BAPP Part 4-Developing Lines of Professional Inquiry

Developing Lines of professional Inquiry-Part 1

It's been a long time since I've made a blog entry and I'm just getting into the swing of starting on this next module. I feel like it's a lot to take in but I say that every time, probably because it takes me a long time to process and understand things so I have to read through them a couple of times. I will do this section in 2 parts because I feel like it's a lot of information to take in.

Task 4a- Asking the right questions 

With regards to developing lines of my professional inquiry, I feel like I touched on some subjects that I maybe wanted to explore more at the end of module 1. For instance, my favourite topic in Module 1 was reflection, as I had never actively thought about reflection in my profession and it changed the way I approach tasks. I also want to incorporate something to do with teaching because that's something that I want to do. So I've got a few ideas but nothing solid yet which I think is a good thing because it'll most likely change and I'll have new ideas after completing all the tasks in Module 2.

The goal is to create a question which will benefit not only myself but fellow dancers, so we can all learn something from each others inquiry questions. So what I have done is gone through Reader 4 and at the end of each section I have thought of a question that relates to it and I will hopefully find something that interests me so I can research it further.

Work based learning

Throughout the course we have all been trying to use what we've learnt in the modules and apply it to the workplace so that we can improve our practices and further our learning. We all have different ways that we work best and working environments that benefit our learning, which is why it's so important that we share our ideas so that we can work together to improve our workplace.

I was interested to learn about Argyris and Schon's concepts of 'theory-in-use' and 'double-loop learning'. From what I understand the former can be split into 'theory-in-use' and 'theory-in-action'. If you give someone a situation and ask them how they would handle it, the answer that they give you is theory in action. Once they act on this theory, it becomes theory in use. But the question is, is the theory of action and use consistent? What you plan out in your head doesn't always happen, in other words the consequences may be unintended and there was a mismatch between your intention and the outcome.

Argyris and Schon suggest two responses to this mismatch which are single and double-loop learning. Single loop learning is where you have a plan but something goes wrong and you have to think of another strategy but you stay within your organisations chosen goals, plans, values and rules. I think that single loop learning applies to big businesses and people that have a variety of strategies that work for them. Reflective learning is minimal here because you have already used the same sort of strategies before, so you're not learning anything new. It is a very safe strategy, you know you can get the results that you set out to achieve. Double loop learning is much more risky, it involves thinking outside the box and rethinking what you've learnt about the rules and regulations of how things should be done. But in the process you could come out with something so much more. It can be difficult to convince others that your new idea will work out though because it has never tested or put into action and therefore how can you be trusted to get the results that your workplace needs? It is a hard to overcome but I think as artist we should strive to be double loop learners and be more creative in our workplace so that something great can come from it.

My question for this section is: Is being a Double loop learner always beneficial for your practice, or is it sometimes best to stick to a method that has proven to consistently work?

Knowledge and Skills in the Workplace

I recently attended One Dance UK launch in Leeds where graduates and professionals in the dance industry talked about their experiences and what to expect from the dance world. There were a variety of people from the industry from choreographers, to activity coordinators and freelance producers so it was a very helpful insight to the world of dance and  how many aspects there are to it. I think it particularly helps me with this section because we are focusing on the difference between disciplinary and transdisciplinary learning.

Disciplinary learning can be seen as wide knowledge on one particular subject. You are an expert in your field, you know the characteristics and procedures of your community. You don't really stray far from what you know and sort of similar to single loop learning, you don't explore new ways to do things. The up side is that you know which strategies work well and what gets the job done and also people know who to go to for expert advise with your level of expertise. However, Raelin describes why competence might not be enough, it means that people aren't looking for new ways to tackle things because their managers or bosses have told them a specific way that the company has been doing it for years and they just want to do it right which is generic competencies.

Workplace knowledge doesn't always fit into categories so is described as transdisciplinary. I understand this as someone who knows a little or basic knowledge about lots of different things within their practice. It makes you a versatile worker and someone that can be put to any task. Kate Cox who attended Launch Leeds is a Co-founder of Gracefool Collective a contemporary dance company in leeds which incorporates dance, comedy and theatre. When Kate spoke about her company she explained that she had no idea how much time she would spend sending emails to funders, setting up the website, advertisement and all the things that come with setting up your own company and being self employed. This is a perfect example of why you need to be transdisciplinary in the Workplace. This is why when we were at the Launch we learnt about a variety of things you need to do when you're in the dance industry e.g. if you're self employed you need to do your own taxes.

Therefore my question at the end of this section is: Is it more beneficial a disciplinary of a transdisciplinary person in your workplace? (specifically thinking about Your situation)

That concludes the first part of Developing Lines of my Professional Inquiry part 1. I hope to interact with a few people on the course and get their ideas.