Maths and Poetry

                                               

Thanks to Julia for sharing this reflection with us!

Reflection Corner: Musical and Rythmic Intelligence 6th November

                                                        



Today, the city hall was literally »Shaking and moving«. We were talking about musical/rhythmical intelligence. After the demonstration of interesting exercises for getting acquainted with and keeping the rhythm, we clapped and made our own rhythms. After a few tries we actually succeeded. J

Every one of us found his/her rhythm, his/her tone and then we tried to tune in with the rest of the participants to create the rhythm and tone of the group. Can you imagine that? Let me tell you that this is not nearly a simple task if you take into account that we are an international group of people, knowing each other for five days. But we did it!

We went to lunch »in the mood« ;)

After lunch some of the participants presented their own exercises for creating rhythm, listening to various sounds, pointing out false tones etc.

Then we held a debate about what is and what is not a musical intelligence, its connection with other intelligences or even the possibility that it traverses into some, how to use it in educational process. The debate could last until dawn. We concluded the day with composing songs about the seminar, a rap song. I guess you can imagine the laughter following the presentation of our folk-pop-rap masterpieces.

The conclusion of today's seminar was that every one of us has at least a tiny bit of musical and rhythmical intelligence in him/her since this is actually first form of intelligence we come across. A fetus in the womb listens to the beating of mother's heart, voices from outside, vibrations.

It is true that same of us are much more musical than the others, some »think in music« and others like to listen. Rhythm, tone, voices, frequencies, melodies, harmony or not; all this is around us every single day. Life is music and music is life!

Matjaz, Slovenia

Reflection Corner: Verbal-Linguistic and Logical-Mathematical Intelligences day (5th November)

                                          


Dear participants,
First of all, we want you to know that we are very glad about you and the Seminar.. We are amazed of the huge and great learning experience that we are all going through. We can really feel the Movers and Shakers spirit!
We also want to thank our great mathematician Astrid Jaimen that made us understand the process of the logical thinking and made us have fun while solving brain games. We learned a lot with her. Thank you so much!
As you know, for today, the Blogging will be done with all of us... We gathered your feedback and reflections. We have to say that we enjoyed a lot reading all them. For that reason, we decided to share with you some of the ideas that you wrote down. Enjoy it! :)

An interesting pattern I'm noticing is that there are different approaches due to different cultures.

The powerful tool of making questions/ORID.
At the bottom of your heart/gut, you know where you have to go!

Words allow me to grow up, to feel like a small drop in the ocean of multiple languages, meanings, reactions and dicisions.

Change the way you ask the question to modify the (type of) answer you'll get.

If today were a song, it would be "Yesterday, all my troubles seem so far away".

Words used in purposeful way to gain insights understanding and interpretation.

I noticed that I keep my mind open so I can receive.

If today were a song, it would be Every word you say...(Sting)

If today were a song, it would be Let's create, let's speak with each others for the dream.

Maths are not numbers, Maths is in our daily problems, lots of kinds of logic.

Everybody has his own logic world and own way to solve things. It's very important to remember that working with people and try to reach them also in different ways.

If we make a mistake, we have learnt something!

I want to talk about the relation between Mathematics theory and practical mathematics application in the reality.

I had a small headache because I tried to make my brain work.

The relation between intuition and logic. In most process of life, we need both.

I am good at Mathematics!!!

An insight feeling that I had today is to keep calm and think it again.

We are all discovering that Logical/Math Intelligence in not all about numbers.

Learning is going through a part of frustration, it doesn't matter, don't focus on the result... I went over my frustration and came out of it!

Conciencious incompetent? Or scared? Or simply not aware of I know that I know things? Logical/Mathematical Intelligence for me seems like a tornado that shakes it all and destroys, but at the end, the inputs and afterall I grow up and become more aware. (I hope...)

If today were a song, it would be "Ain't no sunshine when she's gone" or it would be "Shape of my heart" :)


Mathematics can be fun if it becomes relevant right away, not in five years..

I'd like to show my former Maths teacher me solving mathematical problems succesfully!

I have the innate ability to be logical.

If today were a song, it would be A spoon full of sugar makes the medecine go down...

I reached a better confidence and understanding of my logical process.

An interesing pattern noticing is the trial and error. The use of errors.

I'm pleased that there's a space for creativity in logic and maths.

If today were a song, it would be "Come together" The Beatles.

Hope you enjoyed this wonderful outcomes, so let's keep on rocking all together!!

Reflection Corner: Rainbow of Words' Day (4th November)

                                              

Reflexion Corner: Shakers day, 3rd November

                                       


Dear participants,
Thank you for sharing this day, full of learning, experiences, thoughts, colors and music!
Share with us and with the Blogger of the Day your experiences, thoughts and feelings... :)

Reflection Corner 2nd November

                                            

Dear participants,
This was our first day of the Seminar! We are all amazed with all the participants and the great number of ideas, expectations and contribution that we could learn today! And it's just the beggining!!!
As we agreed, this entry will be for the Blogger of the day to summarize what we've done during our meeting and to give us some feedback and reflections. It'll be open to everyone that want to share whatever related to this great experience.
Enjoy the Seminar and enjoy Madrid!

Glossary of ICA Methodology

                                           

GLOSSARY No. 1

For ICA -Technology of Participation (ToP) Suite

In general we try to avoid using difficult or specialist terms on our workshops. However, we

do use a few words that may not be obvious to non-native English speakers, and a few words have specific meanings for our courses and methods. Most or all of these terms will be explained in more depth during the course, but this list may help get you started.

Brainstorm – One of the world’s best known and most studied group processes, Brainstorming is helping a group generate ideas or information by removing self-censorship (all ideas are ok), encouraging creativity, and prompting new ideas inspired by others in the group.

Cluster – In ICA methods, we often organise information or ideas by moving cards or papers around in relation to each other. We put them together by common theme, intent or outcome, and call this process clustering.

Collaboration – working together to achieve an aim.

Consensus – consensus means agreement, especially on a decision or planned action. Consensus may be strong, if everyone is in full agreement on what to do, or it may be weak, if it is a decision or action that everyone has agreed to follow, even if they might personally prefer something else. Democratic voting processes are examples of weak consensus… everybody agrees to abide by the result, even if they don’t like it.

Consensus Workshop method – a core method from the ToP suite of group facilitation methods. Using this method, a facilitator can lead a group to agree their own answers to some important question.

Context – In our group facilitation processes, the context is the first step, including welcoming the group, explaining the subject of the conversation and possibly the aims, outlining the timeline and process, outlining the givens, and helping the group feel comfortable having someone act in the role of a facilitator (contracting).

Contracting – In our group processes, contracting means getting the permission and support of the group, formally or informally, to act in the role of a facilitator and be in charge of the group process.

Coordination – Complex implementation plans will most often need a coordinator, how helps the people or teams carrying out the action communicate with each other and be responsible to each other.

Decisional – In group conversation process, groups reach a decisional stage when they are ready to choose an action, make a decision, or finalise their thoughts on a subject.

Experiential Aim – the intended mood or tone of the group as they are going through a facilitated process, such as “feel energised and excited about moving forward” or “feel supported and cared for in a tough situation.”

Facilitation - The act of making something easier. In the context of group work, facilitation means guiding the group through a process to achieve their aim, such as having a conversation, making a decision, or planning for action. Facilitation is process-focused, working to encourage participation and maintain a neutral point of view, and is therefore distinct from moderating, chairing, training, mediating, or coaching.

Facilitative Leader – someone tasked with helping a group achieve work together, usually to carry out a project, programme or task, who is committed to leading in a facilitative style, so that everyone in the group is able to help make decisions and plans together.

Facilitator – the person who guides a group through a facilitation process, working to gain participation and consensus. Usually the facilitator stays neutral to the content of the discussion, not putting in his or her own preferences or biases.

Focus question – ICA workshops often use a focus question to define the topic to be discussed. Usually, answering the focus question is an important part of the group’s rational aim. The focus question might be simple (what is our favourite pizza) or complicated (what are the key actions we need to take now to meet our fundraising goals in the final quarter of 2013?). The focus question must be carefully crafted to meet the needs of the group.

Focused Conversation Method or ORID .– one of the core methods of ICA’s Technology of Participation (ToP) group facilitation methods. Using this method, a facilitator can lead a group through a meaningful, participatory conversation, without getting stuck or going in circles, leading to a natural ending with an appropriate decision or action.

Givens – the facts of what we already know about a situation. In our Action Planning process, we start by reviewing what decisions have already been made about the project, what resources are available, who is involved, etc.

Group Process – in our group facilitation work, Group Process is the steps that a group goes through to help them have a conversation, make a decision, plan for action, or meet some other aim. The process is distinguished from the content of the discussion, which is the actual subject under discussion, including the information, feelings, opinions, and decisions about that subject.

Hierarchical – the traditional model of top-down leadership, with one person at the top of an organisational structure receiving information and making decisions, and those underneath carrying out action and reporting back.

Implementation – Implementation is the stage that comes after a facilitated event, the stage of actually carrying out the agreed decisions. All of our methods have an element of deciding what is next, and what actions need to be taken, which is planning for implementation.

Interpretive – in our group conversation processes, interpretive information is about why and how things happen, and including learning, logical connections, analysis, interpretation and significance.

Naming – In ICA processes, when group finds a common theme in their ideas, they work together to name this theme in way that represents the consensus.

Objective – this word can have many meanings! In our group facilitation processes objective information is the basic factual information about a subject which should be reviewed and understood at the start of a process.

Ownership – this term means possessing something and having control over it. In group process work, we use this term to mean that a group feels like the decision or plan is their decision or plan, leading to a strong sense of identity with the plan and greater commitment to implementation.

Participation – participation means being involved. In the context of group work at ICA, participation means making sure everyone in the room is able to take part in the discussion, expressing their views and having their input seriously considered. In general, ICA believes that people have a right to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives, and we work to make that possible.

Rational Aim – The outcome or practical goal of a group process, such as “make a decision about the issue”, “agree the new organisational mission” or “create a plan for delivering the project”

Reflective – In our group processes, reflective information is information that comes from feelings, gut instincts, memories or associations from the past. It is important to consider the emotions people have about the subject under discussion, because if they are hidden, it may lead to conflict or difficulty later!

Resolve – Many ICA group processes end with a resolve section, in which the facilitator helps the group discuss the significance of what has been accomplished and agree any final next steps.

Stakeholders – all the people who have an interest or a say in the subject being discussed.

The Historical Scan – An ICA method for helping groups review and remember the story of their past and what got them to the current point. This method is also sometimes called the “Wall of Wonder”

Vision – an agreed ideal end point. In our action planning process, we help the group create a vision of what the outcome will be after the plan is carried out. The vision may not be realistic and it may never be totally achieved, but it serves as an ideal guide for what the group wants to do.