Recipe for learning: Discourse, Reflect, Rinse, Repeat.
Notice: Discoursing will begin immediately!
Harasim defines knowledge communities as “forums or processes of discourse and debate, whereby scholars advance the state of the art in that discipline” (2012, p. 6). Merriam-Webster defines discourse as “the use of words to exchange thoughts and ideas” (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discourse). Perhaps the practice of discoursing is the underpinning of a “think tank.” While I am quite fond of my own company, I have witnessed the synergy of idea development while working with others. I routinely work with 3-5 similarly-minded clinicians on multiple projects simultaneously (where we each are primarily responsible for one, but we all contribute to all projects). We each end up with five national presentations and publications, but only have primary responsibility for one project.
How many times have you gone to a national meeting in your field of expertise and come away thinking the best part was networking with colleagues? That’s discoursing!
Perhaps if Rodin’s “Thinker” (above) had a few buddies with him, he would have made a little more progress.
Salvation through rumination!
But wait – perhaps Rodin’s “Thinker” above is reflecting or ruminating! Which surely can be a solitary activity! As a matter of fact, I do my VERY best reflecting in the shower or when I’m driving. Probably because I’m not doing anything else like talking on the phone, playing Candy Crush on my cell, teaching, reading, or checking email. At my University there is an amazing, complex rubric for categorizing and quantifying faculty effort for everything we do. Teaching, teaching preparation, precepting students, research, preparing manuscripts, service to the School, University or profession, and practice. But there is NO time allocated for thinking or reflecting. Does this mean time spent reflecting on the aforementioned efforts is not valued or worthwhile? Surely that’s not the case, but it is a bit disheartening! I guess the only answer is longer showers!
Recipe for learning: Discourse, Reflect, Rinse, Repeat.
Ref: Harasim, L. (2012). Learning theory and online technologies. New York, NY: Routledge.
Notice: Discoursing will begin immediately!
Harasim defines knowledge communities as “forums or processes of discourse and debate, whereby scholars advance the state of the art in that discipline” (2012, p. 6). Merriam-Webster defines discourse as “the use of words to exchange thoughts and ideas” (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discourse). Perhaps the practice of discoursing is the underpinning of a “think tank.” While I am quite fond of my own company, I have witnessed the synergy of idea development while working with others. I routinely work with 3-5 similarly-minded clinicians on multiple projects simultaneously (where we each are primarily responsible for one, but we all contribute to all projects). We each end up with five national presentations and publications, but only have primary responsibility for one project.
How many times have you gone to a national meeting in your field of expertise and come away thinking the best part was networking with colleagues? That’s discoursing!
Perhaps if Rodin’s “Thinker” (above) had a few buddies with him, he would have made a little more progress.
Salvation through rumination!
But wait – perhaps Rodin’s “Thinker” above is reflecting or ruminating! Which surely can be a solitary activity! As a matter of fact, I do my VERY best reflecting in the shower or when I’m driving. Probably because I’m not doing anything else like talking on the phone, playing Candy Crush on my cell, teaching, reading, or checking email. At my University there is an amazing, complex rubric for categorizing and quantifying faculty effort for everything we do. Teaching, teaching preparation, precepting students, research, preparing manuscripts, service to the School, University or profession, and practice. But there is NO time allocated for thinking or reflecting. Does this mean time spent reflecting on the aforementioned efforts is not valued or worthwhile? Surely that’s not the case, but it is a bit disheartening! I guess the only answer is longer showers!
Recipe for learning: Discourse, Reflect, Rinse, Repeat.
Ref: Harasim, L. (2012). Learning theory and online technologies. New York, NY: Routledge.