Blogging/becoming/being still to become...
It's not beginnings and endings that count, but middles. Things and thoughts advance or grow out from the middle, that's where you have to get to work, that's where everything unfolds. (Deleuze 1995: 161)
This webfolio will consider and showcase the stories and development of critical reflective practitioners within a community of practice (Lave and Wenger 1991, Wenger et al 2005) of pre-service teachers utilising the blogging tool within an eportfolio. The case study will focus upon the eliteracies and narratives within a group of new teachers and their use of a weblog as a transformational storying and learning space.
And because the stories were held here in fluid form, they retained the ability to change, to become new versions of themselves, to join up with other stories and so become yet other stories. (Rushdie 1990: 73)
Through a scaffolded critical pedagogy lens the possibilities created for digital storytelling and pedagogic conversations within this learning landscape it is suggested may produce teacher and learner critical subjects and authors.
Blogs, as web communication tools, and community landscapes are well established. However, their use as a technology and educational learning space within professional programmes such as Teacher Education for the post-compulsory sector within the United Kingdom is under theorised and under examined. This webfolio will contribute to this debate by considering how a reflective community may be created, fostered and exploited.
Look before you leap is criticism's motto. Leap before you look is creativity's. (E.M.Forster 1951)
On risk taking, speeding journeys and exciting digital literacies: metaphor, music and image. Wenger et al’s (2005: 1) recent work focuses upon ‘communities… and the technologies they use to create a sense of togetherness.’ This work offers an interesting and important extension of the community model by exploring how communities and technologies may shape each other. Following Wenger leads us to question explicitly the role of the technology, the ePortfolio and weblog, as fostering and supporting the community and their reflective practices in transition from University to the workplace.
My journeys and narratives of becoming an ePortfolio learner and teacher have quite literally been wonderfully terrible, or maybe terribly wonderful? You can share the journey here.
Posted by: Julie Hughes on 06 March 2006 09:04
Monday morning - how might this image/these colours encourage and support our reflections?
What are you reflecting upon at the moment? Why?
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Posted by: Tess Mcdonald on 06 March 2006 09:29
Looking at the picture makes my head spin a little, reflectivly I'm a little mixed up just like the picture, theres a peice of me here and a peice of me there, not In a negative way, but lots of directions to go off in, too many choices and I'm not very good at making my mind up. My career comes to mind when I'm looking at the picture, however the colours are positive Blue for communication so I must talk about my choices, pink and green are the heart 'chakra' colours, growth and mother earth so it's a fresh start but where do I start?
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Posted by: Julie Hughes on 06 March 2006 09:56
Spinning is a useful metaphor Tess - it sounds like you are not uncomfortable in this 'disorientating dilemma', which many theorists see as an important starting point for reflection, and it seems to be opening different avenues for reflection - ie - career
Where do you start?
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Posted by: Mark Mcdonald on 06 March 2006 10:12
Wow ….its funny that you have used this imagery with it’s vibrate colours/ clever use of perspective / and sense of movement being portrayed.
Today in my lesson I’ve asked the group to explore how the rules of perspective can help use create a structure in space purely looking at linear form and how rules / theory / order can relate to each other…..so last night that’s all I thought about and had this sort of visual imagery already in my mind….how weird !
To me its saying movement and order ! we’re governed by a set of rules ( mechanical rules of perspective ) so comply and jump through the hoops to achieve our goals, but the colours also suggest light / prisms / refraction or is it reflection !…this imagery could be been seen as refraction / reflection. Light enters a prism and comes out differently, we’ve entered this reflective thought processes and appear differently to others. ( Julie once said a different Mark was seen in the classroom today )
The rules are different when it comes to reflection there are none….its about self discovery but there is still sense of reality or is it geometry ( natural set of rules applying to form ) The movement suggests rotation / spinning but I sense a growing / changing....the colours are expanding so see and feel all kinds of emotions because it s about expansion / movement / change of direction
See ya later guys
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Posted by: Julie Hughes on 06 March 2006 10:23
So if it's about constant change is this a still image of a kaleidoscope? Are you prepared for constant change?
http://www.permadi.com/java/spaint/spaint.html - check this out
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Posted by: Mark Mcdonald on 06 March 2006 10:58
I know I'm after change because thats why I am on the course...the way i see myself these days is very different to the Mark that started the course. More importantly I suppose its the way others see us being the teachers (centre of focus) I do want to change / grow / develop so at times very hard on myself....but I do want to be the best teacher / Influence that I can be.
Happy with the person that I am and growing into moment but have always being looking, that door was never quite open for me, walk / pass through ( always slighly open /ajar ) never really being totally content...I think this journey / development / change of direction is right for me ! ( I hope so ).....strange thing is I've not concerned about finding work, just focused on the job at hand.
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Posted by: Mark Mcdonald on 06 March 2006 11:10
Hello again...must start stuff
Just checked out the web site ! how good is that....could play with it for hours. Constant change is an absolute must I suppose being the practitioners that we are. I'm doing it again I must get on with other stuff and leave this blogg alone....well until later anyway.
Mark ( much prefer writng in our blogg to assignments....give me a blogg any day of the week )
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Posted by: Tess Mcdonald on 06 March 2006 19:57
10 years ago the thought of change would make me close in really tight and I'd feel the need to hide away. why? I was comfortable. Isn't ingnorance bliss? Like you Mark, I am so different to what I was last September and I thought I'd changed before that, but the signs are obvious now, I actually like change, before I was frightened of it, now I relish it, the thought of becoming content with what I have now frightens me.
It's not about me anymore is it? Reflectivly, I have had to wear my skin inside out and that has been so painful. Why does reflection have to be so painful? I was a good person before I started wasn't I? Now I realise It's not about being good or bad, but looking further than the end of my nose.
Again like you Mark I want to be a good teacher and I do believe once we are prepared to look into and bare our souls, we can become good teachers, because that is what we do. (we jump out that plane not knowing if your parachute will open) A jump of faith really isn't it?
I looked at the website with the 'kaleidoscope' I think it is very apt for reflection, I always thought reflection would be a pretty picture of my life how wrong was I? we don't know what the next picture will form just like reflection, and sometimes the speed the patterns change can confuse us and become almost nauseating and disorientating.
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Posted by: Liander Taylor on 06 March 2006 21:28
Although the prism is very colourful and a little confusing, I see distinct patterns that draw me to look deeper. This is very much how I feel right now as I am confused, a little disheartened but the colours depict the refreshment that teaching gives me. I also see parts of the prism as a jigsaw and see pieces that are missing, again this is a current reflection of how I feel parts of my study are evolving.
Hmm did make me reflect though
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Posted by: Julie Hughes on 06 March 2006 21:42
THis is where I wish that this was synchronous at times because I don't know that you're here Liander until I refresh - I think that it's wonderful that your teaching is the nourishing refreshment - this is very telling in terms of your development - so the study will always be incomplete - is that a bad thing? Confusion, always missing bits of the jigsaw - I can go with (can you?) but disheartened troubles me - is there anything that we the community can do?
glad it made you reflect
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Posted by: Julie Hughes on 06 March 2006 21:37
I love the reflection that this prism and kaleidoscope has effected - but I'm wondering where the rest of you are in this debate? (I know, I know - planning, Units 5/6, lit review, statement of intent) OK -I'm struggling because I can't be on here tomorrow and I'll miss you all - but what did Mark and Tess find here that others didn't yet?
OK - do I provide more visual and literary prompts for reflection because I like visuals/poems and metaphors?
if this is true - what other prompts should I be providing?
am i giving you enough ways in to reflection? - be honest, please, it will help me in my development and facilitation of your reflection - if not suggestions gratefully received (you can make your comments private if you want)
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Posted by: Mark Mcdonald on 07 March 2006 10:25
Hi ya guys
Tess...There is a change afoot !
Where are you all? that image must of made you feel something, provoked emotions/reflective thoughts...come on Blogg away, put that assignment down for 5 mins.
Just dangling that carrot, its going to kill Julie not using/responding to our Blogg ! carrot carrot dangle dangle chatter dangle carrot! ( somebody buy me a big spoon )lets all reply because we CAN.... nerh nerh nerh na na
( no using the BLOGG Julie because I know your watching )
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Posted by: Mandy Staunton on 08 March 2006 09:18
When I first looked at the image my first reaction was to look away it was loud and bright, garish. But after making myself look again I started to notice all the different colours and how there is a pattern to all the madness. It is confusing and scary in a sort of way maybe I am reflecting in to it how I am feeling at the moment. When looking at the colours changing reminds me of what I put in my journal about how my emotions can change from one lesson to the next. One day you can be happy and pleased that the lesson has gone well, then the next you come out of the lesson totally drained with no energy. It is scary how it can change so much. Sometimes the image is clear, you know that this is for you. Then there are colours that are not clear and are blurred, suddenly you are not so sure any more. Looking at the image again I realise that it is a continual circle that continues from clear colours then onto blurred. Just like teaching there will be the clear moments when every thing is great you are happy with life and yourself, then there are the moments when you are doubting yourself and asking the questions over and over again ‘what am I doing wrong?’
, and I look forward to seeing you all on Thursday. 
Julie, you mentioned about the image being a still shot of a kaleidoscope. With a kaleidoscope you turn it in one direction and you will get a totally different image and then turn it again you will see another image. When reflecting I can see things, such as teaching or any problems I have or even life itself in a whole new light. The relection of light on the colours in the image changes what you see. One day you may only see the happy colours that lift your mood depending on which way the light is reflecting, then another the colours are all blurred, and confusing and you have to look away. I ask myself would I be happy if all there were was bright happy colours, or do I need to have the blurred colours. The blurred colours help chanllege me, make me see different ways of being able to do or solve any problems there might be.
I read back what I have just wrote and I think to myself did I just write that. I cannot believe this is me, when I think back to when we first started, I realise how much I have changed in many different ways. This is through sharing with all you guys and learning how you all have coped with all your problems it does help to see thing from another perspective.
I want to thank you all
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Posted by: Mark Mcdonald on 07 March 2006 18:39
Hi ya Mandy
When we deal / see things for the first time we unconsciously sense whether we like / dislike but through reflection we know better or wait that little longer before passing judgement….the Kaleidoscope / Prism means movement and light (enlightenment ), growth and change, expansion ,spinning or confusion.
Perceptions of this image mirror the differences we have in our reflections but we all have those initial preconceptions of others and situations that make us feel low / hurt ….we now challenge these initial thoughts and apprehensions because we are striving to be practitioners / better teachers. You took a second look and saw something different ! ( pardon the Stars Wars pun ) the “ force is strong with you “ well done Mandy !
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Posted by: Tess Mcdonald on 08 March 2006 15:20
Mandy do you think, when you say you see different pictures/lights from one movement to the next it gives you an air of control? and you can choose which ever suits the 'you' when you look at it. It's similar to the coloured hats don't you think? I think, we need all the colours even the mucky ones, because there has to be a balance and of course we are all different. Using the images into the classroom 'feelings' is very good, because things are never quite black or white are they?
I feel colours, emotions and reflection go hand in hand. They all make you feel.
Julie I'm all for the pictures when it comes to reflection, because it suits my style understanding and of course I don't have to get out the dictionary.
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Posted by: Julie Hughes on 09 March 2006 00:13
mmmm - deliberately stayed out because I'm enjoying observing you.
Interesting that you call to/refer to me.
Are you writing for me/yourself/each other?
PS can't sleep
PPS I feel colours - do you?
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Posted by: EMMA PURNELL on 09 March 2006 20:46
The first thing I felt when I looked at the image was a spooky trip back to my childhood as I was always fascinated by those toy kaleidoscope telescopes, I'd look through it for ages but then it would make me a bit dizzy. Its a bit like that for me now, reflecting on thoughts, feelings, fears and what the future holds makes me feel dizzy at times. Also, is it just me or does it look like a butterfly?
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Posted by: Tess Mcdonald on 11 March 2006 20:22
Em yes! it does as long as you look quickly because once the picture has your focus it pulls you in, and you lose the butterfly, then thats when it plays tricks with your vision. Colours do that don't they? I love colours they say much about you/ a person without you/them having to speak. I think its all done psychosomatically.
When I was at school I had this really horrible brown uniform and I had to wear this every day for years, it wasn't uncomfortable to wear it was just a nasty dirty brown colour I couldn't be myself in that colour it made me be 'Teresa' the school kid and not 'Tess' the free spirit. I feel colours have a certian amount of 'invisible' control over me and I like that.
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Posted by: EMMA PURNELL on 11 March 2006 17:28
To carry on from where you were saying about your uniform, I noticed when I was doing the washing that I have acquired a multitude of dark work clothes, I rarely, rarely buy any black clothes, even when I work at McDonald's I only wear white shirts and not the grey or blue, yet on Mondays and Tuesdays at placement its dark attire all the way, its weird. Where have I got the perception that I need serious coloured clothes for my new line of work? or is it maybe that I think I stand out less if I wear dark stuff? Does it even matter?
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Posted by: EMMA PURNELL on 11 March 2006 17:26
Tess I'm glad you saw the butterfly too. Does anyone remember those magic eye pictures that were all the rage at one time? They were like a picture made up of loads of dots that always had a hidden picture that only the gifted few could see. I think seeing a butterfly in the prism is a bit like that, Perhaps parts of teaching will be a bit like the hidden image in a magic eye picture, we will stare at it, look at it from every angle, be confused by it but refuse to give up trying to do it, we will get other people to look at it and try and show us where it is and how to see it and all the time trying really hard to make sense of it and see it for ourselves, then sometimes a moment of clarity and euphoria when we actually see the hidden image and we move on to the next harder picture because now we know how to do it.
Does that make any sort of sense? As you can probably tell I spent alot of time trying to see magic eye pictures in my youth whereas some people had a natural abilty to see them straight away which I always found highly unfair obviously! but having to work hard to accomplish stuff can often more rewarding than having natural flair (tho I'm sure a younger me may have disagreed with that)
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Posted by: Tess Mcdonald on 11 March 2006 20:50
It does make sense, Em like you I could never see the magic eye pictures, it didn't matter how long I looked at it, in fact if I starred too long I got my own pictures nothing to do with what was actually there. Thats the problem of having such a vivid imagination. I don't think any thing I have done has ever come easy, but that creates a challenge and a lot of challenges come our way in teaching. I want to be able to feel the gratification of having succeeded in something, you know that feel good factor.
You say you choose dark colours for work, do you think it is because dark colours are of a serious nature? do you want to be taken seriously? Dark colours actually make you stand out,they are quite powerful and authorative colours to be taken seriously, like policemen, priests, etc, but they also hide a multitude of sins what do you think?
I know your favourite colour is yellow so do you think by not wearing your favourite colour the real you isn't there and that Brookfields imposter' is sneaking in when you power dress? to make you feel safe hiding behind those dark colours.
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Posted by: Mark Mcdonald on 12 March 2006 18:44
I never saw the butterfly....beautiful, I needed to look a little deeper
Thanks guys
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Posted by: Jennifer Woodhams on 12 March 2006 21:18
Well I think I was the worst at magic eye pictures, maybe I was too impatient to sit there long enough!
I'm not an image person really, I sometimes the pictures get in the way of the words if that makes sense? I know they say a picture says a thousand words but I get it is how you interpret the picture as to what it says, at least with words its fairly black and white?
I;m not a huge fan of the psychedelic colours of the prism, although unlike Em I tend to wear brighter colours for my teaching, to me bright colours reflect confidence - whether i have that confidence is another thing so perhaps I am trying to hide behind the bright colours in order to make my students think i am something that I am not. It has not really been until the start of my "new life" that I have thought about what I wear. Even working with the public so much in my other job I wore a suit the majority of the time so didn't have to think about what to wear, prehaps I already had the confidence and didn't feel that the clothes I wore reflected how I was feeling. Getting dressed takes a lot more time nowadays!
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