Posts archive for: August, 2008
  • Learning Journals at Work?

    Have been having an interesting conversation with Matt, my Husband, about the use of learning journals in a work environment. There is much reference to this in 'Learning Journals' by Jennifer Moon and some of the points she makes we have talked about.

    Matt was saying that his team at times have difficulty in seeing the bigger picture and can get stuck in the detail a little. He also mentioned that they have some fantastic ideas, but without Matt's backing struggle to bring them into the workplace, and Matt has difficulty in finding the time to listen to thier ideas.

    These are definately two areas where the concept of a learning jounral would be favourable. The process of keeping a journal, by it's very nature, forces you to take your time, which will assist in Matt placing more emphasis on journal writing/reading in his work. The team may find a journal helpful when working through things and once the detail has been addressed maybe they can take a step back from it.

    We did discuss however, the issues around audience, who might be party to their writings and how that might affect what they write. We also spent time discussing the idea that there might need to be some guidance around writings about other people, and the company, so as to avoid any negative prose being made public via the Internet.

  • More Journal Stuff

    I've been reading more of my 'Learning Journal' book by Jennifer Moon (ought to probably practice my referencing here - but not today hey?).

    I am particularly interested in the concepts of 'assimilation' and 'accomodation'. This is the suggestion that we don't learn by just taking in new information and piling it up on top of that we already know, rather we absorb new information by relating or linking it to things we already know and then cross referencing it. Also the fact that sometimes things we learn shift things we already knew, as it changes our ideas about the world. I love this concept as I don't feel as intelligent human beings that we just take information in on face value anymore - what about if we don't agree with it? or if it is the opposite of something else we've learnt? She talks about this too and indicates that learning in these cases can be quite painful and difficult and we will often look to discredit the source in these instances. She also talks about the fact that we sometimes just change our mind (my Husband would agree with that!) and that too is just an example of these processes. In this instance the learning isn't directed - it's very much owned by the learner.

  • Reflection Starts Here!!!

    I've had a great afternoon as far as the studying goes! [am studying Antenatal Education - with a view to becoming an Antenatal teacher with the NCT.] Which is good because I was feeling pretty fed up with life in general before then!

    Have got myself organised as regards the libraries today and it's had a knock-on effect. I contacted Sheffield Hallam Uni and ended up down at thier Collegiate Learning Centre which is where my books are held. How handy is that? Just down the road, parking's a doddle, absolutely fabulous.

    Took myself down there, SCONAL and Uni Card in hand, and the staff there took care of the rest. I now have a library card, a photocopying account, access to three of the midwfery journals and I know where the books are! A bonus was I found not only midwifery texts, but antenatal texts and books about learning and teaching too!

    Have picked up three books relevent to my 2nd assignment 'Introduction to the Programme' Essay, and had chance to read 'Practising Midwife' and photocopy a couple of interesting articles as well.

    I FEEL LIKE A STUDENT - YAY!!!!

    One of the books, Learning Journal by Jennifer Moon, which is a recommended text is all about keeping a reflective diary. So far (I'm only 10 pages in) it's really interesting and I was so inspired that here I am with the first entry on my new blog!!! This is my reflective diary - it's just going to be online.

    Only problem is it took me a while to settle on the title. 'Discere-docendo' is latin for 'learning through teaching' which I thought was apt. Plus no-one else will know what it means when they see the URL so I can look really intelligent when they ask - ha ha!

    Here's to the fact that I have actually started my reflective diary - Cheers!

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