Julia Reeve, Independent Workshop Facilitator at www.playtoconnect.co.uk
As we look forward to this year’s symposium, this post reflects on my visual journey mapping workshop at last April’s event. This hands-on, multisensory session was prompted by my joint passions of creativity and inclusion, harnessing the creative process of visual journey mapping to enable colleagues to reflect on their individual routes as educators, considering past, present and future directions.
As a member of the ‘In It Together’ working group, who seek to improve the representation, progression and success of under-represented groups in regard to Advance HE teaching awards, I was particularly interested in exploring ways in which a creative, visual approach to self-reflection might empower potential applicants.
Visualisation via the creation of a hand-drawn ‘journey map’ of my career proved a powerful tool to underpin my own National Teaching Fellow (NTF) application, so I was keen to use this technique to support colleagues in reflecting on their practice and clarifying their pedagogic identity, potentially using this as a bridge into a teaching award application.
The workshop was deliberately informal in nature: participants sat around in a circle, with paper and coloured pens available. I began with a brief introduction to me, my practice and my belief that playful, multisensory tools can provide a powerful vehicle for self-reflection and self-awareness, empowering individuals through the visualisation of their teaching identity. I shared the map I had made prior to my NTF application and talked about the way that this activity had helped me to clarify my pedagogic philosophy.
From then on it was a matter of guiding everyone through the process of creating a hand-drawn map of their personal pedagogic journey, beginning with early learning experiences, and moving on to consider important educational or career milestones, turning points and forks in the road along the way. Future directions were also added, whether clearly identified, multiple routes or a complete change of direction.
Once they got started, participants engaged enthusiastically with the activity. Some maps resembled board games, while others were more geographical in nature: all were very different to one another.
Reflection on the finished maps was then encouraged, including the identification of any recurring themes or new insights into identities as educators that could be gained through the mapping process. I was impressed with the depth of reflection shown, all were very open in sharing quite personal experiences and reflections. It was inspiring to hear these diverse, honest stories as we shared our maps around the table.
On reflection, sharing the maps on a Padlet might not have been appropriate as some revealed quite personal stories: however, this activity seems to work well as an individual piece of self-reflection or small group activity, and the maps offer a powerful tool for work with mentors
The workshop was well-received: one participant commented that the process would be “enormously helpful for anyone considering an application for an NTF/CATE”.
So what are you waiting for? Follow the steps below and create your own map: who knows where it will take you?
Image(s): Credit Julia Reeve
For more information: Find Julia on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliareeveplay/
