Monday 28 February 2011

Journal Writing

I have found Tufnell, Tharp and Moons ideas on Reflection, and the concept that reflection does not have to be written, very interesting. The discovery of my personal reflection process is similar, in that the ideas which have come to me through the world outside, but have made a connection to be through my body, my ears, eyes and nose, into my skin and organs, translated through my sight, and realising how they make me feel, responding to these ideas, I have discovered the ’changing fields’ of what has happened to me and in their words, ‘my knowledge of the world begins’.

However, I have also realised that as a professional, I need to be able to find a way to verbally, or through some kind of written communication to document my reflection, rather than relying on this tacit knowledge, however precise I think it may be or feel at the time of its creation.

I have understood two key things from this section of the reader. The first being that Journals are a common method of recording ones reflection, specifically encouraged in education in today’s world. They are a common technique for professionals to develop and keep in touch with changing and updating any new information in accordance with the outside world. Many see them as a vehicle for reflection that will ultimately improve my Web Based Learning and Professional Practise as a dancer and dance captain/company manager.

Coincidently, through my own mini reflection process, I have also come to realise that specifically for me, making my journal colour coded, and adding use of diagrams and flow charts aids me hugely. Call it a photographic memory if you like, colours provoke recollection of my written work therefore helping my learning, all leading to aiding my professional practise. Any one else with me on this one?! Through the process of critical thinking, I have realised that perhaps I could try a different method of journal writing to see how my learning is affected. I could perhaps try experimenting with creating a poem, or scrap booking my ideas from newspaper articles and papers as I know I particularly enjoy and it is a regular practise of mine to read the daily papers, a wide range of magazines and online articles. I could even use my new knowledge of Web 2.0 based technologies such as you tube clips found on Google for further inspiration before documenting my reflection process in my journal.

2 comments:

Stephanie Thomas said...

It sounds like you are getting on well well the journal writing and coming up with some really creative ways of reflecting that are useful to your visual way of thinking. I like the idea of using colours - I sometimes mark lines or sections of scripts in this way...for me colours are very evocative...it might be an interesting exercise to be able to look back and see what 'colour' you were feeling that day.

Let me know if you decide to try out Adesola's poetry idea! I did my first one last night and although it's probably terrible poetry...I found it a really helpful way of recognising my overriding mood last night and work out what was going on in my mind.

I would love to communicate more too - I'm finding it really thought-provoking. Have you joined the Middlesex Uni BAPP 'Group' on facebook? I think there are discussions going on through that, that we could get involved with.

Sonal Natasha Patel said...

Sophie you seem to being doing well with your ideas! Reading your post and looking at my on going journal, it has come to my attention that I have already been using what you describe as photographic memory. The colour code papers, pens and diagrams such as tables and graphs. I never notice my reflection and you made me think. This is what I have been using in helping me with my professional practice, keeping all my work in groups and organising like so.
I am going to try the poetry theory and see where this takes me? My reflection is coming on well as I found it difficult at first but I am starting o wonder whether I should use other ideas? What do you think?