As we are now looking at the final stretch on our BAPP journey, it seems an ever more daunting prospect. Rather than feeling like I am on a break, I am in complete anticipation of what the next and final module is to entail. Taking a look at the module handbook and readers without guidance sent me into a bit of a melt down...What? How? When? Where? So many questions I cannot wait to bombard my peers and tutors with. However, after reflecting back over my progression between modules (and a lot of deep breathing), I realised how much I have learnt and my enthusiasm to continue learning while applying this invaluable knowledge to my professional persona.
We must all remember to keep immersing ourselves within the experience, rather than worrying about the boundaries that can influence or inhibit our journey...
Tuesday, 29 January 2013
Thursday, 27 December 2012
Critical Reflection of Module 2 - Principles of Professional Inquiry
For me, module 2 created a sense of focused direction, further opening up my identity as a professional, while introducing new tools and methods implemental to my progression.
Developing lines of professional inquiry
The combined study of Reader 4 and group discussion alongside my BAPP course peers really helped me unpack the complexity of ‘a question’. Reader 4 highlighted the links between work based learning and learning at the work place to be two very different concepts that, when combining the two techniques, allow us to observe a greater spectrum of knowledge from differing angles. This theory grasped me in its idea of intertwining our different disciplinary’s - for example; teaching dance demands the understanding of education, yet requires knowledge of the arts - a term described by Kreber as 'trans disciplinary'. When discussing these theories I was able to understand further the elaboration and guidelines involved within the craft of question asking. Though it took me some time to gain a sense of control over my inquiring mind, by opening up my thoughts and engaging with my relevant SIG’s, I was able to notice the growth in structure to my inquiry, and confidence in my focus.
Professional ethics
This is a topic of which I had never fully taken into consideration, while I have always had performance etiquette I realised that being aware of the word and completely understanding its meaning in relation to myself and my own practice to be two very different things. Reader 5 taught me the many subdivisions, values and theories this concept entails, all of which we have an opinion on and adhere to. Yet I feel without actually thinking and applying the term fully to myself, my inquiry at the least could portray a lack of informed principle and knowledge. Looking at how I develop my outlook on ethics throughout my blog I can see how they evolve from a list of rules to a more complex idea of a moralistic approach, showing a greater understanding of my own practice and further forming a more ethical framework to my own inquiry.
Tools of professional inquiry
A key concept I learnt here was the common distinction in research between quantitative and qualitative data, very much dependent on the direction and intention of particular questions. Piloting the differing tools shed light on this in the success of my findings relevant to my inquiry, further showing support for the theory of Bell (2002) when he says ‘the approach to your research will depend on the nature on your inquiry’. I summarised this section in my decision to employ the methods of focus groups and interviews to further my inquiry as these provided me with a more in depth, qualitative explanation. I found the relaxed and informative nature of these processes allowed for the participants to really explore their own ideas and opinions, enabling me to acquire the most profound form of data and knowledge, essential in furthering my own investigation.
To conclude, I feel that module 2 has catapulted my learning and my ability to analyse, reflect and present in a thought provoking yet beneficial manner. Having built upon the initial wooly identification of my professional practice in module 1, I have now been able to form my established line of inquiry, the ethics that surround it and the tools to facilitate my research, with the confidence to execute my interests successfully.
Thursday, 20 December 2012
Proposing, Planning, Presenting...
On initial reading of the task in hand I was truly overwhelmed at what it was to entail - not to mention the 3000 word requirement. I have found that rather than looking at it in it's entirety, breaking it down into relevant sections has helped me tackle it in bite size pieces. Paula's post 'Draft advice on Module 2' has been of particular help in the detail she added to the differing headings incorporated throughout the writing. This plan advice has really made me think about 'me', and what findings, analysis and elaboration I need to include. I am still yet to complete, re-read, edit, re-read, edit....the process is never ending! Yet feel much more secure in the knowledge and direction I am focusing my proposal.
I'm sure, much like myself, trying to juggle this assignment along with blogging, christmas and the extensive work involved throughout this busy period, is proving to require some meticulous time management - a skill I am trying hard to master! But I would be keen to hear how you are all getting on? Any advice on the project? Queries? Or just a general chat....
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Analysing my tools of professional inquiry...
After studying reader 6 - Tools of Professional Inquiry, and piloting each method within my own inquiry, I have been able to establish which 'tool' is most effective when put into practice to acquire the most profound form of data and knowledge, essential in furthering my own investigation. I previously posted about the general positives and negatives with regards to each method, but upon analysis I found where each factor was relative to me and my inquiry.
Interview and Focus Group
Both of these provided me with a more in depth, qualitative explanation. The relaxed and informative nature of these processes allowed for the participants to really explore their own ideas and opinions on the topics being questioned. Though structure can be lost during the interview, it allowed for a more personal discovery. By nature of my inquiry, the learning and discovery process is very much reliant on learning from others experience, the more specialised knowledge that can be gained the better. Piloting the focus group particularly, has shown me that the answers you get are very much dependant on the group that you interview, as well as the technique in which the questions are asked. To avoid bias you very much have to make the entire process about the participant, avoiding the chance of posing an influential tone. Establishing this technique is also something I think, that if I can put into practice, will help me personally as I move from using my 'feet' to 'voice' for employment prospects. In terms of authenticity and validity in information and data collection between the differing tools, I couldn't place one above the other. The only advantage interviewing has over using a focus group is its practicality and convenience, arranging a time and a place for one person is far easier than organising three or four people in comparison.
Survey
The less personal and formal nature of this tool really doesn't suite the type of information I am looking to gather to further my own inquiry. The structured nature of this method doesn't allow for participant elaboration, and I found resulted in a lax approach to completing the document. It very much provides you with quantitive information, appropriate for calculating statistical data, but as my inquiry is very much based on experience and different directions, it is not something I can produce a formula for. I am not completely discarding my findings from this method, as all information is invaluable, but it is not tool I will be carrying forward within my professional inquiry.
Observation
I found this tool very difficult to evaluate as I feel the benefits, given the right situation for the method to be applied, would be invaluable. I have been observing videos on youtube with relevance to 'on' and 'off' screen television processes, but I feel without physically being within the atmosphere itself, you can portray a very biased point of view. I am hoping to gain some 'hands on' experience at the end of this year, at which time I will truly put the use of this tool into practice. Until then I will leave my full analysis open ended, as at this time it shows very little use to the direction of my inquiry in my given situation.
Interview and Focus Group
Both of these provided me with a more in depth, qualitative explanation. The relaxed and informative nature of these processes allowed for the participants to really explore their own ideas and opinions on the topics being questioned. Though structure can be lost during the interview, it allowed for a more personal discovery. By nature of my inquiry, the learning and discovery process is very much reliant on learning from others experience, the more specialised knowledge that can be gained the better. Piloting the focus group particularly, has shown me that the answers you get are very much dependant on the group that you interview, as well as the technique in which the questions are asked. To avoid bias you very much have to make the entire process about the participant, avoiding the chance of posing an influential tone. Establishing this technique is also something I think, that if I can put into practice, will help me personally as I move from using my 'feet' to 'voice' for employment prospects. In terms of authenticity and validity in information and data collection between the differing tools, I couldn't place one above the other. The only advantage interviewing has over using a focus group is its practicality and convenience, arranging a time and a place for one person is far easier than organising three or four people in comparison.
Survey
The less personal and formal nature of this tool really doesn't suite the type of information I am looking to gather to further my own inquiry. The structured nature of this method doesn't allow for participant elaboration, and I found resulted in a lax approach to completing the document. It very much provides you with quantitive information, appropriate for calculating statistical data, but as my inquiry is very much based on experience and different directions, it is not something I can produce a formula for. I am not completely discarding my findings from this method, as all information is invaluable, but it is not tool I will be carrying forward within my professional inquiry.
Observation
I found this tool very difficult to evaluate as I feel the benefits, given the right situation for the method to be applied, would be invaluable. I have been observing videos on youtube with relevance to 'on' and 'off' screen television processes, but I feel without physically being within the atmosphere itself, you can portray a very biased point of view. I am hoping to gain some 'hands on' experience at the end of this year, at which time I will truly put the use of this tool into practice. Until then I will leave my full analysis open ended, as at this time it shows very little use to the direction of my inquiry in my given situation.
Monday, 26 November 2012
Campus Session 3 - Tools of Inquiry
In our final campus session of this module, Alan spoke to us about the four main tools we would pilot as we begin to explore and gather more information in relation to our own inquiries. We discussed all the positives and negatives involved when using each process, as well as the dynamic between the participant and the researcher.
Survey
+ Can be completed anonymously
+ Not as time consuming for the researcher or participant
+ Quantitive data of which stats/figures can represent findings
+ Provides a 'general' consensus
- Lack of authenticity due to the formality of the procedure
- Question could be left incomplete/misinterpreted
- Non-engagement with participant
- Non-leading questions could result in a lack of information being found
Interview
+ Depth due to a one on one situation
+ Leading questions/flexibility resulting in a more personal discovery
+ Higher authenticity
+ Less chance of misunderstanding
- Time consuming resulting in limited numbers being able to take part
- Non-anonymous could result in participant being influenced
- Good interview technique required to avoid bias
- Specific knowledge
Focus Group
+ Conversational nature allows ideas/opinions to be explored
+ The group share a common interest/specialised knowledge
+ Validating
- Influential factors
- Practicality of creating a focus group/convenience
Observation
+ There are different forms of observation which carry different opportunities
- Reliability of data
Within each of these methods there is a strong relationship between the participant and researcher. Ideally all the data gathered while using each tool should be a complete representation of the information provided by the participant, however as a result of bias/authenticity, these levels can be altered. After discussing these important factors we captured each tool of inquiry in a short video presentation filmed and compiled by Alan.
Survey
+ Can be completed anonymously
+ Not as time consuming for the researcher or participant
+ Quantitive data of which stats/figures can represent findings
+ Provides a 'general' consensus
- Lack of authenticity due to the formality of the procedure
- Question could be left incomplete/misinterpreted
- Non-engagement with participant
- Non-leading questions could result in a lack of information being found
Interview
+ Depth due to a one on one situation
+ Leading questions/flexibility resulting in a more personal discovery
+ Higher authenticity
+ Less chance of misunderstanding
- Time consuming resulting in limited numbers being able to take part
- Non-anonymous could result in participant being influenced
- Good interview technique required to avoid bias
- Specific knowledge
Focus Group
+ Conversational nature allows ideas/opinions to be explored
+ The group share a common interest/specialised knowledge
+ Validating
- Influential factors
- Practicality of creating a focus group/convenience
Observation
+ There are different forms of observation which carry different opportunities
- Reliability of data
Within each of these methods there is a strong relationship between the participant and researcher. Ideally all the data gathered while using each tool should be a complete representation of the information provided by the participant, however as a result of bias/authenticity, these levels can be altered. After discussing these important factors we captured each tool of inquiry in a short video presentation filmed and compiled by Alan.
Monday, 19 November 2012
Survey!!
Calling all SIG's please get involved with my inquiry even more and complete my survey! In addition to our blogging and discussions, it would be great to hear feedback on this more formal 'tool', as well as allowing me to analyse the results. Just click on the link below...
The 'runner' behind the industry...
Following on from my previous post I decided to look forward into the industry I am inquiring about, and ultimately want to achieve. I discovered a fantastic article reported by the website www.wanttoworkintelevision.com and written by Louise McNamara, an experienced runner still working in the industry herself in her bid to reach the role of her dream job as a producer. She described the job of a runner, as 'entry level' for television media, and it definitely looks like a possible way in!
She goes on to describe the trials and tribulations the jobs entails, from distributing morning coffees and toast, to the joys of being involved in the production on set. Rather than making the tasks sound tough, I feel she depicts this role as being more repetitive, involving long days and really being a perfect reflection of the title - 'Runner'! Continuing to highlight these negatives in saying:
She goes on to describe the trials and tribulations the jobs entails, from distributing morning coffees and toast, to the joys of being involved in the production on set. Rather than making the tasks sound tough, I feel she depicts this role as being more repetitive, involving long days and really being a perfect reflection of the title - 'Runner'! Continuing to highlight these negatives in saying:
'The money is shocking. I figured out recently that I earned more working 36hrs in a video shop than I did working 60hrs a week as a runner. If you enjoy it enough you will find a way, although living on the breadline becomes a way of life.'
This is definitely a quote that would see most falling at the first hurdle, however this is a very similar situation we have all experienced within the performance industry. The insecurity and under payed employment is something that has become second nature. Though not ideal, like she says if you have enough passion for the job you will always find a way. This similarity between the two industries is definitely the requirement of a particular personality trait or skill which is transferable - determination.
In spite of this her article also shows support for the statement 'its not what you know, but who you know' when stating how she initially broke into this industry:
'I started out in a fairly conventional way. I was exceptionally fortunate to have a contact, my Mum’s best friend’s son, who was a post-production engineer at ITV. He got me a job as a post-production runner on ITV’s ‘Dancing on Ice’ programme.'
A very lucky and convenient contact providing her a platform to the rest of her career - this I do not say lightly though as I very much do believe that without the right attributes and personality strength to endure this form of work, this industry it can be very short lived.
For all those interested in the television industry I would definitely recommend giving this article a read, The Real Life of a Television Runner, an extremely open and informative article with an informal tone - a great insight into another side of this fascinating industry.
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