Task 4a: Developing Question that are Relevant to my Practices

Since undertaking module 1, there has been a slight change in my role within my workplace. I have been given the opportunity to support in and teach dance lessons this academic year. I am also now heading up the Academic Coaching department within my school. Along with Reader 4, this has made me consider my lines of professional inquiry from an alternative viewpoint.

Peter Senge’s views presented in Reader 4 surrounding the Learning Organization made me consider the possibilities of my inquiry benefitting others in my work place, not simply for my own professional development.

Senge (1990, p.3) describes “learning organizations” as, ‘organizations where people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning to see the whole together.’ Furthermore Senge, 1990, p. 81 states,'Whatever movement occurs is amplified, producing more movement in the same direction. A small action snowballs, with more and more and still more of the same, resembling compound interest'. This theory allowed me to realise that my own professional inquiry is not simply about my professional development; my own inquiry could impact the Academy as a whole, if approached holistically and not solely in a singular subject/discipline.

Another idea that has influenced my thinking on professional inquiry is Senge’s idea of ‘personal mastery’ not being ‘black and white’, but 'a continual learning mode... It is a process. It is lifelong discipline. People with a high level of personal mastery are acutely aware of their ignorance, their incompetence, their growth areas' (Senge, 1990, p. 142), Moreover, in the below video Senge outlines the need for risk taking, being both willing and prepared to be 'wrong'. This made me consider if my previous lines of inquiry were too 'safe'. Naturally I am not a risk taker, yet I now believe my new lines of inquiry should 'push the boundaries' of my professional practices.

These ideas from further research have made me consider how I could use my merged role (as an Academic Coach and member of the Performing Arts department) to help me to contribute to the development of my organization as a whole. As an example, literacy is an important agenda in the Academy, so I have tried to develop some ideas about how literacy can be utilised in dance to future the fundamental aims of the institution.

Questions relevant to my practice:

1. Do students approach and undertake tasks differently if they are in control of their learning outcomes?
2. Is there a link between improving literacy levels with dance lessons?
3. Can dance be used to improve literacy levels in low ability students?
4. To what effect does a school’s culture have on male participation in performing arts?
5. To what extent does parental involvement and support effect male participation in performing arts?
6. How does participation in extra curricular Performing arts effect engagement in timetabled lessons? Is this positive or negative?
7. What are the factors that contribute to positive engagement for students?
8. Do positive male role models within a school (students/staff) effect the level of participation and involvement of male students in timetabled classes?
9. Can positive professional relationships in Performing arts be used to improve attitude, engagement and enjoyment of English and Literacy classes?
10. Why do students who excel in performing arts sometimes under achieve in other subjects? What are the contributing factors to this?

I plan to discuss and develop these questions with a member of my Academic Coaching department to develop these questions from a literacy point of view. I also plan to discuss these questions with the Head of Dance to try and see if there are any areas within dance that would provide a sound line on inquiry.

Reference List:

Smith, M. K. (2001) 'Per Sence and the learning organization', the encyclopedia of informational education. [http://infed.org/mobi/peter-senge-and-the-learning-organnization/. Retrieved: 24 September 2015

YouTube Wile, K. (2014) Peter Senge An Introduction to Organizational Learning. Available From:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpiqnCAQ6S8 [Accessed on 26th September 2015]