Most of us in this doctoral program are accustomed to being at the front of the room, so of course, it has been interesting to watch how our group dynamics unfold as participants, not as facilitators.
It’s natural to assume a role within a group – some are more formal; others more informal. So far, my role has been that of observer. I’ve been interested in who speaks up a lot, what they say, and why they’re saying what they say.
Part of why I’ve taken on the observer role is that I’m absorbing the complex language and theories of adult education. This is still foreign to me, although familiarity frequently springs to the surface as I recognize the underlying principles that I use in my work.
In any case, the continuing evolution of our roles will be fascinating since we’re in such an intimate learning situation for an extended period of time. I’m sure I’ll have more to say about this.
