Yesterday I was part of the earlier skype session, and there were only three of us students (Elissavet, Katya, and I) on there, which allowed for a much more detailed discussion than is normally possible! We started out as normal, discussing a miscellaneous thought or two, and then quickly moving into talking about our various modules--our research for Elissavet and I, and the most recent AOL for Katya. We all summarized our work, some more succinctly than others (aka, well done Elissavet and Katya, not so much me), and then got summaries and/or questions from the other two as to what was heard.
I found it quite interesting to attempt to summarize everything succinctly and clearly for several reasons. Attempt being the key word, as I don't think I succeeded. The first reason was obvious to me--I'm not a morning person, and I don't do well thinking in academic language at 4 in the morning! Another is that I've spent so much time recently figuring out how to explain things in the most basic, pared down language for quick conversations with those who aren't particularly interested in the academic minutiae of it all. That's been really fun to figure out, actually. It's made me think about what the absolute core of my inquiry is and how to express that in very plain language that's accessible to those not in my field (or who are very young). It was odd, though valuable, to switch back into academic minutiae.
But the other reason I spent some time thinking about yesterday, and I think it comes down to me struggling to express things verbally if I haven't written them down yet. I noticed the two areas I've written down in the draft thus far were the two areas I unintentionally focused on; the areas I haven't yet begun writing I found very hard to synthesize on the spot. For some reason, I'm having a very difficult time doing my analysis this time around unless I make myself write it out and form the sentences and paragraphs while I'm thinking. I've always been much better at written than oral communication, but this is another level.
It feels backward; shouldn't I have something to say before I say it? But that's not the process this time, and my thoughts are feeling very tangled. How does one communicate clearly when the thoughts behind the communication are not yet clear? It's one thing when you're in a 1-on-1 conversation with a friend or a colleague and they know you're processing verbally while you're talking to them. It's another thing, an embarrassing thing, when you need to have it all just so and instead the thoughts come out like spaghetti because they are, in fact, just like spaghetti.
I can only hope I can get them untangled in this weird, backward process of writing-analyzing-writing-analyzing soon. I would really love to hear others' thoughts on all this... do you find writing or speaking easier? Which helps you to untangle your thoughts better? And how have you worked at getting better at the harder one (because I'm totally stealing your tips, if you have any to offer)?
Hi Hannah, thank you for posting! I can so relate, to what you write, I also often feel, that when I try to express myself verbally it all gets tangled up. Somehow writing is easier, because you have more time to think about it and put some order into your thoughts. I felt really uncomfortable talking in the Skype discussions in the beginning , but even though I still don't feel at ease, I start to see that I do learn from it, sometimes even though in the moment of talking my words seem to make little sense, the process of talking about something, seems to clear my thoughts, or at least I see more clearly, where things are foggy for myself, this allows me to take another look at them. I don't really have any tips (looking forward if any one else has ;-)!), but maybe just, that we probably shouldn't put to much pressure on ourselves, since when reading other peoples blogs it seems like most of us have similar feelings.
ReplyDeleteHi Agata and Hannah! You girls are lucky. I feel like I am rambling both in verbal discussions and when I am writing. I feel this type of academic work is challenging in particular because we are not only reading like crazy, we are truly tying in ideas from past ans present experiences. The resulting effect could be truly amazing. I hope we will be able to express and understand with clarity our work and process as dancers- this is so important and it is very difficult to do. However, the construction of this understanding is rather complex. Especially since we each have such a unique journey.
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah, Agata and Mariannella! Thankas Hannah for saying that I was able to share my inquiry theme because I felt that there was incomprehension at that moment. I felt that I was rambling too and the structure of my sentences was a small disaster!haha I am in the same page as you, it is so difficult to communicate your ideas like that. An oral communication of ideas in an academic setting is certainly tough. I also struggle with the analysis, especially with the triangulation of data and I have no idea about the artefact. I think that during Skype meetings we feel shy to share our ideas but even that is a type of learning. Don't you think?
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah, thank you for this honest post... and how nice to see that others are having the same struggles ;-) I believe that we are dancers for a good reason... verbally communicating is not the most easiest way of communication for everyone and I guess that is what makes communication sometimes complicated or/and exciting. As for myself, if I am to talk about my research today, I sometimes don't manage to say more than two sentences... as if I forgot all about my research. If I am however talking to colleagues about a similar subject, or reflecting about my classes, I can go on forever and keep developing my research even a year after handing in my work. So, for me I think it is a question of context and state of mind. If I'm in the field, it is way easier to talk about a certain subject. As for tips to untangle thoughts, I always had to draw them, illustrate everything on a paper. Combined with notes and signs, I then slowly sorted them out until I had a clear and structured development of thoughts with keywords. Good look untangling your thoughts! (P.s. Sometimes, thoughts need to rest for some days... :-) )
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah, I think the spagetti think is normal. I describe it early in the week as having my angles tied in knots, so similar! I think if we just keep looking at the data, mulling it over, rethinking, rewriting, more rethinking, more rewriting we will have an enormous word count to add to and then pluck out the relevant parts that coherently make sense before we rethink, rewrite, and start again!!!! I can feel your pain. We will get there I'm sure. I'm so tired and loving every minute!! Keep in touch, blog again and see you in a few weeks - I hope! x
ReplyDeletewouldn't it be wonderful that instead writting and expressing ourselves, we could have the time to carefully choreograph what we want to communicate and then hold skype meetings showcasing the interpretive dance, sort of like charades? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks to all of you who commented; I never expected such a large response!! It sounds like many of us have this issue, and it's encouraging to know I'm not the only one.
ReplyDeleteBut Dave, oh no, the thought of charades instead of discussion makes my heart quiver in terror. Nooooooope, haha!