Diplomas Vs Advance Level

From my research I have found out that performing arts subjects tends not to be valued as much as other subjects, so my research is focused on all the excellent qualities and transferable skills Performing Arts subjects has to offer.

 The one shock I really got from my research is when I found out that Diplomas are not as valued Advance Level both in employment setting and in higher educational. This part of my research got my attention when I came across a book called "Non-Traditional Entrants to Higher Education: They talk about people like me" by Marion Bowl . This book did a research on women who have family and thought that they will never be good enough to go to university. Most of these women had diplomas in other subjects but their diplomas (even at level 3 which as the same weight as A-Level) did not meet some of the universities entry requirements. I was shock when I read this and thought it was incorrect because I did a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at college and was able to secure different places at university including my first choice. However, when I went on a blog spot about the college I work at, this guy wrote a very interesting post about how diplomas are bad and he will never employ anyone who is under 21 with a diploma.

Then when I was mentoring a student at work, who wanted to study Psychology at Westminster University, she informed me that she was afraid that she might not go to university because not all university or courses take students with a diploma. I told her that is was not the case and that universities entry are based on grades or ucas point. When I was trying to prove my point, I went onto Westminster university website for their BSc Psychology entry requirement and was surprised to see that it stated that they do not accept diplomas.

If a student is studying drama for example (this is a form of practical form of psychology), then it means that a student has wasted two years of their live. The main reason for this snub is that many people think that diplomas are too practical and therefore easy, however their are written elements involve in diplomas. Most diplomas are 70% practical and 30% written and teachers really stress how important the written element is on the course (this is stated by all the institutions I visited).

I personally don't understand this snobbish attitude to Diplomas and all the students I has stated that the courses are not easy. When I did my diploma, I certainly didn't find it easy.

 

Artifact

Even though I just started writing up my inquiry (last weekend) because I wanted to do most of the data gathering before I tacked the writing aspect of things. It seems like I am behind especially when I read other blogs, but, I have to say that I have also used my time to research (this also need its own research process) and think about how I will present my artifact.

This is not an easy process (I also tends to opt for the difficult formate and research when it comes to this inquiry) but my final discussion in how I will present my artifact not only suit the inquiry and its audience but also fit me and my life journey not only in this course but for outside of the course.

I am hoping to complete first drift of the inquiry and give it to my adviser by mid next week and then finish the main body of the artifact. I have tackled the artificial section.

I would like to complete everything by next weekend (30 March 2013).  

Depending on Others

One thing I have struggled with this inquiry is to depend on others. Even though this is not part of my inquiry (as in the content) but it is part of the process I have found the participants to be very difficult to get. I noticed that as soon as I mention the word "research" people seems to run for the hills. I really had to be inventive and think outside the box to get the information that was required for the inquiry.

When I wasn't really getting any when with the institutions I thought about visiting open days because this give me the tool to have a honest answers from the institutions. I still didn't get the interviews I needed from potential students and their parent (after exhausting all my resources, by calling schools, emailing schools, visiting and calling stage schools (this was an idea from my SIG buddy Rozana) and even praying I'll meet willing participant during the open days/evening). However, I did meet an older participant in my last open day visit and she was great. I will use some of her interview in the research. Due to all the problems I was facing I have decided to change my inquiry slightly from "What makes an attractive performing arts course/institution?"  to "Why are Performing Arts courses so Attractive". By changing it to this title still allowed me to use all the information I have gathered up both from the open days/evening and the literature to continue with the inquiry.

At first I was angry about the participants (or lack of), but now I am grateful to them and I am happy with how things turn out. I have now learnt more about all the good qualities performing arts or creative subjects have to offer not just to people who are in the profession, or its students but to society and the human race as a whole. Before this inquiry I knew some of the qualities and skills such as confident, interpersonal skills and self expression. But I now release how close psychology, science, sport and performing arts (just to name a few subjects) are and how learning and participating in performing arts gives you other skills and insight into other subjects. I think this is one of the reason young people (16-19 years old) are encouraged to study Performing Arts as one of their courses in college when they are unsure of what career direction to take. I also discovered that students who did Performing Arts courses have secured university places in really good courses such as Law, Bussiness, Accounting and some students have gained excellent position with top law and accounting firms.

Through my research I also found stigma linking to the type of qualifications performing arts offer. I have discovered that most performing arts courses are BTEC qualifications and these qualification tends to be looked down upon by (some) universities/courses and some employers in favours for the more academic Advance Level (A-Levels) courses. However, every institution I spoke to said that BTEC qualifications are more suitable for Performing Arts Courses especially those who want to enter the industry.    

I also find out things that can help anyone on any courses that is really big and important and that people who either have it, take it for granted or wished they didn't have it.

This research has really helped me learn more about the course I studied for many years but more about myself, my work with young people and my society.