We all learn something new every day. As performers, learning is such a valuable part of our profession and there is always something more that we can learn.
When it comes to reflecting on the process of how we learn as individuals, it is very interesting to see the point at which we enter the Learning Cycle. This for me differs dependent on the type of task that I am undertaking. For example, when creating my blog I felt that the stage of entry was reflective observation. I spent time visiting other peoples blogs and gaining knowledge from them.
When it comes to dancing and performing I learn best by doing; this would be entering at concrete experience. However, when I am choreographing I learn best and create some of my favourite work through active experiment.
I think that it’s very important to assess the varying learning processes that work best for you to help to maximize the positive outcomes from an exercise.
Reflecting on previous work is equally as valuable as it allows your mind and body to learn from mistakes or triumphs in your past.
Reflection-in-action is something that I have used several times in my practice. When being a part of a cast on a Cruise Ship, there would be a number of issues that may arise mid-show. This could be to do with errors with staging, props, or a cast member becoming unable to continue a performance. In situations such as these, it was vital to be able to reflect and adjust elements of my performance whilst ensuring that the audience continues to enjoy the show.
Reflection-on-action is likewise just as important, as dancers this is very regularly used. During my time working as a dancer onboard a ship, notes were given to us after every performance. We are all trained to receive notes and action them to improve every element of our work as much as possible. This type of reflection enables us to develop massively as a performer and learn from negative and positive feedback, whether this is from our own reflection or from a teacher or director.
This course has opened up a new way of learning for me, as it is no longer just about using my body to notice and rectify mistakes. The different learning processes have enabled me to take on new information in a variety of ways.
I have also been looking into my learning style and processes and find it very interested that most of us are 'wired' the same way and 'reflection in action' is an integral part of our practice. I am currently questioning if our ability to learn from doing makes us the best performers or is it that we are naturally performers because we have always learnt from doing?
ReplyDeleteHi Charlotte. It's great to read your thoughts on this as this is also something I have been looking into recently. The reflection in action and reflection on action theory is something I have really thought about within my own practice, but the biggest shift I have noticed is how my experience on the course has opened up new ways of learning for me too. This is something I have discussed on my blog recently.
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