And waking up yesterday morning began week 3, day 1 of module three, which means the first week of research! Tonight is my first class of four research classes. All the other research pieces in terms of having enough classes to teach have fallen into place, which is a wonderful thing, so I'm good to go there.
Unfortunately, I'm seeing my survey section fall apart, as I've only gotten one response back with deadlines of tonight and tomorrow night for the students who got it last week. It's a pity, since I was really hoping to hear more of my students' thoughts surrounding musicality. At least the one response I got was very illuminating.
So that's that for research specifics. Yesterday we had our first monthly skype in which we talked a lot about building trust between researcher and student as well as the ins and outs of the assessment process. I think I phrased my original discussion point on trust rather poorly--I got very helpful advice (thank you to all who commented!) on building trust with my students, but I was actually thinking more along the lines of how research requires us, the researcher, to trust others.
Having to find places last minute, waiting for survey results, asking people to interview (who so far all have said yes, but of course they didn't have to), and so on all highlights how much of the process is out of my control. I can do my best on this project, but ultimately, if none of my students consent to being part of the research when I arrive in class tonight and tomorrow, there goes half my project in smoke! So I'm trying not to think about it too much, since I can't do anything about it. It really does require a lot of trust in people's general goodness and willingness to help out. In that sense, research is quite frightening. But it's also quite exciting, since it is a real collaboration with others, which can only enrich the process.
Tell me your stories of trusting other people and the process in the comments!
Hi Hannah - I understand why you might feel frightened if that was the case - however if it was (I'm sure it won't be!) you could actually use that as part of your reflective practice - you could research more into why students didn't consent to take part in those particular classes. I don't know much about your practice but it could be to do with peer groups, lack of confidence or shyness. And that would be a really interesting topic to look at! Although we have to bring ourselves and trust into the equation when looking at this their could also be individual variables you may not be able to account for - so don't worry! I'm sorry I missed the chat I hope to join in the next one!! x
ReplyDeleteIt would definitely be an interesting topic to look at, but I'm glad this time around I don't have to delve into it, honestly. I've got about a 75+% participation rate so I'm pretty pleased!
DeleteLooking forward to chatting with you in the next skype!
Hello Hannah. I am reading (unfortunately very slowly) the "doing your research" book by Judith bell. also unfortunately I only have the 3rd edition because it was the most readily available. I am not sure if you have read it, (you probably have) but it talks a lot about trust between researcher, subjects, supervisors, and peers. as well as a few ways of establishing trust. I am not sure how it would work with younger students. But I would think about some of the strategies and adapting them with my own ideas to make them more easily interpretable for children.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yeah, I remember the Bell book being really good and helpful.
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