3b - The Needs Analysis

Regarding the enquiry need, I have spoken to directors of inclusive theatre groups and discovered the need for ways forward for the theatre work they do and the need to grow and allow for more movement in expanding to larger groups of people.
Another need was sought was to offer the individual a more active role in the community by participating in theatre performances which develops gradual tolerance in the mainstream community. For children, the need is to target the National Agenda of Child Maters. Putting into practice the needs of the child and the national policies goals which also helps the institution find its targets and focus on their priorities.
ultimately, the enquiry is to find some kind of continuum for the three different theatre group and find their inclusive identity.

Im kind of visualising this as a trianglular model ?

Could be a good idea if you agree with me to take this model and maybe develop it outwards and even have it as an initial starting point - models are wonderful (speaking from a visually motivated person's point of view) as they allow me to set down on paper in a 2D env my ideas and then once considered develop on from.

So..... it could be:

                  'Ways Forward' -- (Growth)
                                            |
           --------------------------------------------------------------------
           | |
--------------------- -------------------
'The Individual' (engagement/ community) Practical application of Policy/Agenda

so much for my diagram - somehow in the formatting that all went pear shaped but you get the idea I hope ? :-)

Thank you Hamish. Yes I do. That doe sound very helpful. What do you think about the ven diagram of three to present a comparison of inclusive groups' needs?

To try to identify needs I have conducted a series of classroom observations in which I have tried to clear my mind of preconceptions and let the individual situations 'speak' to me. I have found that, although I had some doubts of its usefulness, I have had my initial ideas turned upside down and then rearranged, by the situations I have observed, so that I have come back to place that I started but for very different reasons and a tremendous amount more knowledge. I now know which documents I need to access and what to look for in my future observations and I have firm ideas obout data collection instruments.

I find observations very useful allowing for reflective journaling which I will use.

Observation is ..and can be a most useful tool Jessica - Have you seen what Robson has to say about it?

While Im on the subject of 'Robson'.....uhum.....just checking that everyone has a copy or access to a copy?

It's in Chapter 11 - Here's a good starter for 10

http://midwhebonline.org.uk/[…]/file

Yes I have and found it very helpful. Also reassuring because I have limited literature on the topic

Yes peter - Good first move but being the devil's advocate here Im just wondering if it's ever possible to clear ones mind of pre-conceptions .....like is it possible we can ever be neuttral/unbiased or without preconceptions? Some would agree 'yes....of course it is' - others in research and academia would strongly disagree

Im not condemning your actions :-)....quite the contrary actually - but just doing a little 'awareness raising'

H :-)

I take your point entirely. I feel that it is never possible to erase your past - and in some ways why would you want to? What I am trying to explore in my own mind is how to make future observations reliable through some kind of a system of checks and balances. I have robson on screen at the moment and I will do some work looking for similar.

Peter

I have seen clearly that my institution needs to define what the institution means by terms that tend to roll off the tongue but in fact mean different things to different people. The site www.dyslexics.org.uk gives, what can be seen as a fairly radical viewpoint. I don't know who writes it - does anybody else? This viewpoint (the site) is fairly well at odds with the views at my school.

Hamish do you know?

Hi,

I find it difficult to slalom between the Ofsted reports and the KHDA (Dubai) reports. It seems to be that the Education Authority in Dubai is under a huge pressure coming from the educational companies, like GEMS; in Dubai there are only private schools. I hear rumours that the KHDA will be knocked out quite soon. Private schools are choosing international curriculums to avoid the KHDA inspections. Papers are heading most of the time with the financial investers, first and then with the ministery.

How can I reflect on this Ofsted vs KHDA in the national, and school needs?

http://gulfnews.com/news/gu[…]-being-inconsistent-1.67339

Thanks,

Willem

This is a tricky one Willem and I'm not going to pretend that there is one clear definitive answer....because I dont think there is but I also don't think that there is a clear wrong way of dealing with this as long as you make it clear (just like you have done here briefly) that there is conflicting opinions - dealing with conflict could be a good way to consider triangulating these opposing or contrary viewpoints and then seeking to find a neutral area for related and relating directives

Thanks! I just finished unit 2. I refer to Ofsted reports as I need to explain terms like 'SEN' or the backing up the IEP philosophy, and I refer to KHDA when explaining national and school needs. The school needs is a mix Ofsted, IBO and KHDA. Hope that will work. You will receive my work soon.

Rectification: there are public schools in Dubai. Maybe that's why the KHDA still exists.

Willem
Doha - Qatar

In some ways the situation is similar for private schools in this country. The inspection systems are very different. My school, for example, is much more worried about what the ISJC inspection teams (they anticipate one any second now!) may say than any OFSTED inspection. You really have to consider who they are trying to please and no.1, 2, etc... on the list must be the parents and the perceptions they broadcast to the outside world, in particular the Independent school world.