Brainstorm

Hello Everyone,

I have been talking to my best friend Linda who is also doing the course and we were discussing how we were both getting along with Module 2 and how we both find that we are uncertain of where we are on the course in regards to how much we should have done by now. We discussed our topics further to each other, they are quite different however, I think we both found minor interlinks and helped each other out. After the talk with Linda, I brought up the topic with my dad to discuss how I was feeling a little lost and unsure of where I am on the course. It suddenly hit me as we were discussing one of my branch inquiries (Refer to earlier blog post- Module 2 Skype Session). The branch inquiry I am referring to is looking at different performing arts curriculum from different countries. As I work in an International school, my interest was sparked to find out if the curriculum on the performing arts was different in different country curriculums. While discussing this research I realised something.

The course – Bachelor of Arts for Professional Practise – Distance learning curriculum, is incredibly different to the type of curriculum I had in Primary and Secondary school! For the first 13 years of my schooling there was always a structure of

1.       Read this.

2.       Do Assignment

3.       Read this.

4.       Do Assignment

Etc.

I find that the professional practise course especially now, while looking into our own inquiries. Gives us the freedom to choose without a guideline of what to read and how to carry out our research, it can be a little daunting! I don’t think it’s a bad thing, because I love being able to research what I am interested in but I think it’s also made me a little more hesitant, as there is no list of what to research and how. Which looking back on it I always had when I was in primary and secondary school! The readers for each section of the module 2 are really useful as I have been looking back on them and each time I keep finding something new that helps me direct my research. But with no set research topic, you must decide what you like, you have the freedom to choose what you want! You have to have the confidence and the certainty to believe in what you research. Is anyone else finding it challenging?

Adding onto the idea of a set curriculum. A few weeks ago, I was talking to my colleague about the different types of curriculum/learning structure and she mentioned to me a type of curriculum that allows the children to decide what they want to learn about for that year. For example- When we were teaching how to halve something we used images of pizzas. We used pizzas because our overall topic for that period was ‘Food’, but the children didn’t choose it, the topic of ‘Food’ is in the set curriculum. The curriculum my friend was talking about was the ‘Montessori Theory’ here is the link if you would like to read a bit more about it - http://www.montessori.org.uk/what_is_montessori/the_philosophy

Through reading and researching through different curriculums it has given me more information for my branch inquiry.

 It does make me wonder that if I am finding the prospect of having a lot of freedom in my research daunting is because my prior research projects have always been set out clearly for me? Let me know what you think on this topic, I would love to hear if you have the same or different opinion on it.

Thanks for reading,

Cassie V.