Putting up scaffolding for next course The birdbox became a metaphor for me on how to relate to people I was to teach or to counsel (students or clients). For a long time I felt it most correct to give priority to the most traditional channel which was a "pouring in", programming, controlling and correcting one way communication. My curiosity, however, made me try to come closer individually to both pupils and different sorts of persons. Step by step I found a supplementing relation channel, - which I realized could be regarded the main channel. On this channel it is not the first thing to do to tell them what I want them to know and to learn and to do. The first thing is for me to listen to them when they tell about their interests and knowledge, to read their reactions, to respect their resources, to learn to know them. I also was both thrilled and very happy when I experienced how they became more selfconscious and motivated for work and communication when they found I was really serious when I paid a special interest and resepct to each of them. Some of my friends on the internet, gave me supporting replies, found "the birdbox metaphor" phrase provoking and wanted "to hear more of my voice". Then I found it is "now or never", and I started to write on this thing which I called an interactive essay. By that I meant that I will write by small steps (phases) and publish each of them at once, piece by piece - not first write it all "at home" and then publish a completed and polished article. I try to do it this way for two reasons: A) I spend a rather great part of my life on the Net, and by sort of intuition (right or wrong?) I imagine that an open writing process is very suitable/usable on the Net. B) When I write in this way, I do not have to imagine I have some ghost readers, but the readers really are there. And "the interactivity" I have experienced during all my writings all the time on the Net (10 years?), will appear by their feedbacks and comments. During the metaphor writing this far, the encouraging responses have been quite overwhelming. And a third reason: It is a good thing for the writing to be out there on the playground together with all the others, just as a part of the noisy environment, a member of the community, feeling at home, belonging to the tribe, a duck on the pond swimming around quacking with its relatives - and not at all all the time being the star of the show. I have, since I started on this essay, tried to take my time, to be playing and discovering, - though, during this first phases I have had the notion "metaphor" in focus. And I have asked, and wondered: Will the metaphor have its own dynamics, not only being a polite servant, but taking over the lead and open up for views I did not realise were there? I.e.: I had planned that after this first part on the "nature of metaphors", I would write about some practical techniques (for teachers mostly, but also for people and advisors) on how to train oneself in becoming better on empathy(!). Because this perspective was so very important for me when I felt I at last discovered it, a few years before I had to withdraw and become a retired pensioner, this writing should be sort of my pedagogical testament! When I after the first dozen of phases came closer to that I had to start on this "manual", I felt my ideas became fainter, and I wondered if I (also this time) should just give in walking to the road's end. The last days I have had unclear symptoms of that the sort of pregnancy I was about to carry out, would appear to be something different from what I expected. During this day, Friday the 13th of June 2003, I have been meditating intensively, - and suddenly I saw what was the next challenge to face: If I all the time so very warmly am inviting individuals to inhabit my birdbox for learning sessions and/or counselling service (and some really are accepting my invitation), then what about myself? I thought everyone should learn how I practised myself for a birdbox, - but suddenly the flying hole opened in front of myself: Please enter, be my client! Could be I have more questions to ask as a client, than answers to give as an advisor? And might it be that my questions will bear the answers, - that my questions have to be asked before I know the replies? It's time to scaffold for the next course. Trusting that if I continue the birdbox writing, the metaphor will be ready to enlighten and convey! Bjørke, 13th June 2003 Enok Kippersund The young starlings, 7th June, the day before they flew off their box. I was too late to get another picture of the titmice kids. Their box was empty when I took off the lid to snap them. The only thing left was an imprint of an embryo at the bottom of their collective nest bed, like a fossil, telling that one of the hatch did not do it. By the black-and-white flycatcher, the eggs have just broken and the incredibly small and tiny ones are there in a swept together shivering heap, the yellow lines here and there in the embryonic mound indicating where snapping clever beaks will develop. (Photo: E.K.) |
