Response from Sian to May 10 questions

1. Architecture observation
I spent today observing architecture tutors assessing student work (this was the final submission that followed the crit review I attended earlier in term). It was really useful and satisfied my intention of observing how tutors consider multimodal assessment artefacts. I think this will make for an interesting and valuable study, in the context of my work.

This all sounds very good - I'm glad the architecture observation went well.

2. Art and design observation
This has been a bit slower to get going, however I've done a bit of nuisance doorstepping and am assured it will still go ahead. To be honest, I'm not sure what I'll learn over and above what I've seen in architecture but will proceed nevertheless. To an extent though this is beyond my control - is it a problem if it doesn't happen, having included it in my proposal?

On art and design, I think you are taking the right approach in pursuing it - however if it turns out not to be a go-er I don't think that's a problem - it sounds like you have enough and I'd have thought at this point the main gain here is keeing good links with those folk for future projects. It's certainly not a problem re the proposal.

3. Referring to examples of edc multimodal work in my lit review
Is it appropriate to make reference to specific examples of multimodal work on the EDC gallery, within my lit review. Would this count as 'the literature'? Is it a but unconventional to talk about specific examples of student work in a lit review? It would be helpful if I could (and would also help to satisfy your suggestion from last meeting that I need to relate the review more closely to my own research).

Yes - reference specific examples - great. It's not like these are the *only* literature you're using, and it's important to cite/credit people properly for this work. If you publish from this (and I think you probably will want to) you'll need their permission.

4. Referring to course handbooks/assessment frameworks/learning outcomes in lit review
As per question 3. I have assessment documentation for architecture and art and design (and of course our own MSc). I think it would be useful to (briefly) acknowledge how multimodality is encouraged within this documentation. Is this appropriate?

Yes - that's fine - again, if you publish you'd probably want to just get the OK from eca.

5.  Using photographs of student work in dissemination
With the permission of Head of Department and tutors present on the day, I took photos of student work during my architecture visit. It's conceivable that I might want to include some of these images in my dissemination as examples of multimodal artefacts. I took a note of the names of students whose work I photographed with a view to seeking their permission to include in dissemination. As it was, there was actually quite a lot of photographing of work, by tutors and students - it seems an accepted part of what takes place. Nevertheless, it feels like I should seek permission to use images - what do you think?

As above - I think you'd need permission if you publish or present on it (so it's worth keeping a record of whose work it is etc) but I don't think you really need that now to use it (dissertations aren't public documents in the way theses are).

I can't remember if I told you I am going into hospital on 7 June for an operation on my knee, so will be out of action for a couple of weeks. I'll be a bit restricted in mobility for much of June/July but we can still have a meeting over that period if you're willing to have it at my place in Marchmont Cresent - let me know when might be useful for a 
catch-up - I can't quite recall what we agreed on this?