Analysis - Module 3 focus Skype
Yesterday's Skype was really, really useful for me. We were asked to give a short overview of our inquiry and what have we discovered during our analysis process. Then other students could ask questions and give feedback followed by feedback from Adesola, this Skype's supervisor.
Speaking out loud about my analysis helped me to organise my thoughts and strangely enough - realise that I'm actually in a better place than I thought I am! Questions and feedback has pointed me to themes and ideas I haven't given as much attention before, but now they really seem worth giving more thought when I'm writing my report.
Themes & Questions
One thing that came up is how themes can emerge from one another and it's very interesting to notice those connections. For example in my inquiry about time-management amongst multi-disciplinary performers, I've spoken to my participants about the idea of balance and a lot of them described balance as something active, a choice and a personal decision. Therefore balanced life will look differently for different people. But out of the idea of balance emerged a theme of rest and how difficult it is to allow yourself a day off as a freelancer. And how a lot of performers are battling with a fear of planning things ahead as you can never really know what job, audition or project can come up in the future (it being a week or months ahead). And that is something that could be discussed in a context of mental heath in the performing arts industry.
The themes I can pick out from that progression: balance - rest - planning - anxiety - mental health
What I've also noticed is that the themes are often intertwined and it might be difficult to set them apart completely, which also tells us something about them. In my inquiry I've realised that the idea of balance it very often inseparable from the values people carry and what they consider important to them.
From those themes and connections between them we can also reflect on what further questions do those themes offer. This is important. The questions those themes raise can inform us about the nature of those themes, show us further connections, maybe even beyond the topic we've decided to research in the first place. Most of us won't find definite answers or solutions to the inquiry question. And that's good, because it means we're staying open to different perspectives, we've allowed ourselves to be explorers!
What themes have you noticed connecting and emerging from one another in your analysis? What further questions have you stumbled across? I'd love to hear your thoughts about it in the comments!
Elzbieta xx
Speaking out loud about my analysis helped me to organise my thoughts and strangely enough - realise that I'm actually in a better place than I thought I am! Questions and feedback has pointed me to themes and ideas I haven't given as much attention before, but now they really seem worth giving more thought when I'm writing my report.
Themes & Questions
One thing that came up is how themes can emerge from one another and it's very interesting to notice those connections. For example in my inquiry about time-management amongst multi-disciplinary performers, I've spoken to my participants about the idea of balance and a lot of them described balance as something active, a choice and a personal decision. Therefore balanced life will look differently for different people. But out of the idea of balance emerged a theme of rest and how difficult it is to allow yourself a day off as a freelancer. And how a lot of performers are battling with a fear of planning things ahead as you can never really know what job, audition or project can come up in the future (it being a week or months ahead). And that is something that could be discussed in a context of mental heath in the performing arts industry.
The themes I can pick out from that progression: balance - rest - planning - anxiety - mental health
What I've also noticed is that the themes are often intertwined and it might be difficult to set them apart completely, which also tells us something about them. In my inquiry I've realised that the idea of balance it very often inseparable from the values people carry and what they consider important to them.
From those themes and connections between them we can also reflect on what further questions do those themes offer. This is important. The questions those themes raise can inform us about the nature of those themes, show us further connections, maybe even beyond the topic we've decided to research in the first place. Most of us won't find definite answers or solutions to the inquiry question. And that's good, because it means we're staying open to different perspectives, we've allowed ourselves to be explorers!
What themes have you noticed connecting and emerging from one another in your analysis? What further questions have you stumbled across? I'd love to hear your thoughts about it in the comments!
Elzbieta xx
Hi Elzbieta, thank you very much for sharing this blog post as I was unable to attend the Skype call. Finding the connections between emerging themes has been of great value to me as part of my analysis process. I am glad that you are also finding the value in such connections.
ReplyDeleteMy inquiry is exploring the importance of a creative methodology when teaching Shakespeare. Emerging themes that have developed from creativity are: Multi-intelligences, testing, culture, ethical teaching, teaching styles and the relevance of Shakespeare in our world today!
You have some really interesting themes for exploration there. I can't wait to hear your presentation in January. Jess xx
Hi Jess, thank you for leaving a comment!
DeleteWow, your themes sound really interesting, I can't wait to hear your presentation too - my professional practice also involves teaching so I'm curious of your findings.
Elzbieta xx