6b -Critical reflection on the four tools of inquiry

I have read through the reader and looked at the merits of all four tools of inquiry and also looked at their relativity to my inquiry.
The first method, interview, is a good way of obtaining information or data relating to someone's actual activities or their thoughts on a topic. It is interpersonal and can lead to many things being uncovered. It is possibly quite a time consuming method of collecting data but would be very useful if working in a specific environment as you can interview an individual in their workplace and record their answers. However, for my topic I do not think it is necessarily one of the best methods. I would think that on a one to one basis you may not always get an honest answer to your questions as the participant may feel uncomfortable doing so.
I used the second method for my informal trial as I was interested to see if people answered honestly if they were acting anonymously. However, what I have found, is that because it is anonymous I was not getting any answers! I have prompted my SIG to take my survey to see the response and managed to get a little more response. Was this because they felt they had nothing to say on the topic, were my questions not really effective, did the respondents not feel that the questions were not relevant? A survey could be a very useful research tool if the answers are limited or if the content of an answer is relatively succinct, but I suspect that if a person feels that they have a lot to say for an answer that they may not feel that this is the right place to put it.
The third method of a focus group is one that I feel would be useful to my inquiry. If there is a group of people in a room answering questions about my topic then I feel it will encourage people to openly discuss their feelings and their thoughts on the subject. My only concern would be if anyone felt that they did not wish to say something that may offend someone in the room? However, I think that people would speak objectively and I am hoping that if I conduct my Focus Group over Skype then that possible issue may not arise as I find that people speak more freely over Skype.
The fourth method for me is the most important tool for my inquiry as you can physically see if there is a palpable difference in the reactions and responses of the children as they are being taught by different teachers. I can see that for some inquiries it may not be the best method as you need to question people to establish their answers as they may not be any physical demonstration that would be relevant.

Therefore , in conclusion, my two methods will be observation and a focus group.

Task 5b

In the previous task, I have talked about the professional codes of conduct and the various legislations that are in place that affect my job as a teacher. Working in a private school made me wonder if the school had any policies in place that would be different to those you expect to find in a state school. I have enquired at the school about any codes of conduct or ethics that the school set out for teaching staff when they start working there. There were a few minor differences, mostly based on the fact that it is a boarding school, so the expectation of pastoral care is slightly different to the normal school situation. As part of the peripatetic team of staff, it could be quite easy to ignore this sort of ethical responsibility, but I think that dance is an emotive subject and often the students will find it easier to tell me about their issues or problems than maybe another member of staff.
There are  differing regulations regarding health and safety due to the  amount of freedom that the children are given about the school grounds outside of normal school hours. There are also rules and regulations relating to behaviour,for the older children who are allowed offsite in the evenings.

Talking is good!

Very positive group Skype call today with Adesola. Group consisted of myself, Natalie Kirk also from Module 2 and Georgie Bird who is on Module 3. Both Natalie and I were struggling with the Ethics part of Module 2 but I now have a much better understanding of what is required for this topic. I am not sure how much help we were to Georgie, but she was certainly a help to us. As I have said in the past, it sometimes helps to talk through your problems and listen to other people talk through their problems and their solutions. I recommend that anyone having any sort of doubt or if you feel that you have hit a brick wall, these chats really help! It has also helped me understand the difference between doing this preparatory work in Module 2 to eventually carry out your inquiry in Module 3.

Another one tonight at 8.45pm so get on line and talk it through!

Change of Direction!

Following my original Blog regarding the questions for my inquiry, I have formed a Facebook group with several other dance teachers in my area, inviting them to comment and help with my inquiry. However, I have had such little response that I have decided to change tack completely. My new line of inquiry has  partly been inspired by a conversation over the weekend with the parent of a boy who was due to take a dance exam in three weeks and has now withdrawn. I am certain that if his exam was in tap or modern I would not have had this conversation, but of course, it was in ballet and being a 13 year old boy I think he may have fallen victim to peer pressure. So, my new line of inquiry is related to gender and dance and specifically how to encourage male participation in dance.

Anyone else following this line? Any comments would be gratefully received!

Task 5a - My thoughts on the codes of practice or regulations which guide my setting!

Sitting down and thinking about the codes of conduct or regulations which affect my current place of work, there are various things which spring to mind.

As a member of the British Ballet Organisation, I know that there is the teachers' code of conduct which details the ways a teacher is expected to behave ethically and morally within the community and in the best interest of the their students. I know of the rules pertaining to data protection and the safeguarding of students. There is also the requirement to hold an enhanced CRB clearance or DBS as it is now.

There are also the health and safety regulations which are relevant to my dance studio and also to the school environment that the studio is in. There are obviously a  set of school rules and regulations applicable to the students and also the expected behaviour and professionalism of myself as a teacher.