First School Visit

Today, I had my first school visit of three that I have arranged. This was at Whitchurch Junior School, which covers Years 3-6. I was able to interview some pupils from Year 4 and Year 2 as the latter were visiting from the Infants School, who have actually been unable to accommodate a visit from myself due to being busy with a research project in collaboration with another University. So this was useful! I was also able to speak to two Teachers, one from Year 3 and the other from Year 6, who is also to Deputy Head Teacher of the school.

I recorded all 4 interviews on my Dictaphone and have since edited these after my visit. The editing process took longer than I expected but this is because I have not done such editing before. So, it took a long time, but I have learnt a new skill, which will help with the recordings of my next two school visits. These recordings will be found on a CD within my research submission.

I feel like the experience of going into a primary school to interview staff and children alike has been very valuable and informative to the development of my project. It is very easy to be at home and make plans for the project and thinking that these will fit into what happens in 'reality' inside educational institutions. The research has shown me that I have been blinkered about the possibilities of this project. Also, the realities of delivering a variety of different subjects with lots of Disney characters is going to be overwhelming and probably not that effective for children. Other approaches have been though about and discussed today. Even my perceptions of which characters the pupils would be attracted to were different to the reality, for example, I expected a Year 4 pupil to want Superman or Cars to be featured in his classes, but surprisingly to me, his favourite was Mickey Mouse. I expected Mickey Mouse to be liked by children in Reception and possibly Year 2 classes.

So, I am looking forward to the next two school visits that I am doing tomorrow and Friday. These will hopefully also open my senses to other teaching approaches and child perceptions.

So today has consisted of:

• Writing and completing my Marketing Report Contents list and my Draft Introduction - this are to be submitted next week.
• A school visit for primary research
• Editing the audio recordings
• Confirming my second school visit for tomorrow
• Some secondary research on the Disney Market sector
• Booking a ticket to the Education Show at the National Exhibition Centre, 15-17th March. I feel this is going to be a bit late to benefit me hugely, however I still think any knowledge around my chosen topic is valuable and therefore, this is worth a visit.

I am now going to:

• Research some more exhibitions, talks, museums or events that I can attend to support my primary research. I am looking at Interactivity and how children learn creatively and effectively. These visits may be valuable in many ways, from giving a development idea, to more promotional method ideas to design ideas and consumer interaction and attitudes.
• Look at Disney's Interactive Stores
• Look at the Times Educational Supplement

I am pleased with how today has gone, I feel it has been very productive and also beneficial for me and the project.