Little Wonders

The past week I have been going through the handbooks and looking up about the MORE forms that I have to do for this module. At the moment it all seems very overwhelming and confusing! But I remember feeling this way at the start of module 1 and I kept pushing through the unknown and telling myself it’s about the journey, not the destination. It’s ok to not know, but keep pushing forward and have belief that I can do it.

‘It is not ‘not knowing’ that is the problem. It is the lack of doing.’

 George Siemens, Page 124

The past few months I have been thinking about the direction I want my inquiry to take. I have had a few ideas- some that link together and some that are more stand alone. After having my supervisor meeting, I have started mapping down the ideas and seeing what comes to me and interests me. One of the phrases in the handbook I really like is ‘little wonders.’ As I have been mapping out my ideas, I have been connecting them with the handbook to see what feels right and makes sense to my own practice.

Finding a focus is important, but as I’ve been reading through the ‘cycle of thinking’, it is becoming clear that it is ok when your going through the cycle that your idea may evolve and change.

 There is a lot to be aware of and steps to take when planning a practical based inquiry:

  • Find a focus- your ‘little wonder’, what do you want to learn more about? It’s not about forcing an answer to a question.
  • Looking at key texts and research that has already been done on the topic.
  • Ethics and how your research will affect others.
  • Methodology- what approach are you going to take to do your research?
  • Having a clear plan and structure to your research.
  • Why are you doing this research? What does it mean and what are you going to do with the results?

These are the basic steps I am focusing on. I am excited to find my ‘little wonder’ and to get going with what I will find.  


References

Siemens. G. (2006) Knowing Knowledge. Lulu.com 

Comments

  1. Scarlett Holloway20 September 2020 at 08:55

    Hello Alys, Great blog post. I also remember the uncertainty staring module one but beginning module three I have a lot more direction and am keen to get going and begin researching.
    It's really key to find a focus but I found that my ideas were constantly shifting when planning the inquiry so my advise would be not to focus too much on one idea and be open to new suggestions and pathways.
    Enjoy, hope this helps - speak soon:-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alys May-James21 September 2020 at 08:56

      Hi Scarlett,
      yes it does thank you! I have a few ideas at the moment so trying to find literature on them to see what feels right for me. Its reassuring to hear that things change throughout and its ok! :)

      Delete
  2. Anonymous21 September 2020 at 00:55

    Hi Alys. I have been reading through the module two handbook and I think you have summarized the cycle extremely well. It will be an interesting journey to see where our inquiry proposals end up as it sounds like shifts and changes are to be expected!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alys May-James21 September 2020 at 08:58

      Hi Jacqueline,
      Thank you- I've being trying to get my head around the cycle so I thought blogging would help! It's definitely going to be interesting and I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone else's ideas are :)

      Delete
  3. Emma Dalton21 September 2020 at 01:18

    Hi Alys,
    I feel completely the same! Completely overwhelmed and confused, but as you quite rightly mentioned, its the same feeling that i experienced in module 1 and therefore by just giving myself time it will all begin to make more sense. I really look forward to hearing more about your inquiry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alys May-James21 September 2020 at 08:54

      Hi Emma,
      I'm breaking it down into bite size bits that I can manage and just keep reminding myself that its ok to not know things! I look forward to hearing about your inquiry too! :)

      Delete
  4. anushkaconway23 September 2020 at 08:25

    Hi Alys,
    sounds like you've got a good grip on what we need to do for this module and I can't wait to discuss our inquiries further as we progress! xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kate-Anne Fenton27 September 2020 at 05:23

    Hi Alys, it is always the 'doing' that is key and have certainly learnt that too from mod 1, to not focus and what you don't know and just get going and started! Hope your little wonders are continuing to develop!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Paul Flannigan27 September 2020 at 11:09

    Hi Alys, great blog! You explain the cycle amazingly! It is reassuring to me that we are all having similar thought processes, as in Module 1, and feeling slightly confused and overwhelmed but I am also excited to see what comes out of all of our research and what our inquiry proposals end up being. I am going to do a blog on some research I have been doing on research and would love to know if you have delved into this yet? I look forward to reading more of your blogs this term, Paul :) x

    ReplyDelete

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