That is the work: Prepping for a Research Course

I have taught courses in teacher research a bunch of times. Next week is the first time I will teach the course in a week. The course will be in Taiwan and I will have a group of graduate students for four 8 hour days and three 3 hour nights. The first two days are the long days. And, they are a weekend. Or at least what would otherwise be their weekend if they did not sign up to be academically challenged (tortured) on top of their typical work week. My challenge is to get them where they need to be by the end of the week in the most dynamic and interesting way possible. To that end, I have spent today pouring through old ideas that I have previously used and checking out a book that has been collecting dust on my shelf for years.

The book I have been looking through is called “Stretching” Exercises for Qualitative Researchers by Valerie J. Janesick. The color and cover design of this book is the absolute worst. It is mostly teal, bordered with Pepto pink and has a woman on the front in a yoga pose that many people know as King Dancer pose (Natarajasana for my yoga snobs ;)). There is no way that anyone would ever look at this book and think it would be useful for research. The color alone repels my attention. But, someone I respect suggested it a few years ago, so I dug in.

All I can say is that I was completely wrong about this book. Not the cover design, but the content. This book is filled with ideas for innovative activities that speak to me at a deep level. The book has the heart of an artist. If you look at the picture I included you will see, a) I am totally right about the cover design (I know, get over it already), and b) I tabbed about 30 different pages. And I am stingy with my post it flags, so this is a jackpot.

Janesick is a master at finding creative ways to get students immersed in the work. She has created activities that are analogous to, but not completely on the nose, research practice. Her exercises bring students into dynamic ways to experience observation, interviewing, and analysis. She attempts to support students’ ability to create good writing habits and good habits of mind.

Ok, so I had to look her up. I wondered if she were an artist or a dancer. I found that she is professor emerita at University of South Florida and she has other books with equally bad covers. I don’t know what editor she worked with but this both does and doesn’t surprise me. My friends who have written books have struggled over cover designs too. None have been like this though. I was almost over it until I saw the other covers. It is an evolution like no other.

When I was looking her up I stumbled upon a book review that really bugged me. The reviewer writes,

“If we accept that there are “harder” and “softer” forms of qualitative research, Valerie J. JANESICK’s book is part of the softer side. She emphasizes the importance of imagination, creativity and open-mindedness; the “stretching exercises” she presents are likely to appeal to those who see their research and other aspects of their life as interdependent. The analogies she draws between yoga, dance and qualitative research may inspire — but those who are sceptical of artistic approaches to research are likely to find plenty to feel dubious about here.”

First of all, I am not a fan of the spelling “sceptical”. I know it is technically acceptable but I don’t like it. Everyone knows the letter K is funny. Using a “c” here is like they are purposely trying to make a point that they are NOT funny. Next, what researcher does not see their work and life as interdependent? We all do! And last, I feel that familiar sense of defensiveness when I read “hard and soft” and “sceptical” and “dubious” that seems to so easily be directed at qualitative research and arts based research in particular. This work is valid and true and meaningful. If it doesn’t speak to you fine, don’t use it. Cuddle up with your MANOVA and leave our found poetry out of it.

Anyway, that is how I spent my work hours today. I still have a lot of work to do to prepare for this class. However, I feel so much better about facing two 8 hour days during our first weekend together armed with such inspiring ideas.