Task 6c: Draft Award Title

When identifying my degree title, I decided I would like the title to reflect the undergraduate studies I have undertaken at both London Studio Centre and at Middlesex University through the BAPP course. My studies at LSC helped me to develop my practical performing skills, as well as giving me in depth theory knowledge varying from Dance History to Modern Dance and Film culture. Furthermore, I would like my title to incorporate my area of research within my inquiry project, as I feel this has been formed a major part of my degree studies, and my professional development within my work place.

Additionally, I think it is important to identify that I have worked in education for over two years at a secondary school Academy as an Academic Coach, which has enabled me to develop my professional practices in English and Performing Arts teaching considerably. Therefore, I would also like this to be reflected in my title.

In my inquiry, I plan to explore the factors that influence students’ classroom engagement in Performing Arts and Literacy/English in a secondary school setting. As a result of my Academic Coaching role to data, I have recognised that engagement is a significant determiner of student success in education. Through literature and government progress agendas, I have realised that classroom engagement is a high priority for any classroom teacher, as engagement leads to better learning and, ultimately, better progress and academic achievement in school. Therefore, I aim to increase my knowledge and understanding of engagement through the following inquiry questions:

1. In an experienced teaching practitioners’ opinion, what are the reasons that students engage or disengage in their subject areas of Performing Arts and English/Literacy?
2. Why do students enjoy or dislike subjects, resulting in engagement/disengagement in Performing Arts and English/Literacy subjects?
3. What type of classroom tasks and activities engage/disengage students the most in Performing Arts and English/Literacy classes?

After successful completion of this course, I plan to further my studies and teaching practices by undertaking a PGCE course. I would like to study on this type of traditional teacher training course (instead of completing a direct route such as Teach First or Schools Direct) because I believe it will allow me to develop and deepen the knowledge I have gained through the BAPP course.

As a result, I feel it is important that my award title reflects my inquiry area, as I have chosen to carry out research into the subject of ‘classroom engagement’ to develop my professional practices and deepen my understanding of this crucial area of teaching. In addition to this research, I think it would be appropriate for my relevant work in education to be recognised in my title, to help me successfully gain a place of a PGCE course.

I propose the following award title, as a result of this rational:

BA(hons) Professional Practice (Engagement in Performing Arts/Literacy in Education)