Task 2b: Journal writing experience

With regards to task 2b, I decided to try and log 9 different days/experiences/questions I came across using the 9 suggested methods of writing...

Description AND Initial Reflection

I know that on the guidelines these are categorised in to two separate methods, yet I found that I struggled to separate them, without coming across as vague or matter of fact (definitely not my usual style, but I’m sure there is no right or wrong, and in some future cases this could be what I and my journal needs?).
I would say that these are the main two ways in which people construct their journals and produce their 'evidence', like myself so I guess it was about breaking a habitual form. For instance I will always state the time and place, the event or experience I was living (in non-emotive form) and the development of the day. Alongside this I would always 'initially reflect’, I would insert declarations of my feelings, my expectations/summaries of the events, layout my mood and mind set and how perhaps this could have influenced the day or the route in which I led myself through the experience.
Looking back on this particular day, I spilt the methods back in to the two headings. In doing this I found that the description gave me the outer body or view of an outside eye looking at me in my experience...this gave me a more balanced review of my day and let me look deeper into what was actually being encountered with the freedom of not having the impressions of said emotions guiding me to one particular mind set or opinion.
''To reread the journal is to see oneself seeing'' (Grumet, M, 1990, Retrospective- autobiography and the analysis of educational experience. taken from the book 'Learning Journal' Moon, J)
 The description made me relive with fresh 'eyes' to re-discover the feelings to a heightened level than for instance just reading my explanations. I could see myself seeing and feeling!


Lists

I have used this method previously, in those moments where there is little time to go into depth so simply bulleting words, thoughts and small images for later expansion can become useful. I can’t imagine using this method as a sole entry without further thought/reflection… maybe just as a starting point, an impulse method laid down for further indulgence when I have the time, energy and enthusiasm to revisit.
If ‘lists’ were used for sole method of journal writing, I would imagine it would be of bare minimum detail or perhaps a lower base level of emotional attachment/ connection. Maybe this can be good in some cases too? Has this worked well for anyone as yet?

I live by lists; ‘to do lists’, ‘don’t forget’ lists, ideas lists, but having said that I always intend to expand on such notes. For me I found this as a tool to capture a train of thought or stream of ideas before something else quickly took their place in my mind, therefore losing some potential ‘sparks’ of inspiration.
I feel I should experiment and see what would happen if I reflect upon the lists, and the lists alone….no further added descriptions or generation of further thoughts.

Evaluation

I added this concept to a day I had already written about (using the typical ‘Hayley’ style, of description and initial reflection). This reflective process in a way forced me to question my findings from the day’s experience. I think that the posed questions; ‘what went well/ what worked? Did you learn anything, discover anything, and notice things to avoid?’  are ideal in making me become accustomed to and used to going that little bit further in my reflection process, going that layer deeper.
By noting down specific happenings and my personal connections towards them, and looking further into the observations that I have made, I feel I have a better understanding of my practice and the ways in which I work and create. The reflection, unlike in other areas of journal writing made me feel that I was in the driving seat with the control there at my fingertips, a ripened view of reflection (opposed to it happening instantaneously/ subconsciously).
I think that this way will definitely aid me and my discovery of self-analysis and reflection, as already I have put into practice some ideas and strategic ways of thinking that this method brought about.
The evaluation is a guidance of a ‘young’ reflective practitioner into hopefully a ‘mature’ and successful one. Watch this space!!

Graphs, Charts and Diagrams.

With this particular set of methodical/data journaling, I began to think that maybe it would not really assist me in my line of work. I could not imagine charting some thoughts or ideas in such a ‘mathematical’ figure.  I suppose in the realms of teaching, these could be of use, say to monitor or display the progress of the class, and or my approaches that I may use to achieve targets?

Looking at ALL aspects of work that perhaps I mention in journals, I guess that there are few places where I do actually, in some form, chart my information. My budget and pay for example, or my fitness regimes where I create timetables for ‘stamina vs. technique’ (for instance gym and fitness training vs. the dance technique classes such as ballet) laying out the information does make it an easier format to understand and see where possible comparisons can be made from time to time. 

Well to say that I don’t think it would be useful, I think I may have just proved myself wrong?

Do any of you find success within charting or using diagrams/graphs in your discovery to who you are or becoming in the professional practice?

What if?

 What would I love to happen? What would I hate to happen? What could have happened?

This I imagine is a smaller aspect that I can apply to my journal …maybe as a last thought or even a fore thought to my day? To evaluate and discover other possible outcomes of the experience was really interesting, it let my imagination and desire, and fear or protection of myself become expressive.  Acknowledging such possibilities made me go on the following day with a sense of ‘maybe I can achieve more’, I guess it gave me an extra drive or motivation to go that extra mile...what would I love to have happened?

The questions I see also as a preparation technique. I looked at the concept of formulation within a plan where I would seek out all eventualities and identify any possible problems that I would wish to avoid, thus being proactive in a hope to erase the possibility of coming across ‘what I would hate to happen’.  

This forward preparation however lead to the lesser chance of ‘reflection in action’ to occur, with the unexpected happening. I began to think, would this make you feel more secure and confident or maybe less challenged? I shall have to put this in to practice on those unpredictable days in order to gain a more conclusive view if this could work for me.

Another view

I haven’t actually had much enthusiasm to attempt this as yet. I am becoming aware these days that I must be in a comfortable mind frame in order to let my guard down and be less resistant to new ways of learning and achieving tasks (both with in BAPP, my social/ private life and within my practice). I do know that I need to open myself up more…saying that I shall have a go at this technique tomorrow….through the eyes and mind of my water bottle!!!!! (oh my!!)