Introduction

The assessment criteria for “The Enquiring Mind: Creative Approaches” is a reflective journal on five of the key areas studied throughout the module; the journal will be submitted in blog format. As well as exploring each of the key areas in depth, this blog will also discuss their relevance to 21^st Century Learning; how do they link to the pupil’s enquiry and learning? The five areas, chosen by myself, to research further are:

• The Art vs Science Debate which discusses the connection between the two subject and how the two should be taught linearly in order to exhort the greatest potential from our learners.
• The Leonardo Effect a curriculum design that focuses on a pupil lead learning experience derived from the child like methodology of Leonardo da Vinci.
• Mantle of the Expert a method created by Dorothy Heathcote that encourages children to combine drama with their learning by becoming 'experts' in fields relating to their topic.
• Creative Partnerships are participatory education projects that bring together school children and creative agents to encourage expression through the arts.
• Creative Play develops a child's imagination through the arts to develop confidence and self-esteem.

For ease while pursuing this blog each of the five key areas has been hyperlinked above; or for an over view of the blog please use the labels “Laura” or “The Enquiring Mind”.

Introduction to Visual Communication Blog

Throughout this module one of the goals we have been working towards is completing an e-portfolio made up of a series of fifteen blog posts. There were five compulsory blogs that we would be marked on as well as an additional ten that could be made up of what we liked, within reason. The five blog posts that we were asked to complete were as follows:

1. Photostory using 7 pictures
2. Review of a TED video clip that was related to education
3. Review of an Educational Blog
4. Pro's and Con's of Web 2
5. Testing of a Web 2 Application

Following the completion of the assessed criteria I have blogged about various other educational based topics for my e-portfolio. These can be found using the labels Mandy or Project within the label cloud or via the hyperlinks.

Introduction to Contexts of Learning 'Reflective Blog'

This reflective blog will explore contexts of learning that have been studied by the Education Studies, first year students at Swansea Metropolitan University (SMU) between September and December 2013.  The four contexts that these reflective posts will focus on are the Montessori method pioneered by Maria Montessori in the early 1900's, Summerhill 'free' Schools established by A.S. Neill, Forest Schools which encourage outdoor learning in the Early Years and finally philosophical thinking in children.  Throughout this assignment the following labels have been used to guide the reader through the posts with ease: Assignment, Caroline, Contexts of Learning and Reflective Blog.