Month: May 2016

Embedded learning

I believe in lifelong learning and Jarvis (2010) has defined learning as:

“the combination of processes throughout a lifetime whereby the whole person – body (genetic, physical and biological) and mind (knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, emotions, meaning, beliefs and senses) – experiences social situations, the content of which is then transformed cognitively, emotively or practically (or through any combination) and integrated into the individual person´s biography resulting in a continually changing (or more experienced) person.”

The definition is hopelessly complicated and if you want a catchy slogan to promote learning, this is not the one. Yet, I can´t help myself – I love it! I think it is brilliant and the more I learn about learning the more I get to adore the definition.

I have designed a learning activity and today I was trying to argue for what theoretical framework it has. The activity aims to enhance the students awareness of ethical dilemmas linked to CPR-resuscitation and what considerations to be highlighted. The students will be divided into small groups and they will get three short introduction videos to the topic,

  • Surviving CPR-resuscitation
  • Not surviving CPR-resuscitation
  • No active CPR-resuscitation

After watching them the students are supposed to discuss ethical considerations and argue for pros and cons. Finally they are asked to present a quick version of their discussion for the other groups.

At first it was not an easy task to take a theoretical stand but after some reading and thinking it ended up with me arguing for Vygotsky´s Sociocultural Theory… or at least from that tradition. Development and learning process is dependent upon collaboration, interaction and relationship. When I got feedback from my colleagues I learned that this learning activity also could be related to Variation Theory by Marton. At first sight CPR-resuscitation is all about saving lives. When diving into the topic, viewing from different angles students can learn throughout discerning differences about the topic.

It appears to me that teaching is a blessing thus you can pick and choose from a diversity of learning theories when designing learning activities. The main thing is to choose the right theory for the right purpose. The purpose of learning! As Jarvis definition implies, learning is a complex process, occurring both cognitively, emotively and in social contexts. Learning is truly embedded into a persons whole lifetime.

References
Jarvis P (2010) Adult education and lifelong learning. Theory and practice. 4th edition. New York, Routledge.

Photo: Embedded by Simon Evans (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

 

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Realization of an idea

When I´m gone I don´t want you to say… She did not live to see the realization of her dream. Not that I´m planning to leave but you never know so I think I better get on with my dream and try to create a website with the aim to support students and preceptors. After taking a nap this afternoon is suddenly became clear to me of how to tackle the task. As a wise woman I often listen to advice from my senior colleagues but today I choose not to. Paulo Coelho says it wisely:

“Dream and don´t ask too many questions, or fear will overcome your feelings“.

So I decided to follow my dream, painfully aware of the challenge. I fear my colleagues thoughts and I am prepared for comments, criticism and even jealousy. Who am I to think that I can create worthwhile content to enhance students and preceptors knowledge and skills regarding to preceptorship? Well…I am! …as an act of defiance against all odds. I get the feeling of fulfillment to give it a go. To try makes me happy and satisfied so I will strive to overcome obstacles and to do my best. I believe in the idea and my gut instinct says me it´s a good one.

Photo: Park Fantasy by skagitrenee (CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Us vs. Them

It seems like I have a mission to complete. I promised to return with feedback from a meeting – and here it is. Earlier, in April, I wrote a blog post where I used the analogue of the three musketeers. I  contacted a colleges at another institution who is teaching the same topic as I am. My colleague agreed to meet me and to talk about collaboration.

The meeting started out with me explaining why I have made contact, what my purpose of the meeting was. I found myself arguing for not having any hidden agenda, just wanting to collaborate without any demands and expectations. A very strange way of making a case. I really do, have to improve myself in these situations in the future!

Anyway, my colleague is a clever guy, and he was able to filter my bad description of the intention to collaborate. We decided to 1) establish our initiative with our leaders, to 2) invite other colleagues to a physical meeting in some weeks and to 3) set up a group on Yammer, for digital everyday connection if needed, where we can share and collaborate.

Even though we are located on different floors, Us on 4th floor and Them on 5th floor, we do think, oddly enough, that we can collaborate and be the best colleagues ever. Although, we have an entire canal (1 floor/roof) dividing us in two, I prefer to see it as we share a whole canal (1 floor/roof) and that the “scaffolding” ought to make us stronger. May the force be with us!

Photo: http://www.pixabay.com

 

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In love…!

I don´t know if it is the excitement of spring or something else but the feeling I have is pure, present and real. It is official now – I am in love!

In love with Coggle! Its usability goes beyond my wildest dreams of what a free mind map tool could be like. It is:

  • User-friendly
  • Aesthetic
  • Collaborative
  • Accessible
  • Did I say easy-to-use?

I have to restrain from using it too much. Or at least not bombarding my students with it. I could not help myself for telling them about my obsession. I told them they could easy collaborate with each other when studying for the exams (eh… lifetime). I will be seeing them in a couple of weeks from now and it will be exciting to hear about their experiences of mind mapping together. To wrap this up – Coggle has really lived up to my expectations. To be honest, I´m craving for the Awesome version!

Photo: Love by LongitudeLatitude (CC BY 2.0)

 

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