I wasn't happy with what I had produced as I didn't feel as connected to the subject as I wanted to be. As a dance teacher looking to transition into a primary school teacher I have always been interested in learning styles, however I wasn't concentrating my efforts on MY learning style and taking time to analyse how they work for me.
Image Source A - McLeod, S (2017) Kolb's Learning Styles and Experimental Learning Cycle - retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/learning-kolb.html
Active Experimentation - I had planned that I wanted to add elements of Kolb's Learning Cycle and Multiple Intelligences (Gardner, 1983), I dived in with the knowledge I had gained without applying it to something relevant to me.
Concrete Evidence -So while I was trying out what I had learned it dawned on me I had not fully understood what I was writing about. This experience was disheartening and caused me to lose momentum. Leading to me abandoning that draft and take time to recollect information and reflect on my failed blog.
Reflective Observation - I went back to re-reading the module handbook, this time however I didn't just read it and highlight bits, I used many different coloured pens to re-write sections how I understood them and to pick out questions I had or what I wanted to look further into. This made me very aware of my cycle of learning, and how I often experiment and try things physically before paying attention to the smaller details or looking at things from different angles.
Abstract Conceptualisation - This learning experience has had a particularly positive outcome on not only my understanding of Kolb's Learning cycle but on my outlook and plans for the rest of the module. I didn't plan to make this blog on Learning styles become my example of learning styles but I'm glad it did. I look forward to applying this to my further learning and observations within my practice.
I wanted to support this learning experience by applying Howard Gardners - Multiple Intelligences (Gardner,1983) theory to my reflection and how this has an effect on my learning and practice.
Image Source B - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Multiple-intelligence.jpg
I am most definitely body smart and people smart, this is very helpful in my practice as a dance teacher as I rely on my body to respond to what I am thinking and how I explain things. Being interpersonal I am comfortable engaging with people and can give feedback. I feel that at times I can struggle with academic studies. I like to discuss my ideas with others and rely on feedback to validate my work. As with the handbook, I felt I didn't fully engage with it until I had physically re-written it.
Through my reflective journal I have noted that I often use the learning techniques that appeal to my learning style such as Imagery, Repetition and Physical Correction so have made a note to try new ways of giving feedback and corrections to my students as a way to broaden my understanding.
What do you feel is your dominant intelligence? Does it correlate with your practice?
Through my reflective journal I have noted that I often use the learning techniques that appeal to my learning style such as Imagery, Repetition and Physical Correction so have made a note to try new ways of giving feedback and corrections to my students as a way to broaden my understanding.
What do you feel is your dominant intelligence? Does it correlate with your practice?
This period of reflection has really boosted my confidence and motivation. I now have lots of thoughts on my areas of learning and have a better understanding of how I process information and turn my experiences into learning.
Bibliography
Gardner, H. 1983. Frames of mind: the theory of multiple intelligences, New York, Basic Books
Kolb,D. 1984. Experimental learning: experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Image Source
A -McLeod, S (2017) Kolb's Learning Styles and Experimental Learning Cycle - retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/learning-kolb.html
B- By Sajaganesandip [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)],retrieved from Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Multiple-intelligence.jpg
Really enjoyed reading this Charlie, and I really agree with how the process of reflection has boosted motivation. I have been inspired to approach everything within how I view my professional practice in a different way and learnt so much about it through this new found confidence to analyse and elaborate on what I do by peeling away at the layers. Look forward to reading more on your blog.
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