Designing my Learning Review project
Project and OP design
The purpose of this page is to walk you through the design process of this Project and OP. The page contains best practices of writing a learning review, my OP outline and my design framework and methods.
Context: During this process of design in Dec-Jan (2013-2014) I was living with a community called UNO on the Caribbean beach in Tulum, Mexico. The context of community added much to my reflection on my year.
I started early on with simple reflection on my year. As I was reflecting I looked into what design framework I would use. I considering many (see my design tools page). None of the models I have articulated the process the way I imagined it. I created my own (image above in the right column), I decided to use the elements deconstruct/reconstruct from the Orientation (see Supporting evidence right column). I then started looking at fellow associates Learning reviews. The RSS bookmark feed below is of the LRs I read and considered for best practices.
The first of which (Ava - Learning Review Context) is a explanatory template that Ava Klinger created (which now appears to be locked). I saw many important points and decided to deconstruct-reconstruct it by creating the mindmap (seen below) and then I wrote my OP5 outline (below map).
I have found the method of prototyping projects very useful as a patterns level foundation work. During this foundation work I continued to reflect on my path, I had meetings on the prospects of accelerating my program with Jennifer English and my advisor Saskia (see participation records right column). These meetings gave me more considerations for this OP, as it is a key transition piece that should show my preparedness to move onto a capstone (final year) in my B. AS program.
The reflection process continued as I started digging through all my documentation. I revisited all my orientation documents and compiled them in to a single PDF (see supporting evidence left column). By revisiting all these steps along my path it brought me back into those times, experiences, un/learnings, and to the edges I was pushing.
Following this review I created the OP5 time line of un/learnings and outcomes (next page - right column). I then attended an OP Support Call with Jennifer English which again gave me more ideas and overall a feeling of communal support from my peers.
This process took more time than I had anticipated in my LIPD. There are many factors that made this a three month project; the instability of travel, other projects, my computer dying on me and the quantity of material to review. Taking the extra time for this project not only gave the freedom to experience Mexico and Guatemala but gave me more time to reflect allowing for deep inquiry and visioning.
The more I put in the deeper my roots sink-in and thus the further my branches will reach.
Learning Reviews RSS
Bookmarks shared by simhabode
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Ava - Learning Review Context
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LR Nicole Vosper
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LR Daniel B-L
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LR Amelia Parisian
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LR Bryce MacMath
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OP5-Greeting - GEL e-portfolios
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LR Sophie Viandier
Learning Review template
OP5 outline
My review of this framework
By keeping the Design framework simple it provided me a step-back to keep my vision with the patterns level process. I like the inclusion of Deconstruct and Reconstruct, I would recommend this framework to others doing a LR. Though the image (above) shows this as linear cycle, many times I would cross over, skip and back step to different processes. I didn't include these arrows to keep the image simple and clean visually.
In designing the OP I modified the T2 template (which I have used for all other OPs) to suit this project. My greatest struggle in this project was deciding on the threads and structure of this OP.
Interventions
When I struggled with the structure of this OP I sought out best practices. Through looking at other associates LR and attending an OP Support call I got good ideas and a better understanding of elements to include. Once I had created many of these elements, the themes and page formats became clear. I also intervened by renegotiating the completion date for this OP from January to March. This intervention, allowed me to: keep pushing my action learning edge, travel Central America visiting communities and teaching to build ovens, while continuing with a steady regiment of OP/Gaia work. These interventions were appropriate and beneficial to me and my pathway.
To avoid needing to renegotiate I will be scheduling-in more time for next years Learning Review. I suggest reserving a minimum of two months for a thorough LR.
Design Methods
1. Reflect: Method - Recapitulation, Story sharing
I shared many stories with UNO community members in Tulum. Art and craft was also helpful in this process, giving me time to reflect as my hands worked away.
2. Dig: Method - Reading journals, forum posts, mindmaps, and OPs
To really extract my Un/Learnings from this year I needed to revisit all my documentation.
3. Deconstruct: Method - Extracting highlights,
I extracted the essence of documentation and happenings of the year. The process of extraction was accomplished through, reviewing documentation, contemplation of experiences and by journaling.
4. Reconstruct: Method - Self inquiry
After extracting the essence of my documentation I had to ask myself if this was sufficiently articulating what I learned. I then added-to and edit what I had extracted to better articulate my un/learning. This resulted in unifying elements into new documents, creating new mindmaps, and an updated resume.
5. Design: Method - Best practices, outline, theme
I started by reading other associates learning reviews (see RSS feed of bookmarked LRs - left column), I then found a learning review explanation Ava had created. From this information I gathered I wrote my own outline (see Learning Review mindmap right column).
6. Create: Method - Use outline as a reference, weave the stories
I started with my goals for the OP/Project and followed with; outcomes of the year, Project Design, Project introduction, conclusion, commentary and Supporting evidence.
7. Edit: Method - Review PoDAPO, check text and links,
I copy all the text into a single Mac Pages file checking for spelling and grammar, I have another person review it then start my self review.
8. Review: Method - follow criteria of review form
I followed the PoDAPO review sheet filling out how I have met each of the criteria in this OP. I also added an accumulative value of how I fulfilled the criteria over the year.
Creative Commons license
Core report - Designing my Learning Review project by Will Bode is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
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