Planning an inquiry - Module 2

Hello all,

Nice to be back on Skype with some of you reconnecting as we are about to begin Module 2 (or which ever Module you are on). To be honest I thought I understood what this coming module was all about but I think I am more confused now then ever. However, the Skype call did bring some clarity to certain questions. As always, we were each asked to write a Blog following the call to sum up what stood out to us, hopefully to help fill each other in on what was discussed. I have chosen to talk about planning an inquiry, mostly because I am confused in this area and I feel that if I have to write about it then maybe it will help me understand my own thoughts & notes and possibly some of you will respond with your ideas to further all of our understanding on how to go about this module!

I believe it was Helen who mentioned that it is good to think of this module as a Field of Research rather than a Research Topic. This way the seed of an idea can grow into a wide range of areas and fields to explore to bring together the research. Throughout the Skype I noticed that both Helen and Adesola continued to replace the work "question" with "inquiry", I think to subconsciously remind us that we are entering a time of inquiry, not of solving problems or answering questions. Thinking about this journey as a "field of research" and/or "inquiry" has brought some clarity to the purpose of this module and the MA in general.
However, I am still confused! So I will keep talking through what I heard today….
Adesola asked us the question "What makes something useful to research?" - this conversation went on to ask further questions… "Does all research or do all questions need to have answers?" or  "Is research about finding our more about something?" - Although there is no definitive answer to any of these questions, we all agreed that research is about finding our more about something meaningful.
So… how do we each choose what is meaningful for us to research? This is where I am getting stuck, and by the sounds of everyone else in our Skype group, we are all struggling with this. I have a few areas of interest that I could see taking my MA research in. However as I mentioned this morning (my time, evening UK time) I want to choose a topic that I am passionate about but will also carry within me into my future practice and will be respected/desired by the dance community in Canada and maybe even abroad.
Helen did a great job of explaining how to plan an inquiry. She mentioned things such as:
- What is it?
- Follow curiosity - pose questions to self about topic
- Explore every facet
- What am I asking? - allow the inquiry to create more questions (not answers)
- How do I plan?
- Is it something I can take forward with me?
- What have other people said about this topic? (Literature)
- Is it a viable topic? (Literature will help decide this)
- Have others already done this?
- What questions do I need to ask in order to find meaning?
- Our research inquiry is part of a further journey - beginning with our already build expertise - considering all that was discovered in our AOL's - continuing into our inquiry into research topics - being carried our through our thesis - and then going with us into our future practice.

"Let yourself speak for yourself" (either Helen or Adesola said this) - our own history and practice emerges into our themes of research. This struck me! It made me question if the topic ideas I have written down are potentially not the direction my MA is supposed to go. Am I not speaking for myself when I am attempting to steer my MA in a direction that will be suitable for my current employer, community, or future jobs? I am having a hard time letting myself think about this, because I feel if I open up my mind to other possibilities, I may never be able to choose! For the past month I have been thinking about the idea of looking at how Modern dance can be taught to young children. But now I wonder if that is an inquiry worthy of research or something I could do on my own. Through the Skype call I began thinking about the idea of how students who are training in Ballet and Jazz or Modern technique benefit from Modern technique (specifically Limon technique). While I grew up focusing on Ballet, I have spent the last 10 years training in and teaching Modern/Contemporary technique. At our studio Ballet is definitely the focus. Our students take multiple Ballet classes a week but only 1 Jazz/Modern class (where I teach ISTD Modern Theatre syllabus to the younger students and Limon based technique to the older students). I struggle with the mindset that Ballet is the end all be all. To be having strong Ballet technique is crucial! BUT… Modern technique is where you learn to move your spine, release your weight, experience suspension, discover groundedness, etc…. And this understanding of movement is so beneficial for the Ballet dancer. I am a strong believer that dancers benefit from having multiple outlets in terms of technique. I think that each technique can build up the other if taught and training correctly. I would also include fitness training to this as well. Whether it is pilates, yoga, athletic training, or any other physical activity. Well rounded dancers who have strong base technique and healthy bodies have so much going for them! Our studio has teamed up with a gym here in Calgary that specializes in Sports Conditioning/training. Some of our students and many of our teachers are training in weights and track. I have felt a change in my own strength and an curious to see how this could benefit our students. Anyway I am babbling now! I will save this for my journal!

Well I think that is all of the info I have to share. As you can see I am in a place of confusion and hope that my rambling out ideas did not add to your confusion! Maybe together we can talk through this. I would love to hear your thoughts, what you got out of your Skype call, and any wisdom regarding Research Inquiry!

Also - I had a thought during the Skype. I would love to Skype more often if anyone is interested. Maybe 1 other time each month. If anyone if interested in adding a Skype conversation to the mix let me know! The only problem is that I am 7 hrs behind the UK, so I can only do afternoon or evening UK time. If not, we have Linkedin and Blogs for support!

Ainsley