The Kid in the Candy Store

Boy! I though I was over my confusion, but I just don't know where to turn next, or first, or next.

I'm beginning to be exposed to all this teaching methodology - well actually, bombarded with names that i know nothing about, would be a more accurate description - and it's all really exciting. And I want to read everything. NOW. The strong irony being that I'm beginning to feel like Pavlov's dog as I rush off to the library to borrow a new (to me) book every time I hear a new name. At the moment I have six books out directly related to my course and a further four of general interest that I have sooo much time to read.

Today has been a day of ironies. It started off by having uni on a public holiday - yes where is the time for bludging? em - and then continued when I labeled myself as an activist learner in a lecture on experiential learning. Me, that reads ten books on any subject in order to develop the confidence to approach said topic, categorized myself as someone who jumps in head first. And don't even start with the hippy references y'all. I hear them. I was wearing my Danger! Landmines t-shirt today however; maybe that had something to do with it.

So this idea comes from a guy called Kolb (I think) who states there are four types of learners: activists, reflectors, theorists and pragmatists. Activists and theorists sit on opposite sides of a circle, and on the other two faces are the reflectors and pragmatists. Whilst the dichotomy between the first two is somewhat obvious, the latter are leaving me somewhat confused, more so after our lecturer said that pragmatists are forward thinking and plan stuff, and reflectors review what has happened in the past. But if the whole point of history is to prepare us for the future I'm finding it really hard to separate the two. And how can you plan without looking backwards? Anyway, apparently we use all these styles in a continuous circular progression as we learn, but most of us have stronger tendencies towards one of these styles.

We then went on to talk about critical reflection and it's usefulness as a tool for budding teachers. Stephen Brookfield talks about four lenses through which we (this is a very inclusive course) can look at our prac.: autobiographically, peer feedback, student feedback (which were often one and the same for me in Japan) and through literature (the fun nerdy bit). And this is where you guys come in, that is to say, anyone reading this.

I had a bit of a discussion with one of my lecturers today about using my blog as the forum for my reflective journal. A reflective journal is the place where I get to dump all my wonder, confusion, irritation etc. The poor student's couch. There is a danger that if I drop everything in a public domain, I'll necessarily filter some stuff, which of course compromises the exercise. I was reading Hosseini's Kite Runner recently - bear with me, there is a point - and was absolutely blown away by the manner in which the central character bared his human flaws, and claws. No tragic hero this, but at times, an over privileged brat who still manages to evoke compassion from the reader by his sheer honesty. After reading it I truly wished I had the bravery not to sugarcoat my own shortcomings in my writing, so for me, this will sometimes be an exercise in honest confrontation.

Of you dear reader, I ask for critical feedback, given with sincerity and compassion. I think you have to register to post, to keep the spammers away, and as this is my blog, I reserve the right to moderate flamers. But I invite you all to come on what promises to be a crazy, exiting roller coaster of a year.