I just want to give everyone on module 3 an
update about what was discussed in this week’s campus session. Adesola led the
session and it was interesting getting a different view point of how to
approach your professional inquiry.
The general feeling amongst the group was how do we
layout the inquiry? As we were all a little confused about the evaluation and
analysis section as they both involve similar topics. Adesola really helped us
and said don’t think of the inquiry as sections but as a whole and you’ve got
to link it altogether.
She said start by recognising THEMES within your research data e.g. what people have brought up
in interviews/questionnaires etc. and use those themes as a catalyst for your
inquiry, for example I’m looking at ‘The influence of Music and movement within
early years development’ so one of my themes could be ‘Teaching style’ or ‘Environment’
and I would focus on those themes throughout my inquiry when writing up my
evaluation and analysis sections and link literature throughout every section. Your
literature review doesn’t have to be a section on its own but linked throughout
all the sections as it shows you are relating to what you have found out to
what people have said or use it to back up your findings. Think of Bridges linking all your sections
together so it flows.
Remember when writing your inquiry it has to be in the
past tense as your writing is about what you have done and found out, and why
you did it, Adesola explained it as: “This
can happen, that’s why you did it.” Try not to write narrative but write
everything upfront. Adesola helped me make sense of it by relating it to a 70’s
detective series where they show the murder at the beginning and then
throughout the programme explained how it happened and why? There is also the cake method which is really helpful e.g;
·
What
it is and what happened- I’m making cupcakes for 6 people.
·
Inquiry
process- The ingredients laid out what you’re going to use.
·
Analysis
and findings- Cooking it
·
Critical
reflection- Tasting it, how it affects you and others.
We spoke about how to reference different sources of literature
and what to include within the bibliography. Chiara told us about a really
helpful website that explains how to reference any type of literature the link
to the webpage is here:
So if anyone is unsure how to reference some material
please have a look.
Artefact
The last part of the campus section we spoke about is the
professional artefact. You can’t really do the artefact until you’ve completed your
inquiry and have the results and findings as your artefact is a representation
of your inquiry and what you learnt. This can be presented in any way, shape
and form there is no limit. Try and be creative the word count is just a guideline
of importance not a guideline of how many words you have to include. An
artefact can be for example;
·
An image
·
Installation
·
Song
·
Performance
·
Workshop
·
Video
·
Map
Above are a few examples don’t limit yourself think out
the box. You can present your artefact within your aural presentation, and
remember your artefact is to benefit your profession and the people within your
professional practice to enjoy and understand.
Lastly I just want to say Adesola and Paula have posted
some really helpful information on structuring and understanding your inquiry process
please have a look at both their blog pages if you are confused or stuck. The
links are below:
