Expanding My Knowledge
So this is my first ever official blog post!
Blogging isn’t something I have ever done before - to be honest, it is completely out of my comfort zone. But one of the main reasons I am on the BA PP course is to learn to push myself both within my confidence and academic knowledge.
I found the task of starting the blog quite daunting, finding myself unsure about where to start. Still worried about making a mistake, I began by reading blogs of previous students for inspiration as well as watching videos on how to set up my blog via YouTube. I still felt unsure and decided to wait until our first zoom call before I started my post.
Thank you to the previous module students and Helen for making me feel at ease. The comments made on the call allowed me to understand there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong way to do things as long as you are expanding your knowledge.
After reading the module one handbook again, I realised that I identified with David Kolb’s Learning Circle Theory.
‘Grasping experience refers to the process of taking in information, and transforming experience is how individuals interpret and act on that information.’ (Kolb 2013, p. 7)
I began to prepare for this blog with ‘reflective observation’ allowing myself to learn from others. I continued my learning through ‘abstract conceptualisation’ by thinking about my options after sourcing more knowledge from videos. I find that I learn best with lots of preparation alongside allowing myself to have confidence in what I am doing.
I am glad that I have been able to reflect on my method of learning at this point and I know at what point I enter Kolbs’s ‘learning cycle’. On reflection of my learning, gaining this knowledge has allowed me to understand more about my learning. However, I am realising that it might hinder me at times. For example, if I actively experimented with ideas and started my blog before the introduction call I may have already gained more confidence to write my blog. I want to try and enter Kolb’s learning cycle at different points, to develop different ways of learning.
Throughout this course, I want to ensure that I expand my knowledge, not only within my practice but how I learn as a whole for the future. I hope that I can develop the skills to learn in multiple different ways to expand my knowledge to the highest efficiency.
P.S also trying to understand citing correctly 🤞🏻 This is sort of right
Theoretical concept – Learning Cycles
Kolb, A Y. Kolb, D A. (2013) THE KOLB LEARNING STYLE INVENTORY 4.0 - A Comprehensive Guide to the Theory, Psychometrics, Research on Validity and Educational Applications [online] [accessed 8 February 2021]
I love your quote at the end! Very true indeed.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jacqueline
DeleteDefinitely something I am trying to live by at the moment don’t let fear of failure stop you
I love your quote at the end! Very true indeed.
ReplyDeleteHi Sophie,
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your first blog post and can relate to it so much. I am also new to the world of blogging and am trying to learn to 'just go with it'. The zoom call was a massive help with realising that no thought or feeling is ever too small if it is relevant to you. Like you say in your blog there isn't a right or wrong way of doing things. This to me is quite freeing.
I'm glad you have been able to reflect on the way you learn. It's crazy that we all have different processes but its great reading about how yours work for you. Maybe during this course our cycle will change and we will enter into it at a different point?
Looking forward to reading your next blogs and starting this course with you,
Abigail x
PS- still not sure on how to cite properly either!!!
Hi Abigail
DeleteInterestingly, you find it quite freeing with no right or wrong, I find that stressful. I think I rely a lot on having those boundaries and find reassurance from knowing I am doing the right thing. This is something I am also going to have to work on.
I hope that during the course I can develop different methods to allow me to enter the cycle at different points, therefore making me a more versatile learner.
Thanks for your lovely comment
Sophie xx
Hi Sophie,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Abi, it's interesting how we all learn and approach a task. I'm always impressed by people who use your method; researching ahead of time so you're well prepared. I tend to jump in and work it out as I go along. Somehow I usually feel this is less valid/valuable but in fact, it's just different.
You've inspired me to look into the Learning Circle Theory more.
Sally
Hi Sally,
DeleteWow I envy how you can just jump into things. I have developed a lot of coping skills for learning due to my dyslexia and I think that’s why I always want to be as prepared as possible for a task. I would love to just start a task without the worry or without have already planned out each detail. Different ways of learning have always interesting me as I have always had a slight difficulty when it comes to typical methods of learning.
I’m glad I have been able to inspire others on my course - this blogging isn’t as bad as I thought haha
Sophie
Hi Sophie, that in itself is a really good reflection, the route cause of why we learn a particular way (as noted on page 44 of the module handbook). I need to spend a bit more time to think about my ways of learning and why...
DeleteSally
Hi Sophie,
ReplyDeleteI was also so worried about blogging as I had never done it before when I started. I found that having a theme for each blog has helped me plan what I want to say but I know others are more free with it! Reflection is a great way to learn and so focusing in on Kolb's learning cycle is a great place to start. Also, love the quote!
Alys :) xx
Hi Alys,
DeleteThanks so much for the advice, I think that having a theme will actually really help me especially when still trying to find me feet when it comes to the handbook. I actually think that this is probably the first time I have really sat down and reflected on my own learning and my practice after reading through the course. I hope that I can find new ways to see myself and my practice.
Sophie x
Hi Sophie, loved the blog! I too am getting used to blogging as it's not something I've done before. I found Kolb's learning cycle very interesting to learn about too and realised that when it comes to academic work I enter the cycle at a different place to where I enter when doing my practice. I look forward to reading more of your posts!
ReplyDeleteNiamh x
Hi Niamh,
DeleteThanks! When I was looking at Kolb’s Learning cycle I was only considering from my academic perspective. You have made me think more about my practice. On reflection I tend to work things out in my head first, it’s interesting that in different learning environments we fall into a different part of the learning cycle.
I look forward to connecting with you more across our blogs!
Sophie x
Interesting to think about entering the learning cycle at different times depending on whether it's academic or your practice... good food for thought!
DeleteHi Sophie!
ReplyDeleteSo nice to be able to see how many of us were apprehensive about our first blog! I spent about an hour worrying what people would think of it! So seeing the community build up is lovely!
Your blog has inspired me to go and look into the learning cycle Theory as I am still working my way through the handbook, so I look forward to finding out how I do things! And you have reminded me to learn how to cite!
I look forward to reading your next blog
H x
Hi Hannah,
DeleteMe too I’m glad a lot of us all felt the same, it proves that the blogs help us connect as a community and it’s best to talk about how we feel and struggles we find.
I think I’ll always be working through the hand book it’s my third time reading and I’m still coming across things I question and am learning from which is actually even more inspiring, keeping me busy through lockdown.
Thanks
Sophie x