Session+1+-+What+is+learning?

 //All professional practice is centrally concerned with the process of 'changing existing situations into preferred ones' // **Schön 1982: 46 **
 * What is learning? **

** Activity **  = = = = = Types of Learning (Jarvis, 1992) = Non-learning: ** Non-reflective learning ** Reflective learning ** 
 * Consider: **
 * 1) **What do you believe the purpose of education currently is? **
 * 2) **What ****do you believe the purpose of education should ideally be? **
 * 
 * making the same mistakes;
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">thinking that you already know what is being taught;
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">not worth paying attention;
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">rejecting what you’ve been taught
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * Changing learning behaviour and gaining new skills but without really understanding why;
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * Deep changes in understanding as a result of reflecting objectively, relating the learning to previous experience.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">What do you consider to be a definition of ‘learning’? **<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">What do you hope to learn from this course **?


 * What is reflective thinking?  **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Dewey (1933) defined reflective thought as ‘active, persistent, and careful consideration of any belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the grounds that support it, and the further conclusions to which it tends.

** Stages of the reflective process ** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">**Focus** : recall an event/incident/encounter that you witnessed or were involved in and which has left you feeling worried, confused, upset or unsettled. This could be major or minor.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Awareness **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: accurately describe the context, sequence of events and outcome. Describe negative feelings that you experienced in relation to the incident.

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 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Critical Analysis: **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">examine both your positive & negative feelings especially those that you know are stopping you thinking in a rational and clear way. What happened and why did it happen? Should you have challenged /intervened and what difference might this have made? How did the situation affect you and how did you affect the situation? Was there an exercise of power relations?

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 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Interpretation **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: develop a new perspective on the situation. This may involve new values/attitudes or a different way of thinking about something.

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 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Innovation **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: devise other options to deal with similar future incidents

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 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Commitment **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: take action to change something


 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Kolb’s (1984) learning cycle) ** <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">·  <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Planning tasks; <span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">·  <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Carrying out the work; <span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Reflecting on the experience; <span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Thinking about what helped you learn and what got in the way... <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">

= Activity: = <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">“I woke up late because my alarm didn’t ring. My own fault, but there you are. By the time I had finished my breakfast (my usual bowl of cornflakes and a cup of black coffee with three sugars), I had missed the bus (that’s the number 9, picked up at the bus stop outside Halfords), which had left on time (just for a change). So I got to university and by the time I’d found the right room, I was over thirty minutes late for my lecture. Unfortunately, the jobsworth invigilator wouldn’t let me take the exam because it was ‘against university regulations’. Didn’t he realize how important it was for me to pass that exam? My overall grade depends on it and now I have to re-sit in September when I wanted to have my holiday in Ibiza". //
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Consider this student’s experience: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">What might this student’s view on the situation once he had taken the opportunity to reflect upon it? **<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Focus **<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Awareness **:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Critical Analysis: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Interpretation **:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Innovation **:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Commitment **:


 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Now consider the following revised text which could be the result of applying reflective skills: **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">

//<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">I was over thirty minutes late for my exam which meant I was not allowed to sit it. This will have repercussions on my degree mark and on my holiday plans. This is the first time I have actually missed an exam but not the first time I’ve been late to exams and important interviews. //

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;"> **I have learned that:** **In order to improve the situation next year, I plan to:** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">

** Reflective Diaries/ Journals ** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> The reflective diary or journal is for you so write about what YOU want <span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Your feelings about learning experiences <span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Lecturers, other students, employers, mentors <span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Ambitions and progress <span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Challenges to your learning <span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Challenges at work <span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Your decision making <span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The decision making of others <span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Situations where you learn the most <span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Situations where you learn the least <span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Linking theory to practice <span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Worries and hopes <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> Each individual will have a different way of keeping a reflective diary. There are, however, some general points to reinforce to learners about their diary.

A record which is useful to you A cue to memory Honestly written Enjoyable to you in its production
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">It should be: **

To describe key events in your practice To evaluate key events in your practice To engage in focused evaluation of recurring themes Reflect on what may have become habitual Develop and appraise action taken
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">It can be used: **

Set aside time for writing Allow time for the sifting of thoughts and ideas Do not worry about style, presentation Remember that the aim is to facilitate reflection on practice Find evidence to back-up your thoughts: what evidence do I have for what I have just written?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Getting started on my reflective diary: **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Possible points to consider for my reflective diary... **
 * What was I aiming for when I did that?
 * What exactly did I do? How would I describe it precisely?
 * Why did I choose that particular action?
 * What theories/models/research informed my actions?
 * What was I trying to achieve?
 * What did I do next?
 * What were the reasons for doing that?
 * How successful was it?
 * What criteria am I using to judge success?
 * What alternatives were there?
 * Could I have dealt with the situation any better?
 * How would I do it differently next time?
 * What do I feel about the whole experience?
 * What knowledge/values/skills were demonstrated?
 * What sense can I make of this in the light of my past experience?
 * Has this changed the way in which I will do things in the future?