First off.. isnt it called the learning loop of DEPTH? instead of death?
What exactly are dynamics? Well, the literal definition, according to dictionary.com says that it is "the motivating or driving forces, physical or moral, in any field," and also "the pattern or history of growth, change, and development in any field." It is the interaction between different components.
So how does this definition relate to 'Theory, Action, and Reflection' and 'The Learning Loop of Depth?'
Theory, Action, and Reflection are all very important concepts, but each one is interdependent upon one another, which is where each one finds its power. All three need one another to be most affective, to be the best "driving force" possible. The book describes these three as the "lenses of the praxis." If one is missing, the image is distorted. When each interact with one another, it creates a powerful environment where lives can be changed...
When it comes to the Learning Loop of Depth, it is important to not just understand how each part works, but how each interacts with one another. The learning loop becomes sequential, cyclical, and intentional, and when we learn this it helps our ministry become more useful. As we go through this loop, we continually improve and grow. The Loop is great for designing programs and predicting the needs of not only the individual, but the whole group.
Luke, I agree a lot with what you've said, especially in reference to the last paragraph. If we are able to understand the loop and apply it positively to our ministry (instead of making the mistakes that we obviously could), I think we can all be successful ministers in whatever setting we find ourselves in.
With Dynamics being the driving force we as educators decided what is the driving force of what we teach our teens and Children. We need to talk the time to brain storm and narrow our ideas down to work on what we want move our teens or children to do though using the loop method to keep the thoughts connected.
Haha, Luke - you're totally right about it being "depth" and not "death". I wrote my whole summary and didn't notice once that it wasn't right! In fact, I wondered why it was death... Good job, Jeremy. Ya got me :)
Anyway... I really liked the lens analogy that was used to describe theory, action, and reflection. It's true that all three are needed for a clear picture to be seen. Otherwise the image is distorted. Obviously God wants us to have as clear a picture as possible. We need to draw on all three in order to be most effective as ministers.
Like Luke said, dynamics are "driving forces". The three aspects of praxis, theory, application, and reflection, are the driving forces. Like Liz, I loved the analogy of the lenses. It shows us how important all three of these work together to form the perfect educational experience.
I also loved the analogy of the lenses. I believe that it puts this concept of taking these practices as a whole into real terms that we can understand. Emphasis on the parts that bring us to a whole seems to be the theme of the ministry presented by the author.
Often times, we skip over the details and try to get to the end without letting the work we do to get there impact us.
This concept brings us back to the idea of a journey. The journey is more important than the end. Someone in ministry who goes through the theory, action, reflection model or the learning loop of depth and focuses on the steps taken to get there will grow more in their ministry and in Christ than someone who simply rushes to the answer.
God gives us journeys for a reason. He gives us community for a reason. And he gives us processes for a reason.
As you all know, I wanted to be a teacher before realizing my calling was to ministry. The thing that caught my attention was that this concept that the author invented is called "praxis" and a "praxis" is also the name of an education test. This made me think about the Learning Loop of Depth is taking education, teaching, learning, and developing further than in the secular education system. I think this is great! This shows we take ministry seriously and we do not want them simply to learn the knowledge, but grow in their spirituality.
the dynamics are also understanding how each of these "models" work. If we don't understand them do we honestly think we can use them? this is why dynamics are so important.
Like it has been said already the understanding of theory, action, and reflection is that they are like the lenses of a projector. If all three are not being used the image will not be clear.
If we do not understand that all of the steps of the Learning Loop fit in a nice cycle and are all important then it will not work.
So with dynamics we see that understanding the model is just as important as using the model.
i think it is a common mistake for people to look at this cycle and not realize how vital ALL THREE areas are. there are so many programs that focus on two of the three and just don't get that third one in there all the way, or the first one most of the time. theory is generally pretty lame in the types of learning that take place. i mean lets face it we generally have a theory that we can throw behind it and be ok but i think it needs to be what drives our entire force. it seems that we cannot get a good hold on what we are teaching if we don't have a good backing and a plan!
it is funny that as a red this section I always wanted to read it as "death" and not "depth"... anyway... I agree with what Luke has said... you have made this small group leader proud...(tear, tear) lol okay, I need to stop getting off track... all three parts of the praxis need each other to work out correctly on their own. I think that Porter makes a great point that there is more focus on the first two - theory and action, than the last one, reflection. I think many times minsiters of all types - youth, children, head pastors, expect this last one to take place away from the learning setting and into the peoples lives till they meet again... and as many of us probably have experienced this does not happen. By planning time for poeple to reflect we are giving them more of a chance to reflect during the week on what they heard.
When it comes to the "Amazing Learning Loop of Depth" - Jeremy seems to have left out the word "Amazing", I would have to say that it makes compelte sense but is hard for us to as minsters to implement. I think that we get to the inform and apply and maybe the reflect but never the re-view part of the Loop.
As to where everyone else defines these concepts (I am guessing mostly in sarcasm) as amazing and great, I feel it is the learning loop of DEATH. Though the ideas are valid, they are as stated before, automatic and not a big deal. When I get up in the morning, my moving force does not come from Amazing learning loops of depth or praxis's. I feel like I am ready for the next blog subjects in hopes that they are more in depth and compelling.
First off..
ReplyDeleteisnt it called the learning loop of DEPTH? instead of death?
What exactly are dynamics? Well, the literal definition, according to dictionary.com says that it is "the motivating or driving forces, physical or moral, in any field," and also "the pattern or history of growth, change, and development in any field." It is the interaction between different components.
So how does this definition relate to 'Theory, Action, and Reflection' and 'The Learning Loop of Depth?'
Theory, Action, and Reflection are all very important concepts, but each one is interdependent upon one another, which is where each one finds its power. All three need one another to be most affective, to be the best "driving force" possible. The book describes these three as the "lenses of the praxis." If one is missing, the image is distorted. When each interact with one another, it creates a powerful environment where lives can be changed...
When it comes to the Learning Loop of Depth, it is important to not just understand how each part works, but how each interacts with one another. The learning loop becomes sequential, cyclical, and intentional, and when we learn this it helps our ministry become more useful. As we go through this loop, we continually improve and grow. The Loop is great for designing programs and predicting the needs of not only the individual, but the whole group.
These dynamics are GREAT for our ministry!
Luke, I agree a lot with what you've said, especially in reference to the last paragraph. If we are able to understand the loop and apply it positively to our ministry (instead of making the mistakes that we obviously could), I think we can all be successful ministers in whatever setting we find ourselves in.
ReplyDeleteWith Dynamics being the driving force we as educators decided what is the driving force of what we teach our teens and Children. We need to talk the time to brain storm and narrow our ideas down to work on what we want move our teens or children to do though using the loop method to keep the thoughts connected.
ReplyDeleteHaha, Luke - you're totally right about it being "depth" and not "death". I wrote my whole summary and didn't notice once that it wasn't right! In fact, I wondered why it was death... Good job, Jeremy. Ya got me :)
ReplyDeleteAnyway... I really liked the lens analogy that was used to describe theory, action, and reflection. It's true that all three are needed for a clear picture to be seen. Otherwise the image is distorted. Obviously God wants us to have as clear a picture as possible. We need to draw on all three in order to be most effective as ministers.
Like Luke said, dynamics are "driving forces". The three aspects of praxis, theory, application, and reflection, are the driving forces.
ReplyDeleteLike Liz, I loved the analogy of the lenses. It shows us how important all three of these work together to form the perfect educational experience.
I also loved the analogy of the lenses. I believe that it puts this concept of taking these practices as a whole into real terms that we can understand. Emphasis on the parts that bring us to a whole seems to be the theme of the ministry presented by the author.
ReplyDeleteOften times, we skip over the details and try to get to the end without letting the work we do to get there impact us.
This concept brings us back to the idea of a journey. The journey is more important than the end. Someone in ministry who goes through the theory, action, reflection model or the learning loop of depth and focuses on the steps taken to get there will grow more in their ministry and in Christ than someone who simply rushes to the answer.
God gives us journeys for a reason. He gives us community for a reason. And he gives us processes for a reason.
So, why shouldn't we embrace them?
As you all know, I wanted to be a teacher before realizing my calling was to ministry. The thing that caught my attention was that this concept that the author invented is called "praxis" and a "praxis" is also the name of an education test. This made me think about the Learning Loop of Depth is taking education, teaching, learning, and developing further than in the secular education system. I think this is great! This shows we take ministry seriously and we do not want them simply to learn the knowledge, but grow in their spirituality.
ReplyDeletethe dynamics are also understanding how each of these "models" work. If we don't understand them do we honestly think we can use them? this is why dynamics are so important.
ReplyDeleteLike it has been said already the understanding of theory, action, and reflection is that they are like the lenses of a projector. If all three are not being used the image will not be clear.
If we do not understand that all of the steps of the Learning Loop fit in a nice cycle and are all important then it will not work.
So with dynamics we see that understanding the model is just as important as using the model.
i think it is a common mistake for people to look at this cycle and not realize how vital ALL THREE areas are. there are so many programs that focus on two of the three and just don't get that third one in there all the way, or the first one most of the time. theory is generally pretty lame in the types of learning that take place. i mean lets face it we generally have a theory that we can throw behind it and be ok but i think it needs to be what drives our entire force. it seems that we cannot get a good hold on what we are teaching if we don't have a good backing and a plan!
ReplyDeleteit is funny that as a red this section I always wanted to read it as "death" and not "depth"... anyway...
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Luke has said... you have made this small group leader proud...(tear, tear) lol
okay, I need to stop getting off track...
all three parts of the praxis need each other to work out correctly on their own. I think that Porter makes a great point that there is more focus on the first two - theory and action, than the last one, reflection. I think many times minsiters of all types - youth, children, head pastors, expect this last one to take place away from the learning setting and into the peoples lives till they meet again... and as many of us probably have experienced this does not happen. By planning time for poeple to reflect we are giving them more of a chance to reflect during the week on what they heard.
When it comes to the "Amazing Learning Loop of Depth" - Jeremy seems to have left out the word "Amazing", I would have to say that it makes compelte sense but is hard for us to as minsters to implement. I think that we get to the inform and apply and maybe the reflect but never the re-view part of the Loop.
As to where everyone else defines these concepts (I am guessing mostly in sarcasm) as amazing and great, I feel it is the learning loop of DEATH. Though the ideas are valid, they are as stated before, automatic and not a big deal. When I get up in the morning, my moving force does not come from Amazing learning loops of depth or praxis's. I feel like I am ready for the next blog subjects in hopes that they are more in depth and compelling.
ReplyDelete