Module Two Reflection

 "WE DO NOT LEARN FROM EXPERIENCE... WE LEARN FROM REFLECTING ON EXPERIENCE."

- John Dewey



I almost cannot believe we are at the end of another term already! I don't know about anyone else, but I never completely feel like I know what I'm doing and then somehow I find myself uploading work and wondering how exactly I got here. Maybe you have it all under control and know precisely what you're doing. Can't relate.


It's been a challenging term... I think we will agree. And module two has definitely been a big step up from module one but I will admit that I have enjoyed learning about all the different ways academic research is conducted and how new knowledge and thinking is brought about. The mass of philosophical and practical approaches is amazing and I have certainly learnt to appreciate the level of skill that goes into conducting an inquiry. Research really is a discipline in its own right. 


At the start of term I didn't really know what area I wanted to investigate within my inquiry, but I began by following the trail of an interest in dance and sport and that led me to the topic of artistry. And when I say topic, I mean vast expanse of social, political, ethical, spiritual, cultural, historical, philosophical and pedagogical landscape. This was not a two-minute Google search. 

What caught my attention was how possessive artists seemed to be over it and how they used it not only as a badge of honour, but a symbol of difference.

What I was looking for was some kind of definitive answer to what artistry actually is and how it works.

What I found was there are no real answers. Shock. What's new.


However, we came to the conclusion that the main pillars of artistry are knowledge, creativity, communication, and reflexivity. Yes, reflexivity. Don't hate me. I don't make the rules.

These pillars seem to hold up artistry in whatever discipline or format it might be in, from business and medicine, to engineering and politics, to theatre and sport.

My eyes were opened to how interconnected things can be even when we are actively trying to divide ourselves. In particular, the educational benefits of cross-discipline enrichment are hugely overlooked because of a preoccupation with putting everyone in boxes and deciding what is and isn't important within your box. Whereas, a little bit from lots of the boxes helps to make your own speciality far better. Much like we should embrace the different cultures, we should embrace the different talents. 


On the inquiry planning side of module two, things got a bit complicated. After my several-week-long tango with literature on artistry, I was feeling a bit lost and like there were a million possible inquiries I could do, and with everyone else seemingly steaming ahead with their questions, I was not at my most calm. Thankfully, a supervision with Sam brought a whole new perspective and I eventually decided on the aspect of storytelling in dance education through a phenomenological approach.

The interesting thing about philosophical approaches and paradigms is how they can completely change what your focus is even though the general topic is the same - it may be the phenomenon itself, how people feel about that phenomenon, what power structures are involved, or how language is used to construct our understanding of it. 

Phenomenology is about the 'thing' itself and frankly it's pretty messy, given there is no one definitive way of conducting it as it is determined by the phenomenon in question, and on top of that there are two schools of thought within Phenomenology itself. You can tell I like going for the easy options...

Nevertheless, a lot of research later I was able to pull together an inquiry that I (think/hope/pray) should be able to carry out in module three. 

There was a lot of back and forth between the literature review and the inquiry proposal; they seemed to evolve together and a thought in one would change thoughts about the other. As with most things on the course, there is no linear path but as long as you keep moving and continue to question everything (e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.) then you are headed the right way!

The MORE form seemed more daunting than it actually was in the end and I think if you have a well thought-through inquiry, the MORE form, though long and detailed, isn't as bad as it first appears. Just take it in small chunks. And find a comfortable chair ;)


In a word, module two has been challenging. In a lot of ways. But from challenge comes growth, and I think we have all come a long way from where we were a few short months ago! To think that myself and my fellow module twos only have one term left is bizarre!

Huge well done to all module threes for completing the inquiry/term/course!!

I hope all module ones have adapted to the new ways of thinking about our practice, I congratulate your patience and perseverance :) 

I think a summer break is welcome. No?

Honestly if you've read to the end of this blog, I congratulate you purely for that.

Onwards and upwards everyone! xx



"THE MIND IS NOT A VESSEL TO BE FILLED BUT A FIRE TO BE IGNITED."

- Plutarch


Comments

  1. Georgina Knight27 May 2021 at 01:51

    Roanne, I absolutely love your blogs! You always cover so much and just reading them is a learning experience alone for me! I completely agree that Module 2 is a huge jump from Module 1 especially from an academic perspective. Such an interesting topic you have chosen for your enquiry, and the points you have raised just in your summary have got me thinking about my own practice and how easy it is to put things into boxes! You've definitely got me thinking about ways to evolve from this in the future - enjoy your summer break and preparation for Module 3 (results pending!)xxx

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    Replies
    1. Roanne Cox29 May 2021 at 05:40

      Thank you Georgina! Such kind words. I've also had to consider my practice in this experience and look at how I might enrich it in other ways! For all it may be stressful, you can see why the challenge of Module 2 is so beneficial professionally. I hope you have a lovely break and come back ready to get our last term done!! xxx

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