NICK SORENSEN SENIOR LECTURER: EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT BATH SPA UNIVERSITY WOODROFFE SCHOOL, LYME REGIS 19 TH SEPTEMBER 2012 Introduction to the Professional Masters Programme

What does intelligence look like?

A changing view of intelligence knowing what to do when you don’t know what to do’ Piaget ‘the sum total of your habits of mind’ Lauren B. Resnick

Intelligence: a definition A very general mental capability that, among other things, involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly and learn from experience. It is not merely book learning, a narrow academic skill, or test-taking smarts. Rather, it reflects a broader and deeper capability for comprehending our surroundings—"catching on," "making sense" of things, or "figuring out" what to do from "Mainstream Science on Intelligence" (1994), an editorial statement by fifty-two researchers.Mainstream Science on Intelligence

Buckets and balloons: (Carol Dweck) Fixed ability Proving Conservative learning Failure is bad Fragile / depressive Shirk / blame / cheat Comparative / competitive Inaccurate self image Expandable ability Improving Adventurous learning Failure is useful Resilient / determined Try / commit to be open Collaborative / generous Accurate self image

What Master’s level study is about Critical Reflection Theory / research Professional Practice

The Action Research Cycle Find a focus. What puzzles you? What is happening already? Planning your action – and the data you will collect Take action – collect data Analyse data. What have you found out?

Select an aspect of BLP that you are introducing in your classroom / school. Is it linked to school aims or SIP? Identify a key issue that you want to change or influence? Express your key issue as a question 1 – Identify the focus

2 - What is happening already? Baseline data – what is the current position in your class / school / LA / wider educational community? Quantitative data – SATS scores etc Qualitative data – interviews / questionnaires Relevant theories Recent research findings

3 – What action will you be taking? Difference between current situation and what you aim to achieve Identify the action you are going to take Design a series of actions to test your ideas What data will you collect?

4 – Carrying out the action research Give the project a clear timeframe Carry out the action Collect the data as you go along

5 – Your findings Analyse the data Evaluate the outcomes against your intentions / hypothesis What answers do you have to your research question/s? What recommendations can you make? Who will you share your findings with? What further questions are raised?

Support for Learning Project tutorials from Nick Sorensen Study pack of readings Access to the BSU library (and electronic resources) Access to BSU Virtual Learning Environment (and lots of resources!) Accreditation support

DEADLINE FOR EXAM BOARDs Monday April 23 rd for June 2013 October 31 st for December 2013

For further information Nick Sorensen Bath Spa University Newton Park Bath