Ethics: procedures and considerations!!

In our BAPP course we have looked at ethics from two stand points – firstly  ethical proceduresthat are about ‘right & wrong’ from the perspective of agreed social moral expectations of how we should behave. Ethical procedures link to the kinds of questions ethics boards ask (for instance the MORE on-line form at Middlesex). The right-ness or wrong-ness of the procedures are dependent to some extend on historical, cultural and social contexts. Even when adhering to them it is important to notice what assumptions about ‘good’, or ‘bad’ the ethical procedure is making. It is clear that these change over time, for instance something we accepted even 50 years ago are now considered unacceptable. 

In this video, Michael D. Burroughs raises the question of teaching ethical thinking (the obligation to ask yourself questions and reflect on your assumptions) to young people. There is a sense we do not engage children with ethics because adults ‘know right from wrong’ and children don’t! But it could be argued children are much more willing to adhere to the rules of fair-ness, turn-taking, and listening that society perceives to be appropriate ways to behave. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8juebyo_Z4&feature=youtu.be

As we explore what ethics can be, where it should be we move into what on this course we have called ethical consideration(consideration = reflections, thoughts ideas).

The way you approach ideas includes ethical considerations.

The conclusion you draw from considering ideas ethically starts to form your theoretical framework. The framework into which you organise the relationship between truth, meaning, body, etc…

In this way, ethical considerations help you noticethe ‘frameworks’ you are working in. 

This video might help you start to notice where you stand – where your ethical frameworks are. Watch the video and ask yourself some of the questions!!! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOoffXFpAlU

What are your thoughts on morality? Are you a Moral realist? A Moral Absolutist? The point is not to have answers!! But to be aware. Throughout the course as you reflect on subject or plan activity ask yourself what you are assuming about the actions you take. What do your actions assume about others? What assumptions are you making about right and wrong? Have you ever questioned something you already believed was true and had no reason to question? How do you see another perspective? If some of the ideas in the videos are interesting please research further. Comment below to link to posts you have written on the subject.
Comment below please... 

Campus session

This Wednesday March 20th, we have a Hendon Campus Session from 10am to 1pm.
Comment below to indicate if you will attend. 
Room W157

Tuesday Analysis!!

On Tuesday we had Skypes about the central place of analysis across the whole course with a focus on Module Three. I described a way into thinking about analysis as thinking about it as 'meaning making'.

In Module One ACI3611, you are starting to analyze what your practice is so you can describe and reflect on it in the work you are handing in at the end of the term.

In Module Two ACI3622,  you are starting to check the design of inquiry you are making supports the analysis you are planning for what you find. In other words, you are not planning  for collecting data for the sake of collecting things you are gathering things that will help your analysis and discover ideas around the topic you are interested in.

In Module Three ACI3633 you would be finishing gathering field data and starting to look at what it means, whats behind some of the things you experience? If you have come across new ideas you had not considered go back to the Literature/Art and see what people have said about this. It is  a messy period when there are lots of ideas as you piece together new perspectives - new knowledge (to you).

Please comment below and add blog post addresses too. When you add a blog post address please say what it is about so we can discuss both on this blog post and also refer to yours.

Adesola .....

Thoughts on people and interviews

When you interview people in ACI3633 (Module Three) or plan to in ACI3622 (Module Two) how have you composed who they are? Are they informants, participants, respondents? All these words have slightly different meanings that reflect how you see who they are, how you value them. 

Sometimes people suggest they will give participants in interviews the names ‘Interviewee 1’, ‘Interviewee 2.This is to give them anonymity. But this kind of anonymity makes them less like humans and more like test tubes. 

If you give them pseudonym, what names will you choose? Will the name reflect a gender, a cultural background? how does it matter to you? If someone is called Lisa Bennet in 'real' life what effect does calling that person Rashmi Patel have on how the reader views the interviewee? How does what are you doing about the their gender they are presenting. Does their name need to reflect that? Is it your job to police how the reader perceives the interviewee? What of the interviewee's identity is it important to imply and what does not matter? these are all choices about what you see as significant to the inquiry. These are ethical considerations. There is not a correct way for everyone to follow but there is an incorrect way to do this and that is to make choices you have not thought about. To just do something because you thought that was what you were told to do. What you do has to make sense to you. You have to participate….

Other blogs on participants can be read here:  

                  

https://adesolaa.blogspot.com/2012/11/what-sam-and-billy-say.html

https://adesolaa.blogspot.com/2015/06/module-two-only-well-everyone-should.html

More food for thought on this:

https://www.ted.com/talks/dave_isay_everyone_around_you_has_a_story_the_world_needs_to_hear

What do you feel? Comment below.... 

Skype session: The central place of analysis & synthesis

This Tuesday March 12th, we have Skype sessions with a Module Three [ACI3633] focus. Anybody from any Module is welcome but we will be talking about ideas and learning highlighted in Module Three activity.

We will be discussing: The central place of analysis & synthesis of information through reflection.

These will be at:

12:30pm (time in London)  

or

5pm (time in London)

Comment below to indicate which one you will attend and share relevant thinking/doing you have been mulling, reflecting on.

Skype session: Synthesis of information through reflection.

This Monday March 11th, we have Skype sessions with a Module One [ACI 3611] focus. Anybody from any Module is welcome but we will be talking about ideas and learning highlighted in Module One activity.

We will be discussing: synthesis of information through reflection. 

These will be at:

12:30pm (time in London)

or

5pm (time in London)

Comment below to indicate which one you will attend and share relevant thinking/doing you have been mulling, reflecting on.

Collaboration, Community and Networks

Part of the principles of BAPP are networks and collaboration. (These are ideas that carry across the whole course.) 

In this course part of the idea of networks involves collaboration. But this is also a larger shift in thinking in terms of how we construct what interaction in society should look like or how we construct our Western history. 

Darwin offered a world of survival of the fittestwhich mirrored the Regency and Victorian period of empire building of his lifetime. What if we let go of the *metaphor of fighting that we use in so many descriptions of ideas and replaced it with collaboration.

Below Howard Rheingold explores how we can readjust to see history (and present day) from a metaphor of 'working together'rather than 'survival of the fittest'. I think this is really important because art is often involved in activism that brings people together through making together. 

https://www.ted.com/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

Working in a show or part of a cast also rely on cooperation, so as artists we are very familiar with the idea in our professional work but how can we learn from those professional situations of collaboration? How is collaboration a part of your practice?  What ethical considerations does the principle of collaboration raise in a creative process?

To push this idea further: The idea of cooperation is explored in many artists’ processes. Art activism often uses the idea of making something together as a way to value and highlight community. I feel collaboration has a part in the map of an artists practice. Where is collaboration in your practice, in your inquiry, in your field of work?

Does your experience in the network of the BAPP learning community mirror experiences in your professional practice? Are you bringing assumptions about working togetherfrom BAPP to your Practice or the other way around? 

Here is a video talk about collaboration and the work of a poet who uses collaboration as part of process. If you asked yourself how to collaborate each time you started a creative process or entered a teaching situation, what interesting ethical considerations does it raise - different for each situation I would think. In this way collaboration could be seen as a principle for learning not just an organising tool. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmQVNE-MbKI

What do you feel? Comment below...

*An interesting book to look at on metaphor is LAKOFF, G. & JOHNSON, M. 1980. Metaphors we live by, Chicago, University of Chicago Press.

Skype session: What if you can't interview anyone? - The central place of analysis

This Thursday March 7th we have Skype sessions with a Module Two [ACI3622] focus. Anybody from any Module is welcome but we will be talking about ideas and learning highlighted in Module Two activity.

We will be discussing What if you can't interview anyone? - The central place of analysis.

These will be at:

12:30pm (time in London)

or

5pm (time in London)

Comment below to indicate which one you will attend and share relevant thinking/doing you have been mulling, reflecting on.

Campus Session: To know and not to know (yet)

We had a campus session on Friday. See comments below for links to posts by those who attended.
One point I thought was important to think about:

In the study of this course (BAPP) there are elements of the content and process which you will not 'know' straight away. Obviously you don't know them yet, the point of the course is to leave knowing more. They get revealed as you study and research and reflect. But as a Student at a University there are things you should to know. Sometimes people get these mixed up see below:

Things you need to know for sure:

• Your student number
• How to access your University email
• How much your fees are
• When the hand-in date for work is
• Where you hand things in (Turnit-in) 
• What a Skype call is
• Who your advisor is 

Things that will emerge through study:

• What you will write in the reflective essay you submit
• What your artifact or diagram will look like when you finish it
• What the literature on a subject says
• What you think about an idea you have not heard of before
• How to describe your practice.

Sometimes people reverse these: they feel concerned they don't know what they will write about in their final essay from week one (when they have 12 weeks of research and reflection between then and handing it in) but are ok they that are not sure how to get to their University email!

The workings of the university - you should feel clear about and if you don't ask for direct help on getting it clear.

The action of learning about new ideas and new things can be foggy and this is ok at points as you work.

What are your thoughts....

Campus Session on Friday (today) is C216A

Campus session is 1pm to 4pm 

Twilight Tuesday Discussion Group

This Tuesday, February 26th, we have Twilight Tuesday Discussion Skype sessions. Every Module is welcome. This is a great time to share ideas and talk to other members of the learning community.

These will be at:

7am (time in London)

or

9pm (time in London)

Comment below to indicate which one you will attend and share relevant thinking/doing you have been mulling, reflecting on.

Being a part of Networks of Understanding and learning: blogging and discussion

In this post I am thinking/feeling about the network of learning that is the BAPP learning community and how you find yourSelf in the network. It mirrors other networks - if you see 'networks' as a method of understanding the world.  In the new Module One handbooks (ACI3611) we discuss the networked professional and suggest looking at some videos. Below is one we suggest watching. (I thought it would be good to see for the Module Threes who did not have the new Module One handbooks in Module One.) I feel the video highlights how the blogs are a tool that help build the structure of our BAPP Learning Network / Networked understanding. This is a network you are part of.

On this course, we draw heavily from the theoretical concept of Connectivism developed differently by Steven Downes and George Siemens. Below Steven Downes talks about networks in terms that help explain why blogs and discussion groups are a part of the network of learning in BAPP ACI

In October I posted a short video of George Siemens talking about Connectivism in a way that explains why blogs are so useful in BAPP - do go back on my blog and have a look. You can use the tags or dates at the side of my blog to find the post. 

Here is a video of Steven Downes talking about networks. The blogs are a part of the network of learning we are creating together. He talks about how there is  a sense of not being told what to do but that we are all contributing. This is an important principle in BAPP ACI. you can't be made to participate - it's your BA but together we can create the place where learning can happen and that is part of the work you have to do for yourself in your professional work and in your study - you have to believe (in yourself, in each other, in the idea of learning, in the idea of your art practice, in whatever it is that finds you here), believe enough to just get on with it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obokyuibtec&t=0s&list=PL521ADEA73AB9F2F3&index=94

Please comment on what you are thinking/feeling of this post below. It would be interesting to discuss some of the video content in our Twilight Tuesday Skype Discussion Group on February 26th or at the campus session tomorrow*. 
(*The sign-up for Friday and Tuesday are on a 'Session Reminder Post'-NOT this post) 

Visit someones blog today and exchange an idea or conversation - visit someone's blog in the BAPP community you have not visited much before - explore.
Adesola

Campus session

This Friday February 22nd, we have a Hendon Campus Session from 1pm to 4pm.
Comment below to indicate if you will attend. 

Tuesday Skypes - Research terms

Just like any technique there are words for the things we do. When we learn a technique like playing music or tap dancing there is a vocabulary of words we learn. In research there is too. Learning these words help us understand a dimension of the subject. In todays skype we talked about the words
artefact, triangulation, ethnography, paradigm, discourse, reflexive.

I said that I would post a video where the word 'paradigm' is used, as way to continue to look at what to means.

Making notes on your glossary at the back of the handbooks is really useful (and important).
People in the conversation are also writing blog posts on the conversation. 

Skype session: Research terms - what are you doing?

This Tuesday February 12th we have Skype sessions with a Module Three [ACI 3633] focus. Anybody from any Module is welcome but we will be talking about ideas and learning highlighted in Module Three activity.

We will be discussing: research terms- what are you doing?

These will be at:

12:30pm (time in London)

or

5pm (time in London)

Comment below to indicate which one you will attend and share relevant thinking/doing you have been mulling, reflecting on.

Mapping to build understanding - Holidays and Maps

In skype discussions to day we talked about 'Research as mapping to build understanding'

We talked about three different kinds of research goals

Mapping (shorter period of time) the aim is to better understand something.

Critique (medium period of time) provide a critique of a phenomenon or field after you better understand it.

Social change (longer period of time) provide clear suggestions or praxis for change after you have better understood it and critiqued elements of it.

In the 12 weeks of Module Three and at BA level you are looking to map - to better understand something by knowing the elements and routes through and within it.

(Qualitative Research for Physical Culture) by Pirkko Marcela & Michael Silk.


In Module Three you are mapping to better understand the field of your inquiry.

In Module Two you have another layer of mapping - mapping how to inquire in to the field (looking at research methods for your field of interest.

In Module One you are mapping your practice (by doing your diagram and essay)


Module Two mapping research methods:
The inquiry in Module Three is like a journey into your inquiry topic. Like going on holiday to some where you need to plan the journey. Module Two is the planning the journey.

Here are some things to think about:
If you plan too specifically we are going to 12 West Manor street, Paris, France. That is all you will find. Just like if your inquiry is so specific will only notice and find what you set out to look for. Instead set out to go to Paris (aware 12 west Manor Street might be a place you visit while there).

Then how are you getting there?
Driving main roads,
By train
Bicycle holiday
Are you in a hotel or tent.
You have to look into these things and think about what would work best for the type of holiday you are planning.

Just like how are you getting there in your inquiry
Interview
Observations
Participants
workshops
libraries
You have to look into these and think about what would work best for the analysis you are planning.

Please read other peoples blog post on this and comment.

Skype session: Seeing your practice, seeing yourself

This Monday February 11th we have Skype sessions with a Module One [ACI3611] focus. Anybody from any Module is welcome but we will be talking about ideas and learning highlighted in Module One activity.

We will be discussing: seeing your practice, seeing yourself

These will be at:

12:30pm (time in London)

or

5pm (time in London)

Comment below to indicate which one you will attend and share relevant thinking/doing you have been mulling, reflecting on.

Skype Session: Research as mapping to build understanding

This Thursday February 7th we have Skype sessions with a Module Two [ACI3622] focus. Anybody from any Module is welcome but we will be talking about ideas and learning highlighted in Module One activity.

We will be discussing: Research as mapping to build understanding

These will be at:

12:30 (time on London)
or 
5pm (time in London)

Comment below to indicate which one you will attend and share relevant thinking/doing you have been mulling, reflecting on.

Tuesday 'coffee house' discussion session

This Tuesday February 5th, we have  Tuesday Discussion Skype sessions. Every Module is welcome. This is a great time to share ideas and talk to other members of the learning community.

These will be at:

12:30pm (time in London)

or

9pm (time in London)

Comment below to indicate which one you will attend and share relevant thinking/doing you have been mulling, reflecting on.

Student Voice - Leadership

Our course has two post of Student Voice for students on BAPP. This means working with the Student Union to feedback to us and the University about the course - so we can co-create the learning space we all share. This is a great opportunity to get some training on leadership from the Student Union and also be involved in leadership type activities for your CV.

We need two people who are currently on the course to take up this post. The deadline is by January 30th so please comment below - Comment in general but especially if you want to come forward as one of the Student Voice Leaders.

Adesola

Marking and preparing and welcome Skypes in January

We are busy marking and preparing for the start of term on January 28th.
We have welcome skypes on
Friday January 18th at 6pm
or
Saturday January 19th at 3pm
Comment below to indicate which you will attend.

If you want to keep busy before then (!) have a read of a Module Handbook (on UniHub) - read one you have done before for a refresher or read one you will be doing. Write a blog post - share what you have been doing, reflecting , on making...

Make sure Adesola has a Skype contact for you prior to the Skype date. If not send her a Skype request. See MDX communications or UniHub for her Skype address. 

ACI3633 Module Three Presentations.

Module Threes are sharing their inquires on January 3rd and 4th. If you are London come along to support them and hear what they have been doing. Or skype in.

Start the new year off sharing inquiry and art practices with the BAPP community 

Happy New year

We are on Winter Break and also grading right now. Term starts January 28th. We have a welcome week January 21st when you can get to know your advisor and make sure you have all you need to get started including starting your blog, finishing your study plan and setting up your Skype address.

We have welcome Skypes on January 18th and 19th. Look out for the post where you sign-up for these on this blog.

Looking forward to working together this year.
Adesola

Skype session: The ways ideas can be communicated.

This Tuesday December 4th, we have Skype sessions with a Module Three [ACI3633] focus. Anybody from any Module is welcome but we will be talking about ideas and learning highlighted in Module Three activity.

We will be discussing: The ways ideas can be communicated.

These will be at:

12:30pm (time in London)

or

5pm (time in London)

Comment below to indicate which one you will attend and share relevant thinking/doing you have been mulling, reflecting on.