When we ask ourselves - "If I don't know the questions how will I find out the answers?

On Friday 22nd February 2019  Adesola our supervisor,  Amanda (Module 1), Ryan (Module 2), Liza (Module 2 ) and myself  (Module 3) met at the campus. I had only spoken to Ryan and Liza on Skype before so it was nice to put a fact to a name - although I kept calling Ryan, George!

I have posted on Adesola's blog regarding her comments (what we need to know about our process at University and what we will be finding out as we progress).

We set our agenda for the afternoon, overviewed our modules, talked about re-visitng the  Ken Robert's video on Adesola's blog and discussed the Writing Centre and any notions we wanted to air.

As Liza and me are both interested in women in performance art, Adesola suggested we look at archives of Matt Shepherd's play for women.

Ryan informed us of his thoughts on his inquiry "Does exercising affect performance?" (both mentally and physically) and Adesola worked through some scenarios and ideas with him. The book that his research keeps leading him back to is - "Critical Information and Problem Solving in Physical Education." We discussed building our knowledge, applying it and seeing how and why it works for us.

Amanda is on Module 1 and felt it was beneficial to see what she will be working on in the future.

Adesola asked us to think about the "Culture of our Course". We concluded that we are a community who share ideas, are not judgemental and are respectful of each other.

I added that I am a director of a theatre company who decided to write a "Mission Statement" to explain our intentions.  Our mission statement shares a similar ethos to the culture of community we were discussing. We donate a percentage of our profit to charity.  I do think it has encouraged similar minded individuals to work with us because our mission statement reminds everybody of why we are all involved and it re-enforces we are part of something.

Liza felt as a community we should "enrich each others experience and take responsibility". This seemed to sum up our thoughts of our journey with our own individual experiences of professional practice. To treat people how we want to be treated ourselves.

SKYPE SESSION - GLOSSARY OF WORDS AND WHAT THEY MEAN TO US


In our Skpe session with Adesola, Amber, Harry,  Sophie and Sianne discussed Module 3 and Adesola invited us to discuss words from the Glossary that needed further clarification in relation to our professional practice.

Amber confirmed we need to "do it:" and don't just "research". Amber is a dance teacher in a primary school. This  is not a discipline that I know much about but I was very interested in her Inquiry into how 'dancing can aid children both mentally and physically.' When discussing "Artefacts" she added lessons plans to her list. Amber discussed "language' which is something I discussed in Module 1, a few years ago ( I had to interrupt studies). Language/terminology can make us 'feel part of something', as if we 'belong.' It also makes us sound more knowledgable/professional in our subject. The language will be universal, relatable.

Harry, is an actor ( I loved the fact that he said I am an actor and a musical theatre performer second) discussed his inquiry into nutrition. Not just nutrition as in food but also the 'mental nutrition' we need as actors. I am very interested to read his Inquiry and his findings. He discussed last time that he was reviewing his data and tonight he made me realise I need to push forward with mine.

When I spoke to Adesola she confirmed that we need to do the questionaries/surveys/interviews (whatever we have chosen sooner rather than later.) I made me realise, that yes the literature review is important but what we LEARN from our Inquiry is more important and we can keep reading literature after we have asked the questions forever more. This is others people's data - not ours. Yes, it helps us decide our Inquiry is relevant and what have we learnt, what other questions we want to know the answers to and what have we discovered from this -  and what has it  has"opened up".

I don't know any professional - be them a University Lecturer, a theatrical director, actor, dancer etc. that will say that they have stopped "learning". We need to show what we have learnt, what we are still researching and why is why we are doing this. There is "no definite question and no definite answer."

Sianne (ballet dancer) discussed her Inquiry into teaching methods and "how different theories and teaching affect students. "Although, I am not a dancer I also find this relevant to my Professional Practice ( I am a Director/Drama Adjudicator and Drama Practitioner). Learning about different theories enables us to proceed or question if something is right for us in our practice.

Sophie (ballet dancer) Inquiry discussed 'how context changes the way we dance.' She discussed how her feedback has helped her and moved her through her Inquiry.  Something we should all remember, read back and review. When discussing Artefacts she included pointe shoes and how costumes are so important to a character ( I thought about back stories to actors development of a character). She also discussed whether teaching syllabus can be "artefacts".

Adesola explained there is "no point explaining what you have done if other people don't relate to it:


Triangulation -   (Harry describes this as responding and discussing). Adesola said it was a "perfect answer. Harry, if you read this please let me know what the third thing you said was - I didn't hear due to poor reception of Skype. Thanks.
Aretfact - an object/thing or historical or cultural interest
Discourse - speak or write with authority on a subject
Ethonology - human character, study of behaviour

I had read Twyla Tharp's book  "The Creative Habit _learn it and use it for life" (on reading list) and there is an section of artefacts ( putting things that you think relate and inspire into a physical box) and this is something I do when I decide to direct a play. I recommended this book.  I am not a dancer but appreciate the discipline/talent involved. She made her process so relatable to an actor and her readers generally.


I so enjoyed the Skype session with Adesola and the Module 3 students. What makes this so exciting is there fact that we are industry professionals - all the conversation are based on on experience and not just the expectation. I have learnt so much already.

Last week I joined a Skype with Helen and fellow students of different Modules.

I have taken a year out and it was good to be part of blogging again.

I read and re-read my notes but decided it all could be summarised as to what I learnt and said -

The students in Module 2 felt the same way I did when I was part of Module 2.

The students in Module 3 had the same questions that I had. I loved everybody's honesty.  What is so positive about this course is the we are encouraged to ask questions and not be judged if we don't understand the answers in relationship to our own professional practice yet. It is re-enforeced that by asking questions we learn.

It is good to know we understand how each other is feeling.

Once we known that we understand what we are being asked to do we can do it in relation to our own practice.

There is no definitive answer to any of our questions. There is no definite answer. That I why we are asking the questions.