Adventures in Teaching and Learning

Bassey wrote that research is a:

systematic, critical and self-critical enquiry which aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge

But where did he write this? This is an example of the difficulties I am finding with writing my methodology section for my Masters dissertation. I have the following references:

Bassey, M, Research Matters, c. 1991, R136.

Bassey, Research Intelligence, 35 Part 2:9, undated.

Bassey, 1995.

Bassey, 1999: 38

He (Bassey? not sure) adopts Stenhouse’s definition of research as … (Stenhouse, 1975?)

Bassey (1999) in Coleman and Briggs (2002:5) …

Bassey, 1990: 35

Michael Bassey … Creating Education Through Research, Kirklington, Newark: Kirklington Moor Press, 1996. (I don’t think he says it in here, necessarily, but it’s the only document so far that I’ve found by “M. Bassey” … Having a first name somehow makes him seem more human!)

Aha, I’ve now discovered a document from the ATL that says that Bassey, in 2005, was emeritus professor of education at Nottingham … (I presume Nottingham Uni rather than Nottingham Trent, but that’s only because I did some research there myself back in 2000 and something. Maybe I was in the same building as him at one time!) (Now he’s really becoming real!)

Now I’ve reached Amazon and can see a list of books. Lots to do with primary teaching … but there’s also:

Creating Education Through Research: A Global Perspective of Educational Research for the 21st Century by Michael Bassey (Paperback – 11 Sep 1995)

and

Case Study Research in Educational Settings (Doing Qualitative Research in Educational Settings) by Michael Bassey (Hardcover – 1 May 1999)

He probably has used this quote in numerous situations, and perhaps even in these two books. But what should I write in my dissertation as the reference? You see, I like the quote, and have explained why I think it’s appropriate, but it’s such a long time since I started this essay (I started it around Christmas time …) that I cannot remember where I got the reference I used. I can see another reference in my notes from my tutor, but again, I’m not exactly sure of the publication details, and what does “R136″ mean anyway? Is it some sort of page number?

Well, I’ll go on and see what I can do, but if anyone out there has the answer (Michael Bassey, can you hear me?!) then I’d be grateful to hear from you … preferably by the end of the weekend!!!

Open Evening

Here is a slideshow I’ve just made up using some of the images from our Open Evening last month. What do you think? It was really easy to put together. Perhaps I could use this to make starters for lessons … As long as I can access this website from school, that is!

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Today is Blog Action Day, as previously mentioned. So it’s time to blog on environmental matters. Which is appropriate, because I have just marked my Year 8 assessments, which have dealt with the topic of the environment – the school environment, to be precise. They had to write a letter to the School Council describing three areas of the school that they would like to be improved, and why. They also had to try and connect their views to Biblical teachings on the environment. There were certainly some vivid descriptions of the toilets, as there have been whenever and wherever I’ve handed out this exercise, and also of the classrooms in general.

***

Very strange. This was a whole post, that continued for some time … and I’ve just realised that it didn’t go up on Blog Action Day! Oh dear. I wonder what happened … ??

I went on to mention that I should have asked the class to also write about the good things that the school is doing for the environment, for example the increase in recycling. I am delighted we now have lots of recycling at school!

There was a large turn-out to the Leading Edge gathering at Hornsey Girls’ School on Thursday. It was good to meet up with colleagues in other schools to share good ideas. The lead speaker started with a short clip from Casablanca with an educational voice over – a good use of new technologies to gain attention in the class.

I also gave my first presentation of my findings from the research I completed for my Masters dissertation. It was actually quite useful to have that focus to draw my findings together and to think of different ways of presenting some of my findings. Next week I will need to write it all up and get it bound for the beginning of November. I think I will put a copy of my presentation on here, once I have worked out how to present it best.

We had the first of four Feast Days at school today, and it was my form’s. I was therefore very priveleged to be able to hear Mark Prince talk about the killing of his son, Kiyan. I was only there for the second part of the talk, when Mark was answering questions, but the answers were very moving. The students were also obviously moved and challenged by his talk about how he lost his son when he was stabbed outside school. I hope that all the pupils, and many others throughout London, will be able to hear first hand how knives can affect families.

Hopefully a little badge will appear above that advertises Blog Action Day.

I’m a bit concerned that the YouTube videos I have posted recently are not showing up.

I should add – we had Teachers’ TV in yesterday, and the pupils were fantastic. They were so well behaved and some were brave enough to answer the questions very clearly – I think they were better than me! And I was red “like a cherry”, according to one of my pupils! I could feel myself getting hotter and hotter in the cheeks as we were about to start filming! It was quite hot in the ICT suite, but I think I was just a bit embarrassed!

Blog Action Day 2007

Hope this video shows up … On Monday I need to write a post about the environment for Blog Action Day.

It’s always nice to stumble accidentally over educational blogs. Read Susan Sedro’s post with tips for starting new technologies for a few good ideas and some encouragement when piloting new ideas with your classes. In turn, her post directed me to Kim Cofino’s blog, another blog charting Kim’s progress with using new technologies with her classes. She also has a long selection of blogs on her links. I’m slowly making my way through them, trying to visit and see what I can learn! I liked the idea of “digital breadcrumbs” mentioned in this post on the blog, Random Ramblings. This is the idea that all these links are like breadcrumbs that we should follow to see where they lead.

My beloved university recently came second in the National Student Survey, so has decided to mark this occasion by having a Student Experience Week this week. The email I got from them brought back such wonderful memories that I thought it ought to be mentioned here! I wonder what our students would say if they are asked in ten years time about their experiences at school?

I went to St Andrews because of my inspirational Latin / Greek / Classics teacher, Mrs Grant. What does it take to be an inspirational teacher?

It seems an appropriate time to direct readers to BHM, the official website for Black History Month, which also features an interview with Lewis Hamilton. I am keeping my fingers crossed for him for tomorrow morning, when he may become the first ever person to win the Formula 1’s Drivers’ Championship in their rookie year. The site also features a couple of articles on teaching and mentoring.

One of my students encouraged me to look out for Black Scientists and Inventors – I am not sure if I found they site they had been looking at, but I’m sure there will be something of interest on this page!

Finally, as part of Black History Month, the RE department will be supporting the Kick It Out campaign, which campaigns to kick racism out of football. Our resources have arrived, and we look forward to the Year 7 and Year 10 tournaments during the final week in October.