The on-site session held from 10 – 16h was the most valuable one since the beginning of the course – I had finally understood what and in which amount is expected of us in the on-going term – it is incredible how a few hours in person clarifies a month of online documents and sessions; having said that, it would have been good if the first, briefing session, had been held in person, following necessary online sessions. In the end of the day information is more easily remembered when it comes through experiencing/emotional arousal (accessed 29.01.2023. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/making-memories/202005/what-do-we-remember).
notes from the session – Firstly, we were invited to choose a quote that communicates a belief about education and think it through will the questions below.
I chose: “Teachers, like their students, have to learn to love the questions, as they come to realise that there can be no final agreements or answers.” (*ask Lindsay about the ‘airy-fairy’ book)
1. Who do you imagine saying it? A teacher in front of his/her colleagues and amongst students (prophet-like).
2. What does it mean to you? A reminder what teaching is all about.
3. What else does it bring to mind? Philosopher Alan Watts.
4. In what ways do you agree with? There is no point of imposing one person’s truth (taste) – it is about allowing the true nature of the idea to develop and mature.
5. In what ways do you disagree with? There has to be a subjective element when shaping the students’ path and assessment.
6. What do you think are the implications of this belief for teaching practice? Curiosity, personal development of the tutor, ego-check.
Secondly, we worked in groups to design a poster reflecting the briefs we have brought – I worked with a colleague teaching Foundation Art & Design (an illustrator, William Davey) and a colleague teaching BA Graphic Design (a graphic designer, Peter Chadwick) – with myself as a visual communicator, we managed to come to a unison conclusion that what design/art education is lacking these days due to structure, didacticism and control is more space for PLAY (‘fucking about’) and freedom to self-initiate, self-organise, create collectives and societies. (*task: ‘A space to play’ – find theory that supports it)

*idea for teaching – Students to draw how they perceive the learning journey (at the beginning and end of a unit for example).
*Assessment as personality clusters.