Professional inquiry: advocating the emerging practitioner perspective Alan Durrant and Paula Nottingham, Middlesex University Institute for Work Based Learning
A 3 part assessment comprising; a Critical Review (6000 words), a Professional Artefact (equivalent to 3000 words) and an Oral Presentation, replaces the traditional 12000 word dissertation on Alan and Paula’s innovative programme for media and performing arts professionals. They have responded to the needs of their students and created a programme that sits within the work based learning framework but takes a learner centred approach to professional inquiry – with an assessment that reflects this and is slightly different to the professional practice project.
In this stimulating session, Paula and Alan explained their approach to professional inquiry. Their student body - generally young practitioners in the performing arts or graphics design – are not based in one organisation but freelancers who are part of a wider professional community. The programme is designed to provide them with the academic tools to accompany them on their professional journey and help them deal with questions such as “How do I as an emerging professional, operate in this environment”. When Alan and Paula thought about whether a traditional dissertation would serve these students, they realised that it would not – something more relevant was required, challenging students to think about themselves in their practice and so they developed an inquiry model with some features of a dissertation.
The goal of the programme, is to bring about transformative learning. Using reflective practice and inquiry, considering transdisciplinarity (in this presentation, understood as skills and ways of working that are not disciplinary) and drawing on contemporary approaches, such as capabilities learning, it is attribute rather than knowledge based.
As questions flowed, particularly around the approach to assessment, they shared with us examples of students work. The photo shows some of The Professional Artefacts submissions, which can take all sorts of forms.
The session will be available to watch on video shortly and the slides can be viewed below.
Report by Louise Merlin
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