strategies for managing the relation between theory and practice in the teaching of media-based courses department of media arts
theory and practice in media education~: two day schools
Presented by the Centre for International Media Analysis (CIMA), Department of Media Arts, 75 Castle Street University of Luton
Funded by the Art Design and Communication Learning and Teaching Support Network (ADM Subject Centre)
FINAL REPORT
Project overview
Our original plan was to arrange a programme of seminars and a day school to address strategies for managing the relation between theory and practice in the teaching of media and communication. These events were designed to bring together those with knowledge and experience of current forms of teaching, and knowledge and experience of the development of the subject, and of the ways in which debates about the relation between theory and practice have developed.
One paradoxical element in Media and Film Studies courses is that a heavily theorised subject attracts students with a strong interest in practical media production. In many institutions theory and practice are separately streamed, with very different cultures shaped by academic theoreticians, and by media industry based practitioners.
A core principle of media degrees at the University of Luton is that modules have both a theoretical and a practical element. This distinguishes it from those degree structures that separate practical and theoretical modules. Consequently, we have a large base of staff whose teaching experience directly engages with the issue of the relation between theory and practice.
We planned to invite academics and practitioners with experience of the problems of the theory practice relationship in diverse contexts to contribute to the programme.
In the early stages of planning, we realised that, rather than a series of separate seminars, with prestigious guest speakers, it would be better to stage two day schools. There were two reasons for this. First, it seemed likely that the really productive exchanges would grow out of bringing significant figures in the field together. This proved to be the case on both days, with Brian Winston, Ivor Gaber and John Ellis in particular making active contributions to discussion throughout the day. Second, we felt that tl1ere was a greater likelihood of people being prepared to travel to Luton for a day event than for a single speaker seminar. Again, this proved to be the case, with participants coming from as far as Bournemouth, Dublin, Liverpool, Leeds, Bristol, and Stirling.
We were able to persuade several prestigious speakers, including Professor John Ellis (Royal Holloway), Professor Brian Winston (University of Lincoln), Professor Ivor Gaber (Goldsmiths College), Dr Luke Hockley (University of Luton), Robert Ferguson (Institute of Education), Jolm Adams (University of Bristol) Patricia Holland (freelance media worker) Douglas Lowndes (Film maker), Dr. Mike Wayne (Brunel University), Dr. David Rowe (University of Newcastle, Australia) and Dave Green (University of Luton).
The events were advertised through various networks including MeCCSA, Pillarbox, the ADM Subject Centre, and our own email list of 230 media academics within relatively easy rail travel from Luton. With a week before the first event 26 have registered for the first event and 29 for the second, and we anticipate quite a few internal attenders who have not registered in advance. Around 25 different institutions are represented in the participant list with people coming from as far afield as Dublin and Stirling. It seems that the presence of a budget airline at Luton is a distinct advantage. The experience gained through staging this event suggests we re-organise our emailing list to incorporate those at Institutions within budget air travel reach of Luton (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast and Dublin).
Programme for the two events: see Appendix.
Attendance
Forty three people, from 26 different institutions attended one or other of the two day schools, with around 30 people at each. we were pleased and surprised at the number of people prepared to travel considerable distances - there were participants from as far afield as Dublin, Stirling, Sunderland, Liverpool and Bristol. In Appendix 2 is a list of participants who notified us they were coming (note that not all of them did actually attend).
Feedback:
Several participants have contacted us to say how much they enjoyed the two events. among comments made were:
"Just want to say how stimulating I found the two days so thanks for making them happen". "I thought the Friday conference was excellent - raised many interesting points"
Dissemination plans
John Adams (University of Bristol) in his capacity as editor of the Journal of Media Practice, voiced an enthusiasm for a special issue of the journal on the theme of theory and practice. The speakers have been contacted to inform them of this and to invite expressions of interest in producing written versions of their presentations for publication. The Department of Media Arts anticipates a continuing involvement in such debates.
For further information contact Professor Garry Whannel at: cima@luton.ac.uk
Appendix : Programmes for the Two Day Schools
March 21: The Great Divide: Theory and Practice in Media Education
10.30 Registration (coffee available from 10.15)
10.45 Welcome and Introduction Professor Garry Whannel (University of Luton)
11.20 Professor Brian Winston (University of Lincoln) Media, Practice, and Theory
12.10 Dr. Luke Hockley (University of Luton) Theory and Practice or From Praxis to Catharsis
1.00 Buffet lunch
2.00 Professor Ivor Gaber (Goldsmiths College, University of London) Why the Hacks Hate Media Studies
2.45 Dave Green (University of Luton) Teaching Documentary Production at Luton
3.30 Coffee/tea
3.45 Robert Ferguson (Institute of Education) Theory and Practice: What goes around comes around ?
4.30 John Adams (University of Bristol) Reflections on Theory and Practice
5.00 end of day
MAY 9th Bridging The Great Divide: Theory and Practice in Media Education
10.30 Registration (coffee available from 10.15)
10.40 Introduction: Professor Garry Whannel
10.50 Professor John Ellis (Royal Holloway) The Theory/Practice Non-Problem,
11.35 Patricia Holland (freelance media worker) Changing institutions; changing practice
12.15 short break
12.20 Douglas Lowndes (Film maker) Practising Theory and Theorising Practice
1.00 Buffet lunch
2.00 Dr. Mike Wayne (Brunel University)
Reflections on Pedagogy: Documentary theory and practice in the classroom
2.45 Dr. David Rowe (University of Newcastle, Australia)
Theory, Practice and the Future
3.30 Coffee/tea available.
3.45 Discussion: ways forward?
4.15 Event concludes