I was going to make the next blog post much like the previous two – a sort of mini essay on some aspect of my current reading. But since I’m only part of the way through the book Thought and Language by Lev Sevenovich Vygotsky (or Vygotskiï) it wouldn’t make sense to write something until I have finished the book or I’m a good way through it. But I am finding this book, and some extension articles I’ve found, very interesting…
The real reason I’m writing to day is to just say that my academic journey is about to start again. I have received a place at Monash Universtiy to commence a PhD in Music Education where I will be looking at the ways school-aged students learn while participating in community bands and school ensembles, and how one style of learning can benefit the other – or something to this effect.
This topic is of interest to me as it was sparked by some aspects I touched on in my last Masters project where I wrote up the development of a community training band. Since I finished this paper I have been building resources in the hope that I would be able to continue further research in this area. I’m also hoping through my research that there might be a way where community music can be used as some kind of extension activity for school music students.
I’m under no illusion about the amount of work that has to be done. But my reasoning is that while my brain is active and wanting activity, and while I have the time then why not? I am fairly sure that I will enjoy the research side of things and working to bring various parts of research together. So I’ve decided to undertake this “journey” to achieve another life goal which I hope will end up making a difference.
six months in
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009It’s now December, six months in from when I started the PhD in July, and (most probably) another five years until I finish. It has been an interesting academic road so far. For myself I have been buoyed by my supervisor’s comments regarding the work that I have done, but, I am not resting on these comments. My writing is still far from academically perfect however it is getting better. The referencing can be tightened up…
Resource collection and collating is ongoing as I work through separate topics and need extension on what I have already collected. All this will contribute to the Literature Review which will serve as the basis for introducing the new area of research that I will be covering – this will be done in about six months time. I’m thinking of the areas that I need to explore next. Obviously motivation of students is a major area of focus as is the inclusive “community” basis of participation in brass and concert bands. Topics have expanded to include psychology areas and other factors determining the learning of music.
In terms of research focus I have made the decision to bring my website (which surrounds “the blog”) into more of an overall research area so that all pages are focused on my research question. I realize this will be a big job to do over the holidays but since the basic structure of the website is easy to manage it shouldn’t be to hard to do.
Aside from this I can safely say that I am enjoying the research process, the first six months hasn’t daunted me that much, and I feel I am on the right track with this PhD.
There will be more to follow…
Tags: general comments, learning, research
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