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Inititial introductions and welcome

Welcome to the new Action Enquiry & Dissertation Module.

It would be good to break the ice and help each other especially if we are working in similar areas.

We have a year to support your submission.

The beauty of the online community area is it's strength and ability to share discussion/ issues you are considering or facing with your research or just a great way to ask a question of others in the group.

But first we need to get to know each other - please take some time to introduce yourself to the rest of the group.

 

 Write a very brief paragraph;

  • Who you are.
  • Where you currently work.
  • What your project might be / could be focused upon.

(Please keep  contributions to a succinct paragraph on any topic. We will use the information  to plan the programme. You may use it to identify "study buddies" to work and share ideas and material with.)

 

Taking an active participative role in the OLC area is crucial to your success on the course - We now know from hard evidence that those students who spend the time to liaise with their supervisors, communicate frequently with them and build a strong tutor/student relationship  will stand a far higher chance of a good pass than those who simply don't participate. We therefore ask that you contribute and at least visit twice a week. We also will be creating learning sets for you and your tutor /supervisor will give you more information about this as the course develops in the next month or so. Your peers in the learning set will be your online / f2f study buddies for this module

...........................................

Good advice from Ian (from a conversation below)

 

  1. Keep to what you can do as a practitioner and avoid big complex questions.
  2. Think of three simple stages_ 1 Read up on what is the best known practice. 2. Implement it 3. Collect data on what happens.
  3. Focus on "Critically evaluate " blah" in a single case (where blah is your practice)
  4. Don't lose sight of using the small scale case study to generate some insights for others doing a similar job.
Document Actions

Welcome and hello...please introduce yourself

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Feb 02, 2012 11:38 AM
Hi everyone,

you've found us online and that's a good thing - this is the place online where we host module related discussions & module related aspects conversations which you'll want to engage in......share your own issues that you may well be facing and offer advice to others who may have similar questions.

I'm the module leader of the Dissertation and Action Enquiry modules and along with my other colleagues we'll be here to help and supervise - you will be receiving private emails from your supervisors when we allocate these out....please take 5 minutes now to introduce yourself and give others a small biog of who you are and where you are working etc.

Welcome once again and I hope you all enjoy the Action Enquiry and Dissertation modules

Welcome and hello...please introduce yourself

Posted by Hulya at Feb 02, 2012 01:29 PM
Hi all,

My name is Hulya Zeki and beginning a dissertation. I have bgun a new job and am now a nurture teacher within a primary school, with Key stage 2 children. I wanted to focus on 'Whether nurture groups develop successful learners' and was hoping to base this on case studies of children, perhaps one that has been through the nurture group and another that was selected and parents have said No, to compare the outcomes. This would also involve monitoring children over a period of time to track their attitude to learning etc.
Any ideas on this would be welcome, or suggestions on collecting data.

Thanks Hulya Zeki

Intro

Posted by Suzanne Thrower at Feb 03, 2012 04:41 PM
HI Everyone, I am Suzanne Thrower and I am a secondary teacher of ICT and a qualified SENCo.
I am embarking on the dissertation and wanted to focus on the effect of setting and the impact on motivation for pupils with learning difficulties. I work at a high achieving girls'school in Hertfordshire where the emphasis is on Gifted and Talented and languages.
I am hoping that the findings of my research may effect change within the school.

Intro

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Feb 09, 2012 12:54 PM
Hi Suzanne,
i replied to another comment you posted (thanks) on the Bulletin Board - your topic sounds interesting and something that i think will make a very viable and credible Action Enquiry - good methodology to use too for this

Introduction

Posted by Donna Chuula at Feb 03, 2012 08:45 PM
Hello,

My name is Donna Chuula.I am embarking on the Dissertation module starting Jan 2012. My current role is SENCo at the American International School of Lusaka, Zambia which is in Central/ Southern Africa. My previous module was focussed on boys achievement and motivation in school. I find this topic very interesting especially when related to special needs. I am also interested in how single sex groupings can benefitbboth boys and girls. I touched on this topic in my last module and might choose to further my study of it. I have not quite decided what focus my dissertation should take.

I'm looking forward to the year.

Donna

Introduction

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Feb 09, 2012 12:58 PM
Hi Donna,
welcome again to the final Dissertation module - I recognise your name from the AE one of last year. I wasnt aware that you were as far away as Zambia, Africa. Welcome to the module. Im thinking here immediately that we'll have a good mix but some common threads of interest and that will assist the learning sets for peer support and discussion.

Im emailing everyone some more details about the learning sets later this week.
This will be where you can all share and discuss module material by looking at draft copies of the module components - one of the big advantages of the Online area. We use a system called Dropbox as well as the threads in here - ,more on that later

Hello from Seoul

Posted by Claire Olivier at Feb 05, 2012 02:38 AM
Hello. I am currently working as a learning support teacher in Seoul and I would like to focus on how we can support ADD and dyslexic learners with self regulation and organization by using a unified mentoring approach and improving staff consistency. I am really excited about it! Good luck to everyone

Action Enquiry Module

Posted by Eloise Christen at Feb 05, 2012 01:13 PM
Hi Everyone

I'm Eloise Christen and a January 2012 start student on the Action Enquiry Module. I work in a small preparatory school in Enfield. I am the school's sports coordinator and teach all the junior children. I would like to base my research on competition in sports for primary aged children. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Eloise

introduction

Posted by Catherine Seymour at Feb 05, 2012 05:47 PM
hi all
My name is Cate Seymour. I am director of science at a North London secondary school. I would like to do my dissertation on the impact of personalisation of learning.

introduction

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Feb 09, 2012 12:59 PM
Hi Cate,
welcome......good choice of topic for an Action Enquiry methinks - you did the Action Enquiry module last year right ? Good idea to build on what you did on that module.

H

Greetings from Trondheim Norway

Posted by cheryl yeo at Feb 05, 2012 06:13 PM
Hello everyone!
I am Cheryl Yeo, a Montessori Teacher from Singapore. I have been living and working in various schools (International, Bilingual), in various countries/cultures. Singapore, Thailand, Tokyo, Beijing, Prague, Budapest. I am currently living and working in Trondheim NOrway. I am both a Montessori teacher and Advisor for the kindergarten (from 16months -6yrs). It being the 1st Montessori kindergarten in Trondheim. Also providing English as Bilingual programme. This is my 2nd year with Middlesex, the 1st year is MA Inclusive Ed (SEBD).
On my previous research focus, I was concentrating on Montessori Ed as a form of Inclusive Ed (SEBD) and created a model study of Montessori and other progressive educational methods (Pikler + REggio Emilia). And how they aids Inclusive Ed (in SEBD). A lot of my research also dealt with local context - Budapest, HUngary.

This year, I would like to stay within Montessori Ed (as being my specific field). Within local context of Norway.
Montessori is still fairly new in NOrway, more popular is Steiner.
So far, I am playing with the following topics of research interest.

1. Can Montessori Education be a form of Inclusion Education in Norway?
2. Montessori in Norway – as an Inclusive Educational programme in early years setting
3. Montessori and Norway – Can this educational method fit the culture? As part of an Inclusive Education?

I am not 100% sure of the direction.
Would greatly appreciate any/all pointers, feedback, comments and insights.
Look forward to more exchange, discussions, etc.
Should anyone be interested, my email is cherylyeo25@hotmail.com
Happy week ahead! With much regards, Cheryl :)

Greetings from Trondheim Norway

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Feb 09, 2012 01:05 PM
Hi Cheryl,
what an interesting biog and series of travels you have so far in your folio.....congratulations.

Your desire to stay within the Montessori topic area would be wise - this is your area of expertise so we want really to enhance what you already know (or dont know) with this module....I say 'we' but of course this is 'your' Dissertation and your area of study.....so my thoughts initially on your 3 bulleted points are that I'd like to see a tighter focus and more detailed investigation within a smaller area.
Does that make sense?
What many fail to do is look closely at the smaller 'patch' - but some students can veer off looking at a larger broader area and then have a less intensive analysis section that reveals less or little data.

Bullet 3 - 3. Montessori and Norway – Can this educational method fit the culture? As part of an Inclusive Education? Hmmmm...........interesting but how long do you think something like this would take? I was initially thinking 5 years.....we have 10 months at most. Keep it small and self contained. Do you see what I mean?

H

Greetings from Trondheim Norway

Posted by cheryl yeo at Feb 11, 2012 10:42 PM
Thank you Hamish.
I understand and appreciate your feedback.
I will have a good think and get back to you.
Cheryl

Greetings from Trondheim Norway

Posted by cheryl yeo at Feb 15, 2012 11:28 PM
After much consideration, I have 'brainstorm' on the following:

1. Action Enquiry - Society cohesion is an important feature of the Montessori environment : Can it leads to Inclusive Education in aiding children with SEBD?

OR

2. Critical review - Teaching Grace and Courtesy in a Montessori Classroom : How important will this element be for Inclusive Education, especially for children with SEBD?

The current in the school is role-modeling, teaching and showing how to carry out Grace and Courtesy in the classroom, school.
Also among teaching staff, we often discuss and talk about how montessori ed gears towards society cohesion (the bigger picture).
My work advocate is the school manager, Linda Hoff.

I have started my 1st draft of unit 1 - initial plan and focus. Which I believe is due by 20Feb.
I hope and look forward in getting inputs/feedback from you.
When I kinda get the 'feel' of my draft, I will follow up with Task 1 (outlining the Plan).

Question - Ian and/or Hamish
How do you want student to publish or submit their doc. / task(s) from the module guide?
Much appreciate your time and ongoing feedback.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Good day ahead! Cheryl

Greetings from Trondheim Norway

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Feb 20, 2012 02:56 PM
Hello Cheryl,

Within the system there is an online area to store your own folders and drafts - these can be shared with others but I admit it can sometimes be tricky to remember to add the direct link back to where your work lies......so.....everyone listening? I use a system called dropbox which I'll explain briefly how it works.

Online sharing of files in the cloud - allows you to store your drafts that you want your peers or learning set members to read and comment on in an online folder accessible from your desktop.

Maybe rather than include the entire or condensed info in here cheryl we could utilise the 'dropbox' folder for such info and keep the threads here for commenting on work within the folders.

In the meantime.....thanks for doing this and wait for an email in the next 24hrs inviting the jan online group to a shared drop box folder where drafts can easily be placed , read by others and reviewed

Greetings from Trondheim Norway

Posted by cheryl yeo at Feb 21, 2012 09:34 PM
Wow, really...
Another 'system'? Another way of file storage?
Sounds rather confusing and ok... let me know how this works. Thanks!
Cheryl

Introduction

Posted by Ohunene Oliyide at Feb 05, 2012 07:38 PM
Hi, My name is Ohunene Tosin Oliyide . I currently work in an independent school in Birmingham as the SENCO and a science teacher. I am particularly interested in the impact of quality first teaching on the progress made by SEN pupils and would like to address the following key questions:
Are all teachers, teachers of SEN?
Can we train classroom teachers to adequately teach children with SEN?
Impact of specialist teachers of SEN vs quality first teaching by all teacher on pupil progress?
I would most likely be using my school as a case study and will see how things go from there.

Introduction

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Feb 09, 2012 01:15 PM
hello Ohunene,

another SENCO? so it makes sense then to keep all this within your remit but I just think your questions that you want to address might be a little hard to find answers for?? Especially : Are all teachers, teachers of SEN? - this isn't really digging under the surface to find a an answer.....you need to be looking a a lot smaller an area with a finer detail

Your school will be the best area for you to work comfortably in for this module I would say

Hello!

Posted by Alexia Hilas at Feb 06, 2012 06:03 PM
Hey everyone,

My name's Alexia Hilas and I'm about to begin my dissertation (bit nervous!). I'm currently teaching a reception class (4-5 year olds) and have been doing so for the last 4 years! I'm planning on focusing on the impact that having support in a child's home language has on their learning in comparison to children that only have support in English.

Good luck all! Alexia

Hello!

Posted by Anthony Skip Basiel at Feb 07, 2012 03:43 PM
Hello everyone -
Good to see so many introductions.
We hope this will lead to you making study partners and helping each other with proof reading your drafts.
Try to develop a good peer-review support network.
yours
Dr Anthony 'Skip' Basiel
mdxPartnership Tutor

Hello!

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Feb 09, 2012 01:44 PM
Hi Alexia

Great topic....now start to think how this can be trimmed down a little and how past literature will underpin this - great for an AE I think

should be good :-)

H

intro

Posted by Zita Baracsi at Feb 14, 2012 02:23 PM
Hello,

My name is Zita Baracsi and I am an Art Teacher at a private EBD school in Sussex. In recent years we began to have some talented students, and in September I started with my first GCSE Art student. It is a completely new direction for us and so I wish to study and develop our GCSE Art curriculum through the Action Inquiry module within Gifted Education. I am particularly interested in exploring G&T in the realm of EBD.
I am new to distance learning and feel somewhat insecure regarding discussions and lecture participation online but I suppose it will improve in time.

intro

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Feb 20, 2012 01:49 PM
Hi Zita,
first of all welcome in here and thanks for writing your topic ideas for us to hear about - definately something that will fit the model of AE (Action Enquiry) and i like the idea that its a new direction for you at your school - that way i feel it will add some value added to not just your own school but to your regional centres and others that you can cascade this research back to.

Working in the online env is different I admit, but we have a great strength here in numbers as we can share and never feel the isolation that for many is a difficult stumbling block on dissertation or final MA modules......ask away in here and begin to forge professional friendships and relationships using the medium and you'll find it really does accelerate your confidence and knowledge - take for example the comments below by Emma & Clare on Social stories - whether or not Emma has heard of this , others now have the added experience of reading about it and possibly seeing how this can be utilised within their own study/research - I always felt that online learning community is like a 'cookie jar' - begin to get into the habit of taking from it but remember too that you need to donate as well as take otherwise it will never make a positive contribution to the group.

Action Enquiry

Posted by Emma Donnelly at Feb 17, 2012 02:22 PM
Hi. I'm Emma and I work as a Specialist Support Teacher for the Early Intervention Service in Warwickshire. My job entails working with schools to help them develop their SEN provision, as well as some direct work with children. Last year I worked on a training package to support schools with their management of children with attachment difficulties. The area that I'm thinking about exploring for this module is the use of story to enhance emotional literacy, and hopefully progress and behaviour, in KS1 pupils. Due to the nature of my work, I feel it needs to improve my service in order to facilitate school improvement, and this would be a focus that is pertinent to most of my schools.

Emma

Social stories

Posted by Clare Martin at Feb 19, 2012 04:17 PM
Just a thought - have you come across Social Stories at all?

They were devised with ASD pupils in mind but have a lot of uses for all sorts of social skills work, especially as you write them for a specific individual to help them deal with a specific situation.

Clare

Social stories

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Feb 20, 2012 01:42 PM
Good point Clare.....thanks for posting this :-)
http://www.polyxo.com/socialstories/
and
http://www.thegraycenter.org/[…]/what-are-social-stories

make some good reading and probably something that Emma can investigate and possibly develop further??

INteresting and very good topic Emma.....are you planning on going down the Action Enquiry route?

Introduction

Posted by Sahbi Benzid at Feb 17, 2012 03:24 PM
Hi there,

My name is Sahbi Benzid and I am a secondary teacher of ICT, currently teaching in Hertfordshire. I am embarking on the dissertation and wanted to carry out an evaluative enquiry of eSafety in the Key Stage 3 ICT / PSHE Curriculum.

Thanks and good luck to everyone.

Sahbi

Introduction

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Feb 20, 2012 01:36 PM
Hi Sahbi,
wow....eSafety?? interesting and probably minefield topic to work on but certainly something again that will make a very encouraging and useful resource and data set for your school and importantly others too - def an area for a good Action Enquiry - I see you submitted your plan recently - thanks....we aim to have these returned v soon with some feedback and hopefully green lights to get going on these

I will also be creating a supervisor /student list which i'll post back in here from the Bulletin Board and front page - that way we'll all have a contact person but please remember to keep all your communication transparent and use the conversations in here for module related questions - that way the 'knowledge' is shared amongst many and not just between you and me or your supervisor in a private email comm - Thanks
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