During the daily grind of coursework writing, it can feel like the best practice is to finish your papers, turn them in, and never think about what you wrote again. However, writing can also be seen as a learning process: one that allows you to engage with the content from your courses in multiple different ways. But in order to be able to write to learn, students must spend some time reflecting on the work they have done. Not only can reflection help writers understand the course content better, but it can also help them develop new and better strategies for revision.
Reflection is an integral stage in the writing process for students to develop and progress. With that in mind, Claire and Max sat down to discuss this very process in the latest episode of WriteCast: A Casual Conversation for Serious Writers. Listen to their discussion by clicking the player below.
You can access our full list of all 47 WriteCast episodes by visiting our podcast webpage. We also have transcripts of every episode posted there as well. Enjoy!
Keep Writing. Keep Inspiring.
The WriteCast Podcast is produced by the members of the Walden University Writing Center. Episodes are published each month, with topics and themes decided on by the production team based on feedback received from listeners of WriteCast. If you have comments or ideas for a future episode of WriteCast, please leave a comment in the space below. Thanks for listening!
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Podcast 47 response:
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoyed this podcast, as I have with many previous ..well, all WriteCast Podcast's !
The idea of reflection made me think of the three ingredients of wisdom- Experience, Research, and Reflection. And when we write , we communicate our wisdom and our knowledge. Long ago, before the age of writing, knowledge was passed on by word of mouth, by our elders. Today wisdom is gathered in books in our libraries; Much nicer times !
Though - writing and reflecting is "an acquired taste, " and finding those well written books of wisdom and knowledge "a priceless gem."
The resolutions discussed were also quite interesting. I believe it is especially constructive to plan and schedule our time. Even our break time !
Claire, your resolution of making personal time for creative writing, made me think of how busy our lives can get. Those personal moments of pleasure seem to become fewer and further between.
And Max, if you decide to run for office.. I would vote for you !
Now, about the style's of learning !
The medium in which we seek information, written, audio, video, ..word of mouth etc. can all be beneficial. For example, when I hear the news on radio, and than read about the same story in the newspaper, and later watch it on television, I feel satisfied I received a well rounded, full understanding of the event. I would never limit myself to one source, (even though they all discuss the same subject).
But, is this really a style of learning ?
We can self learn or be instructor taught. Is this a style ?
Perhaps I am mixing up learning style with learning process?
The learning process, however the subject is discovered or introduced, is about breaking down the subject into understandable pieces that will eventually all come together into a comprehensible, coherent lesson that builds onto the overall picture; regardless of the medium. And the real challenge, at least for me, is how to break a subject down into understandable pieces! (what and how) Especially since the subject to learn is vastly unknown; this is where a guide may be helpful in the learning process.
And, as a self-taught learner or as an instructor-taught student, it becomes very important to master this subject-breakdown process. In fact, breaking a subject down into deliverable , comprehensive sentences and paragraphs, all in a manner of coherent order is a vital part in the process of writing.
Which makes writing a lot like teaching, (and learning).
Can it be said," If one can write well, one can also teach well !"
Unfortunately, when asked about the learning-teaching process, the response is always the same, " there are many ways ..everyone is different !"
One would hope that in today's civilization, with proclaimed universities of higher education, we would have - well defined and distinguishable patterns and processes of teaching and learning.
(a small sample of reflection).
WaldenU Guest,
Jeff C.
Canada
Hi, Jeff! Thanks for your insightful points--we're glad you enjoyed the podcast and that it prompted you to consider patterns and processes of teaching and learning in higher education.
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