Being fish : sounding the depts in the reflecting pools of lifelong learning
Date
1996
Authors
De Champlain, Dianne Mary
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This autobiographical research reflects an adult learner exploring the leaning of (her) life experiences to deepen (her) understanding. The writer's exploration began with a call to "Be Fish." The metaphor of fish helped her to shift perspective, and helped her to see what was hidden from view beneath the surface of her everyday life. She explored literature that refers Ito fish, including the story of Parsival and his encounters with the Fisher King, the story of Merlyn changing Wart (the future King Arthur) into a fish, as well as references to fish by Virginia Woolf, A.S. Byatt, and a Tlingit legend. Through transposing these stories into and onto her life, she comes to see how the theme of separation has played out in (her) life, and she recognizes relationship with other as a way of (re)connecting.
In the work, notions of adult learning are recognized: transformation(al learning), adult development, experiential learning, professional development and self-directed learning, for reviewing the literature on adult education, the importance of considering context is noted. The process of learning that is demonstrated and the insights in the thesis are provocative for adult learners and educators. Autobiographical writing and research may be seen as a form of ongoing professional development.