Heal-O #9: Learning with a loupe

Who knew something like jewelry loupes can provide a different lens and shape thoughts on different aspects of curriculum, learning, and personal reflection? During this class, we had the opportunity to look at different objects using a jewelry loupe. Our instructor, Kathryn, lead us through an exercise known as the “Private Eye – Looking/Thinking by Analogy”.

[Loupe & supplies. Source: LM, Jan 25, 2014]

..:: Through the loupe ::..  

First, we used a loupe to examine our hand and palm. What did I see?

I started looking at the lines that spread across my palm. Words I used to describe this were: roads, a map, rivers, forks in the road, endless possibilities, journey, crossing paths, exploration, and adventure. Each line I followed lead to a different path that leads to a multitude of other pathways and possibilities. Phrases like, journey is a destination” and “a unique journey on every palm” popped up in my head during this exercise. The loupe magnified these pathways  [five times] and helped me focus my view. Analogically speaking, it made me think about my current situation in terms of the different possible pathways for next steps in my education and career that I am hesitant but intrigued to explore.

[Loupe focusing on a shell. Source: LM, Jan 25, 2014]

In line with this analogy of pathways and journeys from my palm, I had a similar analogy for the object that we looked at next. I had brought in a shell that a good friend of mine gave me from a trip he went to, a shell (I can’t remember where!).  This is a part of what I wrote in our “free write” after the observations of seeing this through the loupe:

"Through the loupe, this shell is not a shell to me. It is multiple pathways – each person has their own pathway leading to the same thing in the end. That ‘end’ point does not matter because we are all heading in the same direction in life – it is the journey that counts. There are grooves, dark spots, and some guck on different parts of the shell that represent life obstacles and opportunities along the way. These “paths” are so close together that at any time, we can choose to hop onto the next path, change our life course, and continue our journey until we feel like we reached a destination."

[Source: LM, Jan 25, 2014]

[Source: LM, Jan 25, 2014]

I love using analogies; sometimes I may be over-thinking it. But using these loupes to look at an object as simple as a shell, a leaf, a rock, or anything at all, can provide a different perspective and frame of mind. It allows you to focus on the miniscule details that we may not glance twice at. It provides the opportunity to closely observe one aspect of your thoughts or explore an inquiry that is quite removed from the actual object at hand but allows exploration in such depth. Oftentimes, we don’t have that opportunity to stop and focus on something in this way. Interestingly, the little tool (loupe), along with a wonderful facilitator, can create such a mental adventure.

..:: Dewey and the loupe ::..  

This exercise made me think about John Dewey’s piece, “MyPedagogical Creed”, where he brings up his beliefs on the relationship between education, the student, and the educational process. In particular, he speaks about the educational process being a result of a student’s psychological and sociological aspects of learning. He indicates that “…education must begin with a psychological insight into the child’s capacities, interests, and habits”. This relates to my analogy on journeys and pathways of the shell. Each individual has their own pathway, but they may not know what that pathway entails. Therefore, it is important for educators (whether that is formally known like a teacher, or informally known like a friend) to foster opportunities for children to explore and be curious about their own pathway of learning. It is important for there to be acceptance of uncertainty of what pathway in learning they are on and for there to be support for those who decide to change pathways.

Dewey also brought up that schools are a form of community life and not just a place to learn. I completely agree with this. Schools present opportunities to foster social connectedness among students, instructors, administrators, and community members. A student is part of a larger community. When looking (not literally) at students without the perspective of a loupe, we may see them as part of a larger picture of learning. When we focus on the student “with a loupe” we may see that student and their learning in a whole new light.

..:: Learning with a loupe ::.. 

I end this post off with a poem that summarizes my experience:

A shell is a storyteller about pathways and journeys in life.

A leaf is a platform for choices and decisions.

A string is a river of possibilities.

A palm is a map of your adventure.

Loupes are guides that inspire your curiosity and creativity.

Let the loupe lure you in life-long learning. 

[Sketch of the shell. Source: LM, Jan 25, 2014]