which I have already identified in the discussion of transferable skills from the Arts discipline.  From this I may be able to find particular skills which are key to the learning that takes place in Performing Arts. 

My inquiry tools will be important for my research to identify what the learning outcomes of Performing Arts-related subjects in Primary Education currently require.  I think it will still be beneficial to look at the link between the public and private sectors teaching of the Performing Arts to see if common ground can be found among both to enhance the learning of a particular skill.

My ethical forms will still remain in place, however, some consideration needs to be taken as to whether an observation would gain any evidence to help with my inquiry.  What could I look for in an observation of a performing arts class? 

Questions

Some questions that have arisen from my reflection of Module 2:

• What would a Performing Arts teacher identify as a key skill learnt over a series of Performing Arts classes?
• What learning outcomes, if any, are used to plan a lesson of dance in Primary Education?
• What is the difference between a dance class taught in Primary Education and a dance class taught in a private dance school?  Which style of dance is introduced and why?
• Should Performing Arts have a clear learning outcome or would this distract from the ability to create and express yourself as a dancer?

I still feel like I have no clear direction for my inquiry and hope that with the use of literature, SIG groups, peer communication and reflection on my own practice I will soon define what I want to know.