Reflective Learning Journal #4

I still find reflective learning difficult. The need to be critical rather than descriptive is challenging, I think, because of my experience studying A-Level English. Despite being given some guidelines, I feel as though I need some feedback that what I am doing is correct. I do not know if I am entitled to have it ‘assessed’ by my tutor, although I do not think so. This is obviously something I need to find out. However, I think I have improved since I started writing. I suppose throughout my course I will automatically adapt to the writing standard demand of me. I am trying to improve my ability to critically analysis  journal articles and academic textbooks, which I think develops as I read.

In our previous tutorial, the group had the task of reading two different journal articles, one of which was utterly tedious. Not only was it long, but also hard to read and, after a while, I found it difficult to concentrate so I skipped to the conclusion and took notes from that. The language the author used was very complex and he seemed to lack structure in his writing, often jumping from one idea to the next and back again. Now in the context of the entire book this journal may have made some sense. For me it was too much at such an early stage but I also found it slightly difficult to pinpoint the key ideas and arguments from the journal. The second journal was not as bad and I found it a much easier and more interesting read. I enjoyed its exploration of how an image can be represented in different ways and create an imaginative Geography that becomes embedded in social culture as ‘fact’ through the researcher’s use of the Apollo Earth images as examples. I still had to take a break from reading since I am currently a slow reader because it takes me a while to understand what the author is trying to say. Despite not knowing what questions to consider when reading these articles, I noted down ideas I thought were key and suggested them in a tutorial session. At first, I found it difficult to contribute to group discussions as I was trying to follow other people’s train of thought as well as trying to figure out which part I wanted to discuss. However, when I had finally thought of a point to raise I think I managed to put across my idea quite well, but it is clear that I am slow to think of points and I am too quiet. This may be due to a lack of confidence, an issue which I know I have faced a lot in my life, or perhaps I am slightly intimidated by the members in my group since, although I am improving, I am still shy and am not yet confident in my ability. In order to combat this, I think it is important that I put myself in pressured situations that require me to speak and contribute more to discussions, which could be done through the university Career Zone. However, when I suddenly realised what my point could be I think I managed to put across my statement, which reflected on one of the parts of the journal I found so interesting.

Thanks to another tutorial session, I now know the reading skills I have to develop. Currently I have a ‘surface approach’ to reading rather than the ideal ‘deep approach’ because, at the moment, I don’t try to relate ideas I come across in other topics to what I read and I don’t often find myself questioning what I read. I hope that now I have a list of questions to reflect on when reading geographical articles, my reading approach will change. I think that it is important for me to continue reading as many journals as possible because I think the more I read, the more I will understand and be able to critically analyse what I read.

~ Jones' Journal

Reflective Learning Journal #3

Wednesday involved a fieldtrip for Human and Physical Geography students, the first trip of the academic year. The tour took us around parts of Exeter, where we analysed how the topography of Exeter’s urban and physical landscape has changed over the course of the last few centuries, many of which were discussed at various places on the way to the city centre.

There are many evident changes in Exeter, primarily the intertwining of both old and new infrastructures. After splitting into three groups, we were tasked with drawing what we thought was significant about two areas of study: The Guildhall Shopping Centre and The Cathedral. I didn’t managed to finish either sketch because I’m what you would call a perfectionist; I would rather draw slowly and accurately than quickly and lose detail; so I think I need to improve on this by sketching different scenes more often. This way, I will be able to sketch quickly and include any important bits of detail without the sketch being too untidy. When investigating the Guildhall Shopping Centre, the majority of people drew the Higher Market due to the historical significance of being partially destroyed by the air raid during the war. The bombing of 1942, as we learned in a previous lecture, was important for the change of the layout of the city of Exeter, changing from one with narrow streets to one whose streets were widened to accommodate for the increase in automobiles, which dominated the city centre by the mid 20^th century. I on the other hand drew St. Pancras Church. Despite being small, this church had many historical links and was culturally important to the area. Built as early as the fourth century AD by Roman Christians, this church is perhaps one of the oldest foundations of the city of Exeter (Management Office, ca.2014). Not only this but there is evidence of the remnants of a Saxon door which enhances the historical significance of the small church as it poses as an important artefact during the period of the Saxon invasion of Exeter. However, what I considered to be the most important image of the area was that this ancient building, situated in the centre of the courtyard, was surrounded by contemporary buildings and shops. The modern shops and buildings drastically contrasted the church and I decided that the entwining of the two eras was both locally and globally significant to the area as it stood as a symbol of mankind’s technological advancements and change from ancient to modern ways of living; both dominated by economy, consumption and expansion but in a different way. I think this kind of analysis of the area shows some of my strengths in this field because I can think of the ways in which there are geographical links to different things, which I have also shown in a previous tutorial session.

Later in the day, we had the task of drawing and identifying different stones that were used in the construction of the wall of Rougemont Castle. I found this task very difficult to do because it was a Physical Geography exercise and, as I mainly focus on Human Geography, I have little knowledge of geology and therefore I definitely cannot identify rock types. It is now obvious to me that I have a lack of knowledge in this topic area and perhaps I need to do some research into some of the fields of Physical Geography to improve my understanding but geology is not something I take interest in. Currently I do not know where to start geological research but I assume core textbooks or journals are my best bet.

Reference

Management Office (ca.2014) St Pancras Church, <http://www.guildhallshoppingexeter.co.uk/st-pancras-church.html>.

~ Jones' Journal

Reflective Learning Journal #2

In our tutorial session on Monday, we were split into two groups of four, given one random object each, and told to reflect on how the inanimate object linked to Geography. It seemed an interesting task to undertake although our group’s object was a plastic toy Shire horse that, at first, seemed irrelevant. However, when thinking in-depth it was clear that there were many links to Geography; past, present and future.

As a link to the past some members came up with the concept that the Shire horse was used as a transportation system before the invention of cars as cart horses, carrying people and goods around the country.

As a link to the present it was clear that offshoring had taken place as the toy was made by a German company in China, giving rise to the political and social issues surrounding worker exploitation and hence leading to thoughts about the collapse of Rana Plaza, a fashion factory in the Savar district of Dhaka which killed approximately 1,129 people and injured 2,515.

As a link to the future I concocted the idea that as a toy constructed from plastic it was therefore based from oil, a finite resource and one which is running out due to civilisation’s rapid consumption of energy and fuel. This then links to climate change and how in future the Earth’s global temperatures will rise unless measures are taken to act against global warming. I was pleased that I had thought of this link, although it took me time to begin thinking of ideas. I was not overly confident with my ideas either, tending to hold back rather than speak my mind. This was my weakness in the task but my strengths lie in my knowledge of Geography and when I create an idea I can expand it to link into many different fields of Geography because in Geography everything has links to one another, be it direct or indirect.

I know that it is necessary for me to improve my confidence since it is one of my weaknesses, but it will take time and practice. In a few weeks I will have to undertake a group presentation for the same module but I am with two people who are very confident, so in order to be heard I must find the confidence deep inside to contribute to this presentation because this is my degree and in this type of environment I can only trust myself because we’re all fighting for the same thing, otherwise it will be no-one’s fault but my own. Therefore, in order to succeed I must do research and make notes on the articles we have to read so that I have ideas and reflections to contribute to the presentation while trying to balance all my other studies.

~ Jones' Journal

Reflective Learning Journal #1

I have recently found myself in my first session of my university career, a tutorial session, which consisted of various handouts about essay referencing techniques, introducing myself to seven other students and the tutor. By the end of the session I had already been assigned my first essay on if ‘Human Geography plays a key role in understanding and responding to climate change’, consisting of 20% of my module grade. I was given little information to begin with so I was anxious about whether I would be able to write a successful essay. Unsure about where to begin, I began making notes on what I thought the essay would consist of, drawing on my knowledge from A level work and reading through some of the material that was suggested to us for use in this essay, including ‘Key Concepts in Geography’. It wasn’t a particularly difficult question, but being away from a study environment for six months really effected how I worked. The problem with this essay was that I didn’t read many of the suggested readings, tending to search online for various websites and articles that were short because at the time I did not understand the importance of key readings (I suppose the word key should have given it away). This impacted on my essay because it limited my understanding of the question which would have been improved if I had read the key readings. Since I have had feedback I have began to read more journals and Geography textbooks but they seem very complicated and difficult to analyse. I understand that, since this is only the beginning, I will develop as the course progresses and eventually become used to the writing style needed for essays and will be able to understand the points made in the journals. Next time I will read more in order to have a better understanding of the question topic, which, with any luck, will mean that I get a better result for my next essay.

~ Jones' Journal

Things You Need To Know About Me

I'm a new student at the University of Exeter (otherwise known as a Fresher), studying Human Geography, (otherwise known as a Fresher) and work is already getting intense with trying to balance shopping, eating, relaxing, studies and Kung Fu (I know, awesome right?). I decided to come to university to further my career prospects, develop new skills and my knowledge.
Geography has always been an interest of mine and the incorporation of physical geography modules into the human BA course is good since it expands the areas I can work in rather than fixing me to pure human modules.
The main reason for the creation of this blog is because it is a requirement of my 'Study Skills for Human Geographers' module to write something called a 'Reflective Learning Journal'. Now many of you are probably reading this and don't understand what a reflective learning journal is but don't worry, in all fairness neither do I! All I know is that it's thinking about lectures, what my feelings were, what I've learnt, what I would do differently and I have a whole year to do it in so I have plenty of time to learn. Since I've never written one before I think I'll need a year as I suppose over time I'll begin to understand how to write it and the words will start to flow onto the page like water trickling over a stone, taking shape as it follows the contours of its form.
But this blog isn't just for my studies. Another important thing you should know about me is that I am a fictional writer. I enjoy writing short stories and I am currently in the midst of writing my very own novel. Primarily my work tends to revolve around the themes of post-apocalyptic dystopia and fantasy while occasionally I will delve into the human psyche and contemplate the dangers in a world gripped by crime. I've participated in an Open University course in creative writing which has made me a much better writer with better ideas and writing style. Over the course of this blog I'll attempt to upload a short story every few weeks (or every week if I can manage it) and hopefully you'll like what I do.

Other random things to know is that I'm quite a sporty person as I enjoy climbing, mountain biking, Kung Fu (of course), horse riding and many other activities. If sport societies in university were cheap I'd have joined a lot more! I'm also now part of the University newspaper and hopefully will be submitting short stories and game articles soon for either the printed paper or the online version.

The next post will consist of an edition of my new 'Reflective Learning Journal' and as soon as I can I'll upload a short story for you to read.

~ Jones' Journal