Since my previous blog post, I have been at my placement 3 times since then. One day consisted of doing interviews for my dissertation and the other two were taking a number of classes that were on my scheduled timetable.
Last week I sat with the head of the PE department and discussed what I wanted out of my placement and what he could help me with in regards to my dissertation. My placement provider has been really helpful as he has allowed me to kill two birds with the one stone by carrying out my 30 hours placement but also allowing me to gather data for my research project whilst doing so. We sat for a period of time, looking over what pupils had dropped out of PE and in particular what pupils to target to interview later on in that week. We gathered a list of 11 pupils who dropped out in third year, however, these pupils still needed to partake in core P.E. This allowed me to grab some of these pupils for a chat at the end of the lesson and ask them a few general questions about what would motivate them to partake in P.E and what their reasons were for dropout. By doing a quick interview at the end of the lesson it allowed me to still be able to teach and gain experience from shadowing the class that day but also gather data.
The information that I have gathered has not only helped me with my dissertation but it as also provided the P.E department with valuable information on what pupils want out of their lessons and the reasons behind them dropping out. Incorporating my interviews into my work experience was apart of my project plan at the start and both me and my placement provider were aware of this.
Next week, I have been asked to be a judge at a dancing competition at St Ambrose High School for Active Schools as part of my placement. This will give me a different opportunity and will give me an insight into a different career path. I am looking forward to it and hopefully gain more experience in the sporting field by doing so.
It is good that you are able to use your placement to progress with your dissertation. It is exciting you are able to Judge a contest too, this will give a different perspective for you.
Hope you have managed to gather enough data for your dissertation, and keep enjoying your placement, especially the judging – Keir
That is great that your placement provider has been able to help you with your dissertation, good luck for both your dissertation and the rest of your placement. – Lewis