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.

Using Reflection to turn experience into learning to find my own Artistic Vision.

       I have been working my way through reader two, and have found Kolb’s ‘Cycle Of Learning’ particularly interesting. What I hadn’t realised, was that by being introduced to Kolb and his theories by reading recent posts from fellow students and tutors Sonal, Stephanie, Paula and Adesola, was that I was already ‘inside’ the circle myself. Having the experience of creating my blog, using others comments coupled with my own creativity and ability to improve on something to ‘better’ my blog, then receiving constructive criticism and general feedback from my tutors, learning and concluding from this, and then learning from this and onto planning the next step on improving on it. Where of course the whole process starts to repeat itself once again.

After reading through the first section of the reader, (Ref Page 11, thanks Adesola), I have also come up with my own diagram, with my sort of own mini philosophies. I have found it a really useful way to discover traits about myself, and how I personally use reflection to turn experiences into learning. If you have time to do one, it’s a really interesting exercise, part of the huge journey to understanding how you do work as a person, as well as how this affects your professional practise.

Finally, reading about Howard Gardner has also been particularly thought provoking. His three theories of ‘multiple intelligences’, ‘VAK’, and ‘multiple lenses’. Personally, with regards to the lenses that I look through as a learner shouldn’t limit me. I realise I should use them as a tool to recognise how I, and others learn as well. I know I find specifically ‘Visual’ learning from Gardner’s ‘VAK’ concept the most helpful. It is also the one I use most on my Professional Practise. With being Dance Captain and having to teach routines to foreign cast members - usually we couldn’t speak the same language so this visual aid was essential. Also, in my Foundation In Dance Instruction studies in Classical Ballet, I realised children must rely on this method of learning too - after all, what child really knows French well enough to be able to translate that ‘pile’ means to bend, and ‘jete’ to throw, for example.

Flickr Account

Hello,

So just managed to set up my Flickr account, uploaded a varied photostream of pictures all relating to my Professional Practise. Wide range to have a look at from rehearsals to performance to fellow cast, to the ship its self during dry dock, sailing, the Captain and crew also creep in there too to give as much detail, and hopefully interest and enjoyment as possible.

I have found the process of 'geo tagging too', has anyone else found it? With my Professional Practise revolving hugely around the places we physically visited whilst dancing, I have found this Web 2.0 echnology perfect to give that little extra information and ultimatly boost the overall description of my specific work line.

To access it, you have to of course sign up to Flickr, I have noticed many already have, Sonal Patel has some great pics in her photostream too, she let me know through her lates blog, thanks Sonal. You are then required to set up your personal profile so to speak, thats bit is easy so don't be too daunted!

Here is the shortcut to it.

http://www.flickr.com/people/sophieemmadouglas1990/

Campus Session!

Hey everyone, how is everything going for everyone?

Currently working my way through the reader 2, finding lots of interesting informations. Working on my Flickr slideshow of pictures too, I am having to hold of my Powerpoint Presentation currently due to technical difficulities but it is on its way! So many things to experiment with!

Wanting to ask how the Campus Session gone on the 21st? Lots of interesting points raised no doubt, unfortunately I did not make it but if anyone had anything they wanted to discuss would love to know!

Many Thanks!

silverwhisper2010.mp4

Hi Guys,

This is my first youtube creation, taken while and countless different technologies to create, but let me know what you think!

Would like to put it on my profile permanantly I think, welcome to my Professional Practise!

Hi Guys,

Great post from Alan Durrant about Flickr if anyoneis struggelling. I am currently putting a few pictures and slides together, experiementing between Flickr, Slideshare and Youtube but his post really helped me where to get started. Check it out if like me you felt a bit overwhelmed!

Thanks Alan!

Self Managment Essential to Profession Practise

      Wanting to point out a blog post I have just read from Sonal Patel, it is regarding Self Management. Such a great blog Sonal, and if it makes you feel any better, I was feeling a bit lost as to where we had got up to too. Shows such great initiative to stop for a second, find out exactly where you are on the course breakdown and structure. All these skills, time management, communication with tutors, willingness to ask for all will all go towards great Professional Practise, whatever specifically this may be.