How physical movement can assist learning and
change when reviewing.
WORKSHOP OUTLINE
Starting point:
If people retreat to a
'comfort zone' during the reviewing process (e.g. by sitting in the same chair
all the time) it can seem as if they are stuck in the same place - physically
and mentally. Physical movement can assist mental movement.
Ideas to explore:
- making reviewing a physical journey as well as a mental
journey
- applying the concept of the 'stretch zone' to the reviewing
process itself
- making a journey (on land or water) that supports mental
reviewing processes
- using a physical language of space and movement that reflects
the language we use
(e.g. ups and downs for emotions, standing on an issue,
feeling in or out of a group, being pulled in different directions,
experiencing force fields in a physical way, juggling, balancing
...)
Active experimentation:You will be
encouraged to explore these and other possibilities in active ways in order to
generate a physical language that intuitively makes sense to learners. This
workshop is a mixture of old and new ideas, my ideas and your ideas. I would
love to learn about any research or practice that helps to build this physical
language.
NOTES
Space: A businessman has for many years
walked his dog in the countryside as a way to recover from the stresses of work
and sort out his thoughts. Restrictions on access to the countryside (during the
foot and mouth disease epidemic) have been limiting his physical and mental
movement. For mental space he needs physical space.
Gestures: Don't be embarrassed smiling,
frowning and making gestures while talking on the phone. The other person can't
see your smiles, frowns and gestures - but you think more clearly and express
yourself more clearly when your mind, voice and body are working together in a
co-ordinated way. Who says the other person can't see your smile anyway? Try
sounding happy when you are frowning. Try sounding miserable when you are
smiling.
Walking: On television news people are
shown walking before we see their talking heads. News reporters are often shown
walking towards the camera as they talk. Why? Perhaps we are better at taking in
information from talking heads when they are on moving bodies? Perhaps it is
easier for people to communicate when they are walking and
talking?
Frozen: Picture a course participant sat
in a chair, leaning back from the group, legs crossed, arms crossed, eyes
crossed and frowning. Is there any chance that they are open to listening or
open to learning?
Unfrozen: Picture another course
participant, leaning forwards, on their toes, eyes and body moving to follow the
conversation, head nodding, looking open and relaxed. They are clearly more
engaged and more open to learning.
Body Language: Everyone can read body
language. What about 'writing' body language? How can we get people to move in
ways that help them communicate and learn? Can we develop physical 'languages'
that improve the speed, quality and ease of communication and learning? Let's
get moving!
