The first two weeks of the new term

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Sunday’s group discussion really touched on a lot of areas that sparked off our thoughts and standings. It elated and inspired me to feel more connected with the group to be discussing topics that we have to consider every day in some way or another and it was so interesting to hear everyone's views. I feel it is important to stand by what we believe works best in our practices but at the same time, remain open minded to new possibilities and approach circumstances/situations with deeper thought and maybe even try out a new different direction.

I personally believe that observing recordings of myself helps me to strive for an improved performance, I don't really like watching myself but I feel it is an essential action.  I like to feel my artistic expressions and I think this is why in class a mixture of mirror and non-mirror teaching adds value and also helps to direct the students towards expressing their feelings and emotions without a visualization of them.  Videoing students is also a valuable process as a teaching aid, however this needs to be handled with sensitivity, being aware that drawing on both the positive as well as the constructive (negative) feedback has equal importance. 

Over the past two weeks or so, I have tried to spend as much time as I possibly could reading blogs, watching tutorial videos, reading the module handbook and making notes on all the information I've gathered to try and gain a better understanding of the direction, plan and goal for this term.  I believe that slowly my brain is absorbing all the information that I have given it.  The other day, I felt that a small lightbulb had been switched on and I felt a surge of excitement instead of fear! 

The tutorial session with senior writing lecturer at Middlesex university, Peter Thomas, today was so full of helpful information and clarified a lot of areas that I know I struggled with at the start of this MA but thankfully now seem clearer and make much more sense after going through and completing module one. As creative people, it's an adjustment to put our observations and reflections onto paper but I found that by contextualising them through the process of writing, those skills that I have developed through the experiences of my practice were revealed and provided me with the confidence to continue their development into the next stage.

I am working on being more patient with myself, trying to ensure that I am fully absorbing the whole picture, giving myself more time to plan and prepare before surging ahead with an idea that then falls flat.  I certainly feel that I have gained  more confidence in my ability along with a better understanding of how to plan and prepare ready for the research, reviews and the reflections of module two.  I have now started to delve into the area of my practice that I would like to research further and I am excited to do discover how it will extend and develop my knowledge onto the next level.  I believe that learning is a continuous journey that has no end, the feeling of being inspired and invigorated to keep accumulating new knowledge and the continuation of its development. 


"The more I enlarge the island of my knowledge, the more I enlarge the shoreline of my wonder."
Isaac Newton 




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