Thoughts on knowledge, learning and information...

    Yesterday's discussion group was focused around knowledge-learning and information, and great thoughts, ideas as well as personal experiences were heard from many people.
As I've mentioned while we were discussing one of the first habits I picked up from the MAPP back from Module 1 is that I keep a reflective journal of my daily actions, things I am noticing during my teaching methods, all sort of ideas and thoughts I am having during the day, incidents I observe etc.
At that point when I started doing that I didn't know that I was collecting information that I was going to find so useful along the journey of the program. Reflecting back and noticing how I have changed as a professional throughout this time, how my teaching methods have developed, and how my communication skills have switched as well as have been developed, is something I find fascinating! 
Also things I've written down have helped me in many others way such as when I'm writing down an essay, a blog, or even when I'm trying to develop my own thoughts into written words...
So! Reflective Journal is a must !!
   Another thing I kept and would like to further think and dive more into from the discussion is how as an artist and more specifically as I dance teacher, I can communicate my  knowledge with others in new ways...
Because we live in times that are constantly changing, process and evolution are ahead I should always come up with new ways to pass on knowledge to the children. But what I find tricky is that in a dance class environment you can have even 5 different types of learners in only just 1 class.
How can you be sure everyone takes in the information you are trying to give? How can you be sure you are communicating your knowledge basically the way you want?
I am constantly thinking that communication can be achieved in 2 ways: by OBSERVING-LISTENING. By becoming an observer you can learn a lot more about your own self that you can imagine...And it always so important to just be a listener, not trying to be heard all the time.
As artists we think and act all the time, by being an observer and a listener when you teach-dance,  you can gain so many useful and important experiences that may lead to discovering  new ways to communicate the knowledge you have with others.
Just brainstorming at the moment, what are your thoughts?
Maria

Beginning of Module 3!

    I personally never believed in the commonly held notion that learning and education is only for children and young adults.
Education doesn't stop after high school and after a university degree, everyone should be open to it so a big circle of lifelong learning can be achieved during the lifespan.
Someone who keeps acquiring new skills and capabilities can develop an open mind, positive attitude about all the dynamics in the world, thus will achieve personal development alongside personal successful career paths!
If you can achieve being a lifelong learner and look for opportunities to expand knowledge and general understanding, curiosity and this new mindset can invite new possibilities in the future ahead...
Looking back to all the previous Modules I can see that a big part of my personal learning gain besides all the reading and researching, came from that communication with other practitioners, and from hearing other people’s opinions, views and thoughts in relation to the dance pedagogy field.
As Steven Spielberg said "When  you listen you learn. You absorb like a sponge and your life becomes so much better than when you are just trying to be listened to all the time."

So looking forward to starting Module 3 expanding and sharing my learning through this amazing journey ahead.

Wishing everyone a great term!
Maria