During my first class we’ve spent our time discussing concepts and their meaning. In my opinion the way a person uses a concept depends on the way that person is used to use it and the situation in which the concept is being used. We have learned that concepts are rather individual and do not really exist in the real world. However, they do exist in everyone’ s personal world. In this blog I would like to talk about my concept of Korea. Actually, before I came to Korea the concept ‘Korea’ did not exist solely in my world, it was either South-Korea or North-Korea. However, during my first few weeks in Korea I am the living proof that concepts can easily change. South-Korea suddenly became a non-example and Korea became my concept example.
Another good example of changing concepts and a shift from non-example to concept example for me is the concept Asia. Last winter I was travelling in South-East Asia (Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam) and I really have gotten familiar with the culture in those countries. Before I came to Korea I pretty much thought that most cultures in Asia would be somehow similar. Asia was my concept for a certain form of culture and a certain geographical area. However, now that I'm here I have learned that living in a different country really gives you the opportunity to get to know a country and its people. Even though I have only been here for three weeks, I can definitely say that the Korean culture differs in tremendous way from any other Asian culture I already knew. Korea is a very developed country compared to Cambodia for instance. But the differences are not only economically but minor difference are especially visible to me. I can't find a fruit venter on every corner of the street; fruit is actually really expensive here.... Next to that Korean people keep it way more to themselves, one can easily walk down the street without being addressed by numerous people, which isn't the case in Thailand!
One could say these are just minor difference, but to me these are really big differences with the pre-existing concepts in my head. Logically, these pre-existing concepts have changed and a new mind map came into existence in my head.
The material of thinking is not thoughts, but actions, facts, events, and the relations of things. In other words, to think effectively one must have had, or now have experiences which will furnish … resources for coping with the difficulty at hand.
- Dewey (1916)
Quote above I couldn't agree more with. In order to reflect on something one is supposed to have experienced something to furnish, memories and experiences are essential in reflecting. While reading the texts belonging to this subject new views are offered concerning using reflection in learning. In Zimmerman's theory of self-regulated learning 'reflection' is the last phase and might be the most important phase in order to repeat successful behavior. While for me Zimmerman's three phases are automatically used while learning, reading this text made me realize that for some people this is not a automated process.
The question raised by Jenny Moon is actually strikingly accurate; "Much has been written and said about reflection in recent times, but it remains a somewhat mysterious activity – or is it a capacity?". This class made me realize the importance of reflection, but somehow it remains a rather vague concept. How does one reflect? Does one reflect automatic, or should it be triggered? What role does reflection play in my own life? I hope that this course will provide me with a clearer concept of reflection and the role it plays in one's life.
