Personal tools
You are here: Home → Research → Research Modules( Sept 2010) → Conversations (Oct 2010) → Intro and Context: Needs Analysis and Autobiography
Log in


Forgot your password?
New user?
 

Intro and Context: Needs Analysis and Autobiography

The Introduction and Context Section

 (Live workshop materials are available here)

The Introduction and context section should contain

  • An introduction to the work.

This outlines what the work is about, sets the context, and how the work is structured.

  • Needs Analysis and Justification.

This justifies the work with reference to national, local, institutional and personal reasons for undertaking the work.

  • Professional Autobiography

This outlines your professional experiences, your beliefs and attitudes and how these have made your research subjective.

 


The Introduction  and Context is not the plan!!!!!!!! (although it may contain some of the information in it). Please do not simply submit your plan as an introduction.

 

 

Needs Analysis

For this task you need to:
•    Brainstorm the likely sources you will need to consult in order to complete a needs analysis (eg school plans, government policy etc)
•    Analyse school, local and national needs 

 

(As ever, the module guide will supply more detail if needed)

 

Share and discuss in the online community

 

 

Professional Autobiography

 

Write a brief paragraph here  outlining the following:

 

• Outline the details of your professional life that have informed your interest in this enquiry

• Describe any critical or significant incidents that have informed your thinking about this enquiry

• What beliefs and values are revealed by these stories? Share and discuss in the online community

 

 

 

Document Actions

Needs analysis Comments

Posted by Ian at Nov 01, 2010 01:39 PM
Please comment below here about sources of data/policy/documentation etc that justify your research project at a national, local, school, or personal level.

Needs analysis Comments

Posted by Joy Geary at Nov 09, 2010 10:15 PM
Last year I explored external agencies that the school used to supplement an alternative learning programme for the most challenging students. There was always an expectation that we could deliver some of this provision internally so this year I plan to develop this area within the school. I am focussing this enquiry on managing aggressive and abusive behaviour as this is the most disruptive and frustrating emotion displayed in the school environment.When we apply certain sanctions or interventions do they work? Is there a gender difference that needs acknowledging? I have access to school data and have responsibility for behaviour management. I am aware that teachers and support staff under stress could benefit from some of the interventions we use with students. Although the students are my focus I am bearing in mind the potential application for staff welfare and development. I have accessed and read Ofsted reports on challenging behaviour in schools(Elton report/Visser) and read the medical and psychological literature for background (American Psychological Association/British Association of Anger-management)Google scholar is full of info but I am trying to avoid Amazon (expensive) in favour of freebies from teacher.net or downloads.Colleagues have been useful as well and I hope to be able to evidence their contribution.

Professional autobiography comments

Posted by Ian at Nov 01, 2010 01:40 PM
Comment here about:
Outline the details of your professional life that have informed your interest in this enquiry
• Describe any critical or significant incidents that have informed your thinking about this enquiry
• What beliefs and values are revealed by these stories? Share and discuss in the online community

Anthony 'Skip' Basiel's cohort

Posted by Anthony Skip Basiel at Nov 02, 2010 08:28 AM
Hello everyone in my group -
Please do email me on abasiel@gmail.com with any questions.
Maybe we can do an online conference or phone conference as a group to see where we are progressing. Please email days / times we can do this.
yours - Anthony

Futurelab resources

Posted by Anthony Skip Basiel at Nov 02, 2010 11:53 AM
Have a look at
http://inspired.futurelab.org.uk/

EPPI ?

Posted by Ian at Nov 03, 2010 08:05 PM
The Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating Centre (EPPI-Centre) is part of the Social Science Research Unit at the Institute of Education, University of London.

http://eppi.ioe.ac.uk/cms/

Look at their library- more for lit review than needs analysis maybe?

Whats the timeline for completing this section?

Posted by Ian at Nov 03, 2010 08:06 PM
What is the timeline for completing Intro and Context, Needs analysis and Professional Autobiorgraphy?

Is this possible?

Help

Posted by Morag Scally at Nov 08, 2010 01:25 PM
Hi Folks

I wonder if anyone could give me some pointers on finding relevant policy documents. I am getting lost in the word of google scholar.
I need current policy documents on inclusion of SEN and specifically pedagogies of working with mainstream and SEN children together.

Hope you can help Thanks Morag

Help

Posted by Christiana Kefala at Nov 08, 2010 10:08 PM
Morag, I am not sure about your specific topic but have i look around the following links, I use them for most official documents.
http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/academies/publications/
http://publications.education.gov.uk/

Help

Posted by Morag Scally at Nov 13, 2010 10:10 AM
Thanks Christine, I'll look Morag

Help 3

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Nov 14, 2010 08:04 PM
a simple google search with a few key words like "inclusion of SEN policy"

draws up this result :
http://goo.gl/qVLFE

Help

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Nov 14, 2010 08:02 PM
Don't get to hooked into Google scholar - it's fine for some things but it does tend to take you to dead ends and areas that will only show you rationales and then ask you for an ATHENS number.

By simply contacting your SEN HoD or manager they should be able to point you in some right directions....also try various different councils.....emailing them directly possibly could be a way.....google will show you some links but it's not infallible.......

you'll need to be cute and use some good old fashioned research and writing skills to get these ones

professional autobiography

Posted by Christiana Kefala at Nov 08, 2010 10:24 PM
Hi. What i ve chosen to research is in short to compare 2 school sectors: private and public. The reason i chose to do this is because although i ve only been in the field for a very short while (2.5 years) i ve had some experience with students from both sectors.
Unfortunately, here in greece, the public sector is considered to lack in terms of teaching and educational standards, in comparison to the private sector. Having worked briefly in both sectors I got the impression that what is different between private and public schooling is not the teaching standards but rather the "wrap". Having been myself in many such debates and being a parent, i was intrigued to actively research this topic.
I ve only done some reading up until this point and I havent found anything related to the Greek reality but research seems to conclude that if socio-demographics are put aside, there is no significant difference in terms of achievements between the two sectors. My aim is to give a first answer relating to the greek reality, so that parents can take a more informed decision before choosing in what type of school they will enter their child.
Any first thoughts or relevant literature I will greatly appreciate.
Christiana

professional autobiography

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Nov 14, 2010 08:05 PM
Can you explain how you feel you are going to apply an Action Enquiry process to this please Christine?

Professional autobiography

Posted by Joy Geary at Nov 09, 2010 09:26 PM
I have found that I have discovered a lot about who I am now from reflecting on my past achievements. I remembered events I'd forgotten about that seem relevant in the context of my chosen area of enquiry. In 1998 I worked on developing programmes with inner city young people from a local pupil referral unit developing strategies for them to deal with understanding and managing their anger. I had forgotten how much I learned from that experience and although anger management courses seem last century now( well they are)conflict resolution, having emotional intelligence and developing the student voice seem to still influence policy in education. I'm now able to apply my knowledge to help staff as well as students so I am at a crossroads. I have read about intelligent management and think I can do both by using a solution-focussed process.Working as a behaviour manager with 14-19 year olds as Inclusion Team Manager I realise I am in the enviable position of working directly with students and their parents, and managing a team enables me to influence and lead policy and develop procedures within the school. I now need to feel confident I know what I'm talking about and there is a huge amount of information out there so focus is the key!

Professional autobiography

Posted by cheryl yeo at Nov 11, 2010 09:46 PM
Hello Joy,

Just want to say that you are rather inspiring ... to continue what you are doing and sharing your learning. I just started learning and working on understanding children (early years) with SEBD. I am a Montessori Teacher, a lot of what we do are already in lined with the theories however it is good to get more research, other inputs. Thanks for sharing! Cheryl :)

Professional autobiography

Posted by Joy Geary at Nov 12, 2010 11:33 AM
Hi Cheryl. Thank you for your feedback. I am just getting used to the on-line community. I didn't make much use of it last year and felt quite isolated. I have a lot to learn and am finding the process very rewarding....and challenging.

Policies & Documents

Posted by Deborah Woolley at Nov 09, 2010 10:15 PM
I am going to carry out an investigation into learning strategies for adult dyslexic students. The research is important to me as a SpLD Assessor and Tutor to ensure students achieve their full potential. A student knowing how they learn best (what strategies work best for them) not only increases their learning capabilities but also increases confidence and self esteem. The data, policies and documentation that will be appropriate to my research includes: Every Child Matters: Removing Barriers, The Disability Discrimination Act (1995), Singleton (1999),The Special Education Needs and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA) and the college’s ‘Learning Support Policy and Procedures’ along with the department SAR. Other data will be collated from the BDA, Tomlinson – Inclusive Learning, the Rose Review. There is a wealth of information available and having written my Autobiography section this has only confirmed my reasons for carrying out this research

Policies & Documents

Posted by peta griffiths at Nov 12, 2010 10:56 AM
I am also presesently concentraing upon dyslexia however my focus will be Year 7 stduents I am going on training at the BDA shortly re strategies for teachers which may be useful. I am presently trying to find my way round the Rose Report. I also recently attended some good training at the SEN exhibition in London

Are you familiar with the dyslexia friendly quality mark wich is being run by the BDA?

What assessments do you use at you institution? How do you plan your interventions?

Peta
 

Policies & Documents

Posted by Deborah Woolley at Nov 14, 2010 12:48 PM
Hi Peta

yes currently our SpLD department is currently working towards the BDA dyslexia quality mark, however there is a lot of work involved.

Regarding assessments we a variety, for example we carry out initial screening which may involve a computerised screener or group screening (reading, writing, spelling) etc. Then if appropriate we assess individual students for dyslexia by looking at their attainment and cognitve ability. We use recommended tests as set out by the SpLD Test Evaluation Committee (STEC) (DfES Guidelines) 2009/2010. It is from the results we write up a variety of reports e.g. access arrangments, a HE student - DSA, tutor reports outlining any interventions that need to be put in place, this could be anything from computer packages - dragon, Learning Mentors, coloured overlays to asking the tutor to take into account the individual students needs for example, comprehension difficulties etc.....

Hope the BDA training course is useful,

thanks

Deborah

Policies & Documents

Posted by Lisa Gibbons at Nov 18, 2010 07:34 PM
My research is also going to be in the field of SpLD. I am looking into the processes and procedures used at the FE college that I work in, to identify and support learners with SpLD. I feel quite overwhelmed with the amount of literature available. It seems to be a matter of finding what is relevant. There is no set guidance or national policy for the identification of SpLD in adults or learners 16+ and so it is a case of looking at the references that Deborah has mentioned i.e. The Rose Review, which relates to children as well as The Equality Act 2010 and then the policy and procedures that we follow in college for example the Disability Disclosure and Confidentiality Policy. There is a lot of literature with tentative links and so I need to work out which ones are most important.

Professional Autobiography

Posted by Servani Pillay at Nov 13, 2010 11:21 AM
Over the last three years I have taught classes in a school in North London where children’s moral development has become more of a concern. The way in which that they interact with each other, their sense of what is right and wrong and their general behaviour has been concerning. I have one child in particular that has now got 1-2-1 support session from Travistock (Counselling Service) due to concerns over their behaviour. This research should help teachers to address areas of moral development with a greater understanding and may provide an idea of which theories may still be applicable today. This is why I have chosen to focus on whether the theories of moral development are still applicable today and how this affects moral development.

The Main Question:
• Whether past research still applies to children today.
• A personal interest in the when and how children obtain their moral understanding.
Main Aims:
• To use small scale research to investigate ages/stages of moral development of children.
• To find out whether findings coincide with previous research on the subject.
Objectives:
• To carry out a literature search relating to theories of moral development.
• To use field work to gather data on children’s moral development.
• To collate and analyse data and relate findings to literature review.
• To interview teachers on their views on children’s moral development and how they incorporate it in their teaching (i.e. Personal, Social and Emotional Development).

Any research you have come across would be great.

Professional Autobiography

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Nov 14, 2010 08:22 PM
Wow......really thought provoking and interesting series of bullets and good intro there Servani - Thank you) looks like a very interesting topic - I can see a good Action enquiry growing from this one and this will of course concure perfectly with your needs for the module.


Could be that you undertake a very instrumental AE that the school and the council will want to use and refer to

Needs analysis

Posted by ilnegri at Nov 14, 2010 03:34 PM
I am going to use this opportunity to revisit the SEF (while it still exisits), my Inlcusion Action Plan, my performance managment targets and the document given to staff on the first inset day in Setember where he outlines his vision for the schoolin the forthcoming academic year.

I also want ot revisit 'my way forward' document from last year's research project and show how this year's dissertation links in.

Loretta Negri

Professional Autobiography

Posted by Morag Scally at Nov 15, 2010 06:48 PM
Hi Everyone.

I've just drafted my Prof Auto, but it's a bit long 1000words, so I think I'll need to condense it a bit. It's a very helpful section to write. I realise how far I have come in the last few years and how being on this course itself has led me take decisions which have enriched my experiences of inclusion. I now work with a far broader range of abilities / disabilities and make even more connections between groups that were previously separate. There is overspill from my professional into my family and social life. More of the activities I develop professionally are also shared by my children, their friends, their friends parents and across colleagues to their own network.


I am really excited about my new inclusive rock band project and having made a start on the outline of the work itself, I feel much more positive. I have also ordered some books from Amazon, as I was getting lost in the google world, and finding I was spending too much tome in front of a screen.

Hope you are all getting on ok

Morag

Professional Autobiography

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Dec 10, 2010 01:41 PM
the prf autobiography section is designed to be fairly flexible in size - we suggest about 1000 words for this area but it's not set in concrete so dont worry if you are slightly over the word count here - its better to be slightly heavy on words at this stge (+/- 10%) as you can then return to it and add. alter and change later as you progress

Anthony 'Skip' Basiel's cohort

Posted by Anthony Skip Basiel at Nov 24, 2010 10:01 AM
I'm happy to see so much activity in this discussion for our next task.
I encourage my cohort of students (and everyone) to contribute draft work for peer review. Then, send me your revised drafts for feedback by email.

The professional biography may bring up some issues related to your projects and proposals that you may not have planned for at the start. Be reflective in your analysis to note these issues - but stick to your Gantt chart work plan.

Keep that work coming in.
yours
Dr. Anthony 'Skip' Basiel

needs section

Posted by Jacqueline Schembri at Nov 28, 2010 06:43 PM
Hi everyone

I am having difficulty in writing the needs section especially as I did not find local information. In my country we do not have reports like Ofsted. Is it possible to use Ofsted or other international reports the same ? I am researching about writing skills in children with learning difficulties. I would be grateful if anyone could mention any sources to use for the needs analysis.

By the way when should we submit the draft for the intro and context section ?

needs section

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Dec 10, 2010 01:31 PM
I think in this case J you need to talk to your supervisor re. not finding local information - there must be a parrallel that you can tap into and utilise?? No ?
Can you be specific here J (as I am not your supervisor and really need to know a little more about what your plan and topic is) before I can truly add any assistance in the needs section. but.........whatever your topic is....clearly investigating something...there needs to be needs and published lit about what has already been done, looked at, researched and reported back....this is what you can begin by telling the reader in the 'needs' section.

also......in your country there must be some type of official reporting (not Ofsted) that feedsback to schools and gov bodies about where the ed system / schools / learning & teaching is in need of research and further dev? there simply must be

needs section

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Dec 10, 2010 01:38 PM
CannI also add here that it's imperative that students create a folder and have this set to 'published' in the "State" options. Once the folder is published then it can be shared with other in the group for peer and group reading, discussion etc. We encourage student to post in their draft units and then post a link back to the folder where comments can be left by other users in the system as well as tutors.

please make sure that you are familiar with creating or uploading a file into your home folder

Dr. Anthony Basiel - Cohort

Posted by Anthony Skip Basiel at Dec 01, 2010 04:19 PM
Hello Midwheb students -

I hope all is well.

Please do email me to update me on your progress. A reminder that the university is closed on 17 Dec - 4 Jan.
If you can send draft work before that time it is better for detailed feedback.

Hope to see you at the Wed. seminar or online at http://breeze.mdx.ac.uk/midwheb/

yours,
Anthony

Needs Analysis & Autobiography

Posted by saira carrim at Dec 02, 2010 05:13 PM
Outline the details of your professional life that have informed your interest in this enquiry

I have been teaching in secondary schools for 2 years now, I am currently in my 3rd year. I am now teaching at a single sex school, whereas before I was teaching in a mixed school.
My project is based on why children spend so much time online - this includes both social networking sites & playing computers games. Since the school I am teaching at is an all boy’s schools I have a good platform to begin my investigation.

The main reason I have chosen to cover this area is because I have noticed many similarities with the boys I teach. For example, they are so focused on playing games and staying up late it is affecting their school work.

I feel that it is extremely important to educate young people and ensure they understand the dangers of spending too much time online.

I know it is a large topic to cover and I must narrow it down, as in my last project I felt that my project covered too many areas.

Needs Analysis & Autobiography

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Dec 02, 2010 06:12 PM
Hi,
yes you're right Saira.....what you've described is a HUGE HUGE subject area.....way too large to even consider for your project. Taking your own personal circumstances into account, and your need to get a plan in and agreed very soon (draft plans came in 4 weeks ago) and have all but been agreed so you have a lot of catching up to do......and to look at an area like this might be too ambitious. Even if you can narrow it down....it's all about what you can personally achieve in the alotted time span.

so......consider this more carefully.....and do some internet searching for assistance and some literature that can begin your thinking process - doesnt need to be the lit needed (yet) for your lit review......although it can be later....but it will need to 'inform' your choices and choice of topic.

Lots to think about and begin with already

H

Needs Analysis & Autobiography

Posted by Sue Burgess at Dec 02, 2010 07:15 PM
Hi Saira
It is a large topic area and I fear you are in danger of covering too much as you say you did before. Heed Hamish's advice and do some more reading. Why not think about using your background in ICT and the boys enjoyment of playing online games to investigate how the two might combine to improve their attention/achievement in school? Just an idea but you see what we're both saying - narrow the focus to make it manageable.
Sue

Needs Analysis & Autobiography

Posted by saira carrim at Dec 02, 2010 11:37 PM
Thank you for your comments.
I like the idea of combining ICT and online games to help raise achievement. I will need to redraft my original proposal and resend.
Saira

Needs Analysis & Autobiography

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Dec 10, 2010 01:23 PM
Saira.....the topic of games and ICT and learning is one that really has a lot of potential and recently had a lot of press (both good and bad) but what it will do is give you a chance to take an action enquiry project into the classroom (if you want?) not w anting to take a sexist POV on this but it could be that you're project would be met with a very appreciative audience (the boys maybe ?)
 so....where now? ok.....a start could be to look at searching for some recent published papers that have taken the games / learning / performing areas and made headlines.
Only the other day I saw an article on the BBC panaorama prog about this and should you opt to go here and down this route....then you'll have plenty to develop and work on

Needs Analysis & Autobiography

Posted by saira carrim at Dec 30, 2010 02:14 AM
Thanks for the information. I will let you know how I get on.

The Needs analysis :

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Dec 10, 2010 03:43 PM
Why is your enquiry important and How can it be justified?

This is a key factor that needs to be covered and underlined clearly for all students, researchers and those in any research capacity.

What documentation can you reference to *justify* your research focus in terms of :

    * National Needs (eg Policies, Strategies,Agendas,Reports, research)
    * Institutional Needs (e.g Priorities, Plans, Assessment Data,)
    * Individual Needs (e.g. Role, Priorities, Targets, )

(As ever, the module guide will supply more detail if needed)

Bulletin Board Page

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Dec 13, 2010 01:05 PM
I have created a 'Bulletin Board' page in the area here accesible by the link here
http://midwhebonline.org.uk/[…]/bulletin-board#1292241700
or by clicking the BB link on the front page of the area (conversations)

This is a 2 way conversation/message board area where we all can raise quick questions and outline dates, etc. this may be the first area that you visit each time you log on just to check if there are any messages for you from us

Literature reviews

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Jan 04, 2011 03:05 PM
I know this is a little premature at this time but please take some time to visit this Multimedia presentation where carole Davies explores the literature review process and develops a strategy where you can maximise your own literature review. You will need Adobe Acrobat plug-in.

http://breeze.mdx.ac.uk/midwhebseminarcaroldavies/

Literature reviews

Posted by W Smith at Jan 16, 2011 10:54 PM
Thank you for posting this Hamish - very useful.

Needs anaylsis

Posted by saira carrim at Jan 09, 2011 07:44 PM
Happy New Year!

I have just completed the needs and analysis section, as the two previous topics I choose would have been difficult to cover, due to the volume of information. This was evident in my previous project as at times I lost track of the main purpose.
The new topic I have chosen is E-safety; I think this will be more interesting to me, than the other topics.
My work is available in my folder, please let me know what you think.

Thanks
Saira

Needs anaylsis

Posted by Servani Pillay at Jan 13, 2011 06:42 PM
Hi All,

I'm in the process of doing the needs analysis and have just submitted a questionairre that I would like to use for the children, Teachers and Parents on my topic of moral development.Waiting to hear back before completeing the final section of the needs analysis. Just wanted to find out if i should include a copy of this in my folder or not.
Many thanks
Servani

Dissertation introduction & planning

Posted by Fortunato Licata at Feb 06, 2011 05:02 PM
Things seem to have gone quiet on the discussion & communication front unless I'm misuing the sites but I've uploaded section 1 and 2 onto the shared area for review. Literature review is well under way.

Fortunato Licata

Dissertation introduction & planning

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Feb 17, 2011 08:09 PM
Have you informed your supervisor that the work is uploaded?

Without notification they won't have known that your work is ready for checking, or looking over

AN IMPORTANT POINT

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Feb 17, 2011 08:13 PM
It has just occurred to me that there may be some students who have uploaded work but not informed their supervisor that the work is in the personal space for checking.

The system does not automatically send out a 'flag' when work is uploaded and we need to have an email with either the work attached or a link to where the work resides please.

Also I see that there are still some students using hotmail accounts - these accounts have as I have said before, not been reliable in reaching either middx or other external email accounts.

However....if you have emailed your supervisor and there has been a prolonged silence or no reply....please check that you were NOT sending from a hotmail account.....if so....then the mail may not have been received

AN IMPORTANT POINT

Posted by Morag Scally at Feb 17, 2011 08:32 PM
Hi Hamish, I've just seen this note about hotmail accounts, this is my main email address and can't really be changed, I'll send one from another I have access to. I have had no feedback from Sarah RW about my chapters xxMorag

AN IMPORTANT POINT

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Feb 17, 2011 08:43 PM
Sorry to hear you are a hotmailer Morag :-(

Hotmail just does not deliver the goods - we cannot be held responsible for mail not arriving if you use Hotmail and we did state at the start that you will need to use a different account if you want reliable emails to both arrive and be received.

My daughter refused to move from hotmail for years with the same excuse (sorry) and her mother and I were never getting any mail to her - I told her to change...she didnt bother...eventually I had to use a financial incentive and sent a valuable gift (voucher) to her by email - of course she never received it......I later asked her if she received the 'gift' (was an iPhone voucher thing) and she was desperate for this thing....

she lost out....she got no iPhone.....she went mad.....she changed her email the next day

her gmail account collects her hotmail messages and brings them in to one central inbox and her old hotmail account still stays 'live'

Hope this helps?

hotmail

Posted by Sue Burgess at Feb 18, 2011 10:29 AM
Hi Morag
Why not set up a gmail account just for your Middx work? I tell you it's something I wish I had done. It's very straightforward to set up - enter gmail into your search engine or use this link https://www.google.com/acco[…]pl=default&ltmplcache=2 and go to 'create an account'.
Sue

Gmail is best! [:-)

Posted by Anthony Skip Basiel at Feb 18, 2011 04:02 PM
I have to agree. I use Gmail and have not looked back.
There are all kinds of good features. We can have a group Skype to explore the options if you like.
cheers
Skip
« May 2013 »
May
MoTuWeThFrSaSu
12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031