translating

In today Skype session, we talked about our Review of Prior Learning. When Adesola explained that a big part of Module One and the Review of Prior Learning is about translating our Practice or our Experience into academic language, it made me reflect on the role that the act of translating plays in learning, but also in our every day teaching practice.

Translation is not only a one to one conversion of something to another form or language, according to Temple and Young (Temple and Young 2014) with each act of translation there is inevitably also an act of interpretation. (So the translator is an active part of the process of translating.)

Working on the AOLs and trying to translate some of my learning from experience into words, I realise how many interpretational possibilities there are and how they shift, with each new piece of information. Reading, talking or listening to some body, or watching some body dance, all opens a new way of looking at things, a new frame of reference, which will then influence upon the translation. So the act of translating itself can be a useful tool to stimulate learning.

I often feel, when I have attended a great workshop or lecture, or have been part of an inspiring discussion, that I learn something from that experience, but then when I have to "translate" it into practice, implementing it in class, making it accessible to my students, there is actually even more learning happening, or more depth added to my learning experience and understanding, through going through the process of translating it. Especially, when you want to share it with different groups of people (adult learners vs. children or professionals).

Starting this MAPPjourney, I was struggling with the relationship between theory and practice, in my mind they were two separate things, todays Skype Session made me realise, that through the process of translation I can weave them together, making them feed into each other. It offers you the possibility to learn by translating your practice into academic language, but also by translating academic knowledge back into your practice.

dialogue

It was nice to meet the new "Mappers" and hear back from others that continue their MAPP journey, in todays Skype session. We have talked about how exciting and overwhelming it can be, to embark on a new journey or any new endeavour.
I appreciate these Skype sessions a lot (even though during the actual Skype Conversation I often feel quite insecure and awkward and have the feeling, that I cannot articulate myself clearly). It createss a space for dialogue and is a great way to connect to fellow Mappers. It opens your mind to new ways of looking at things and is always a source of new questions to explore.
This makes me think about dialogue and what a wonderful tool dialogue can be within the field of learning and teaching.

The ancient definition of dialogue is (dia logos) "flow of meaning". And David Bohm said about Dialogue that it brings people together to learn about individual perceptions and their sources. It expands understanding by being given the opportunity to see through the lens of other peoples opinions. In this process, our relationship with others are explored, allowing us to delve more deeply into our own nature.

So there is no right or wrong in dialogue. For me dialogue is about searching and exploring together and feeding off of each other, without having to embrace somebody else view completely or forcing your own opinion or worldview on others.

As a teacher, I'm also more and more interested to look into ways, how I can encourage dialogue in class. I feel it gives me insight on where my students are in their learning journey and the possibility to look for constructive ways to accompany them in their learning process. And also to encourage ways to enter in Dialogue with your own body. By not only "telling" your body what to do, but also taking the time to listen.

I feel there is so much more to explore about Dialogue in its relationship to learning and teaching. And I'm looking forward to "dialoguing" with all of you some more in the months to come!