Summary of Part 2, Module 1

A pattern is forming, I work on a part in a module, I have a skype session with Paula Nottingham, I blog a summary to mark the notion that I'm moving on. I like patterns, I find them comforting, with the insecurity that comes with the unknown future tasks, I take comfort in a bit of order and structure to the way I blog the tasks. I'm finding that I am developing a real style in my approach to the tasks and breaking old thought patterns, a new outlook on my work is developing and hopefully an improved one. Part 2 enabled me to explore the world of critical reflection. On my journey I looked into the idea of keeping a journal and established it's role within my practice. Then I explored the many different ways to write your journal and the benefits to the different methods, exploring this further I played with the various modes of journal too, being as creative as possible with the reflective tools. I then took a look at what the theories behind reflective practice were, I wanted to understand what they were saying and see it's relevance to my practice. My final stop in the journey was to look at the ideas of those in my practice, who do I agree with? Who do I admire? What further inquiries would this bring? At first reader 2 alarmed me, but then I'm learning that all readers will probably do the same, I just hope I learn to manage this shock I seem to get every time I'm presented with a set of new ideas on the course. When I started the course, it was words like 'reflection' that made me aware of the work that was cut out for me. I learn that the fear of the unknown isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's like the sort of fear and adrenaline you have before a performance. I use it to enter into a new set of ideas with caution and carefully observe everything, then decide what I am to do with the information presented to me. Not so scary after all...

Question

Can I just move on from task 2 or do I need to check with Paula?

I'm still clinging on to 'miss please hold me hand' mode. I need to really establish a confidence in my learning and my decisions, putting it more candidly, I'm my own boss on the course and I need to grow up. I need to stop playing for approval and get on with the tasks, that is where the learning is. So no more 'please miss' - just get on with it.

My online rapport with other students isn't really happening? I'm not really getting comments, is this a timing thing? Do I need to slow down and publish fewer posts so I can match the timing of others?


Comments on the blogs are very important. It supports the whole idea of community interaction that Web 2.0 supports. I found that I am finding it difficult to get people to read my work and strike up conversations with them. As if by magic Liam Conman publised the following post, http://tmcofliam.blogspot.com/2012/03/effective-blogging-how-to-encourage.html. He created a sort of trouble shooting guide to effective blogging. It really helped and I will endeavour to improve my online relationships.

Additional reading


This was an intense read, David Kolb's scientific approach to reflection was definitely exploring the theory of a subject in a way I haven't experienced before. I was particularly interested in the learning cycle.

Put into words, the figure illustrates that concrete experiences come through the sensory cortex, reflective observation involves the integrative cortex at the back, creating new abstract concepts occurs in the frontal integrative cortex, and active testing involves the motor brain. In other words, the learning cycle arises from the structure of the brain (Kolb, 2005).

It was interesting for me to take his cycle and apply it to the reflection I do in my practice. Learning about how I learn is important. Twyla Tharp supported this idea in my next additional reading choice,


“the better you know yourself, the more you will know when you are playing to your strengths”(Tharp, 2006).


 Tharp created an interesting argument that using words as reflection isn't always useful and the practitioner can use any method suitable to them, such as muscle memory.


Jennifer Moon's book enabled me to have a greater understanding of my journal and really pinpointed what it's job actually is,

“A learning journal is essentially a vehicle for reflection” (Moon, 2006).  Jennifer Moon describes a learning journal, “as a personal development plan, a ‘progress file’ or a record of achievement” (Moon, 2006).

Understanding brings control, in having a good concept of my journal and the use of it as reflective practice, I can use it as a tool to investigate my ideas.

Final Summary

I find my new learning exiting, I think I have always reflected, as artist do it naturally. What interests me is my growing knowledge of the tools I can consciously, not habitually use to improve my professional practice. Having a concept of reflection will enable me to put my ideas through a systematic process and use my journal to brew new ideas. As always the tasks are unfinished and subject to interaction online, their presences lives on through my blog and I intend to engage in these conversations and learn more from the ideas of others. Finally I notice that I need to develop a confidence in my voice within my academic writing. It seems I don't trust my views fully and quote the ideas of others too often. I hope that in time I will establish a professional, academic voice that stands up on it's own, but takes inspiration from others. I went a bit crazy on the last piece of work and cited every point I made, I now understand that it needs to be a balance. I hope to create a piece that contains my ideas on the page, but clearly displays the ingredients for how I got there.

References:

Kolb, D et al, 2005. Learning styles and learning Spaces: Enhancing experiential learning in higher education [online] Available from: http://rt5vx6na7p.search.serialssolutions.com/?ctx_ver=Z39.88- 2004&ctx_enc=info%3Aofi%2Fenc%3AUTF- 8&rfr_id=info:sid/summon.serialssolutions.com&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev :mtx:journal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Learning+Styles+and+Learning+Sp aces%3A+Enhancing+Experiential+Learning+in+Higher+Education&rft.jtitle =Academy+of+Management+Learning+%26+Education&rft.au=Alice+Y+Ko l
b&rft.au=David+A+Kolb&rft.date=2005-06-01&rft.issn=1537- 260X&rft.volume=4&rft.issue=2&rft.spage=193&rft.externalDBID=AMLE& rft.externalDocID=866536871 [accessed 24 Feb 2012]
Moon, J. 2006, A handbook for Reflective Practice and Professional Development [online], Available from: http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S97 80203969212 [accessed 24 Fen 2012]
Tharp, T. 2006. The creative habit: Learn it and use it for life: a practical guide, New York, Simon & Schuster