Today I was able to have a good talk with Paula about where I am at with this module.
- I have invited people to be participants, some have replied saying yes and a few others I am waiting for. My next step is to send out the consent forms. Get those back and arrange interview times.
- I have started to look at literature and make notes on that.
- I have been writing regularly in my BAPP journal making relevant observations of my daily practice.
There are many things I still need to do and it seems that every day something new pops into my head. Today's conversation with Paula was no different.
We talked about what kinds of people I will be interviewing. I have teachers, I have assessors and one examiner. We said that because my main inquiry question outlined in my plan was - 'How are the criteria for performing arts assessments and examinations designed?' - I needed maybe another examiner or someone who is involved in the design. This is something I can work on this week. I have had contact via email with some exam boards who may be willing to talk more. We also said that I need to then align what I am asking people. Teachers can't tell me about the design process but they can tell me how things work in practise. So another main inquiry question could be - What do teachers/facilitators think are the benefits or limitations of assessment?. We also talked about the fact that guidelines or policy doesn't always transfer easily to the practical. - How do guidelines compare with work in practice?
We also talked about how we can compare the idea of course work assessment to a final external examination. What are the debates in the literature - eg my concerns about how age is taken into account in LAMDA. Or real life vs exam conditions. We have to understand that there are different ways of working in different environments. There is not one right way.
The APPROACH TO DRAMA will be different than the APPROACH TO TEACHING DRAMA.
Going forward I think I need to get a few other participants if I can. Alter my main inquiry questions to include the everyone that I will be talking to. Keep going with my literature review. Stay focused.
thanks Lisa - yes the ideas for critiquing your area of study are important - and link to what other professionals have to say - the 'state of play' with peers and within sectors. The way in which we use ideas then become a choice and can be refined as our position changes or society changes. How drama is taught and assessed today might relate to how dram is perceived - see article I found googling https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=0aZrAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA27&lpg=PA27&dq=teaching+drama+-+different+than+1900&source=bl&ots=b7ubzf87xR&sig=i-EDhtTneini3C6nN5l1BmHGizs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi8-MSTkKLLAhWFTBQKHUOJDF0Q6AEINTAE#v=onepage&q=teaching%20drama%20-%20different%20than%201900&f=false
ReplyDeleteLooked interesting - Finlay-ohnson, Caldwell Cook and Hourd
see what you think!
Hi Paula - thanks for this source!! I have come across Finlay Johnson before when looking at literature in module 2. I believe it was Helen Nicholson who mentioned her in her book about applied theatre. Looking at the text Finaly Johnsons stuff was published around the same time as Caldwell Cook early 1900s. McGunn says that they, 'regard drama as a means to an end rather than as an end in itself'. So especially at that early time they recognised how drama could help their students but maybe didn't recognise it as a subject in itself. Which I tend to think it is.
DeleteI think students can use drama as a way to bring other topics to life. This may help them to remember facts more easily than remembering chunks of text but I do think there is a skill to acting. Just because you have brought something to life using drama - and it has been very effective and helped you to learn - it doesn't mean that you can act. The drama has been a useful learning tool but you may not take acting any further.
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI think your debates about approaches to teaching drama are very similar to some of my concerns about whether drama is a subject or a teaching approach (http://jessicaplant.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/literature-reviews-reflections-and.html).
I have found that the literature review has made me consider these small differences in much more detail compared to Module 2. I also feel like the literature makes me consider something new. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed still with the literature. I took some time yesterday to think about this, but I think our chat with Lara on Tuesday will also help us to think through our inquiry.
Jess.
Hi Jess,
DeleteWhat differences have you found from the literature?
I am also overwhelmed I'm not sure I'm looking at the right things. I'm looking forward to our chat on Tuesday I really need it. I feel like the times passing so quickly!!
Lisa x
Hi Lisa,
DeleteThe literature is divided. Some literature discusses Drama as a subject. Other literature talks about how Drama can be used as an approach to improve engagement.
Me too!
Jess.