I learnt a lot from the process of the AOLs and the final essay and with the help of Adesola's feedback, I came to understand that it is something about ending and beginning again (the part in the middle) that enabled me to clarify my thinking to begin to move forward. I think I explained this a little better in my response to Adesola:
"it was interesting to me that the moment the essays were submitted my mind starting understanding the theories that threaded through Module one in a more complete way, as if in the act of ending everything became clearer. It is possible, with more time, I would have reached the same understanding and articulated this more clearly in the essay, however, I feel it has something to do with the process of finishing and beginning again, as you and Helen have said ‘the place in the middle’ that helps connect the learning."
Connection is so important for the learning process on this course and I am determined (like others have said) to make full use of all the exciting connections made possible by the blogs and Skype. For those who are starting module one I wanted to post a little thought I had in my 'review of learning' essay about the learning journey this MA affords us and the connections we make;
"I
understand each student on this course comes from a different set of
experiences, the connection we have is this MA and dance. The combination of
learning from this MA and our prior experience, is unique for each of us, the
connections we make allows knowledge to develop in a connectivist way. By blogging about our reflections and ideas,
we are each adding to the learning journey of the whole group, by framing these
journeys in this MA, enables us to move forward individually but connected. Through
Skype and blogging, I encounter theories and knowledge I didn’t know I was
looking for, sometimes this causes immediate development of learning, affecting
my research and sometimes it adds to my ‘slow-cooker’ of ideas, to dip into
when ready."
So, welcome to all those beginning the journey, I am looking forward to hearing your unique perspective, and for all us 'veterans' thank you for all the inspiration so far, I'm going to do my best to share my journey, research, theories and ideas as often as possible.
