For my first real assignment of the school year,
I set out to do something a little unclear.
A blog post for a university class you might ask?
Yes family, friends and Professor, this is my task!
Combining my social and academic lives is the key,
Keep reading along and this shall come to be.
My learning should see some improvement,
If, along with books, I throw in some movement.
Learning in Outdoor Education is the class,
I'm hoping this poem will receive, at least, a pass!
We set out on a trip to Royal National Park,
Experiential Learning is for what we did embark.
What is this term that she talks about?
It was pioneered by Dewey, that's without a doubt.
The combination of behaviour and cognition play their part,
A holistic educational process is where the theory starts (Dewey, 1897).
It differs from behavioural and cognitive views,
But combines different parts so you don't have to choose (Kolb, 1984).
This approach emphasizes the process of learning,
Sticking just to the outcomes seems too disconcerting (Kolb, 1984).
Learning cycles have been hypothesized,
Although there are many, it is Kolb's that is prized.
Experience, reflection. abstraction and experimentation,
Were the stages he found to be learning's foundation.
Why not just talk about hiking in lecture?
The answer I give you is no mere conjecture.
Continuity and interaction are essential,
For every student to reach full potential (Dewey, 1897).
Because of this we hit the outdoors,
Learning through doing and thinking, we explore.
This National Park has a special fun fact,
As the second oldest in the world, it is sure to attract.
Those from the city can come rather quick,
Under an hour away from Syndey's Central Business District.
For this long walk Joel was our guide,
Team One hit the trail with him by our side.
Although he was there, he hung on the flank,
Letting us forge the way, making sure that we drank.
We each took turns acting as the lead,
Of course this was something to which I agreed.
This was a chance for education as learner-driven,
Making Dewey proud, for him this was a given (Ord, 2011).
I like to figuratively act as the head,
But being in charge on a hike is different, maps can be misread.
When literally walking at the front of the pack,
With every other group member at my back,
I really did feel like I was in control,
It gave me a new perspective on this head role.
After taking part in this endeavour,
My leading style may be altered forever.
Between beaches, bushes and cliffs,
And views that went something like this;
Some time was spent in quiet reflection,
It's not often we get time for introspection.
An analysis of our everyday lives, technology, motivation,
And that never ending material fixation.
I found myself wanting to clear my mind,
To leave the entire world behind.
The time for both reflection and peace,
Is something that I think we need to increase.
Meditation as a practice should happen more,
And this task is one that I wish to further explore.
Perhaps learning and living could be greatly improved,
If trying this out was a direction in which education moved.
Back to Dewey I will go,
When, as a teacher, I look to grow.
Understanding of student's knowledge and involvements,
Will help to shape the next learning ascent (Ord, 2011).
My role is critical, this I have gathered,
Information is not something that can just be slathered.
You learn by doing and participating,
It's not the tests you should be anticipating.
As a group, on this hike, most things became clear,
As learnings from lecture began to appear.
From rocky terrain to a high cliff edge,
A bodies length away became more like a pledge!
We learned how much water we consume on a 7 Km hike,
And next time we set out we'll be sure not to pack H2O light!
Sunscreen in a must,
But to this no one fussed.
Bring food that is filling and garbage-less,
This granola bar recipe was quite a success.
When I look out and see something like this,
My whole body gets filled with a certain kind of bliss;
There is so much to explore and see and do,
If you can do this through school, how could you ever be blue!
Raw experience can be moulded to a student's benefit,
Facilitated thinking, when added, will help things to stick.
It is said that reflection should bookend any learning (Kolb 1984),
to finish without this practice would be disconcerting.
My group set out to complete this tradition,
Reviewing the day in one word is how it came to fruition;
The Blue Mountains journey lies ahead of us now,
More experiential learning is what it will allow.
I spoke before of things building on each other,
Continuous learning means there is always another.
Until then, each morning, I will walk out the door,
With new ways of thinking and teaching to explore.
When I know that experience is where I am leaning,
My learnings in class will take on such new meaning.
And for you, my dear readers, I thank you so much,
1000 words was the rule, I hope I gave them a nice touch.
But take away this, if you think nothing else will stick,
Move your learning and living outdoors, trust me it'll do the trick!
Dewey, John (1897) 'My pedagogic creed', The School Journal, Volume LIV, Number 3
(January 16, 1897), pps 77-80.
James, N. (2010, November 14). Experiential Learning Cycles. Wilderdom.
Retrieved March 24, 2013, from
http://wilderdom.com/experiential/elc/ExperientialLearningCycle.htm
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the source of learning and
development.New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Ord, J., & Leather, M. (2011). The substance beneath the labels of experiential learning: The
importance of john dewey for outdoor educators. Australian Journal of Outdoor
Education, 15(2), 13-23. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.library.usyd.edu.au/login?
url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1010412780?accountid=14757
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