Category Archives: Aesthetics

What we can learn from a bike?

Posted on May 6, 2013 by

There is literally nothing that the Dutch won’t do with a bike. Here’s a short list of things i’ve seen people carrying around Amsterdam: the shopping, a large bunch of tulips, a dog in the wicker basket on the handlebars, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptability, Aesthetics, Agile, Apps, Bike, Cycle, Effectiveness, Innovation, Learning Technology, Mobile Learning, Usability, Utility | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Learning from art: social learning in museums and the difference between virtual and real

Posted on March 20, 2013 by

Seeking inspiration yesterday, i ventured into the Stedilijk museum in Amsterdam. It promised to help me in two ways: a world class collection of modern art and unlimited free WiFi. The perfect destination. We appreciate art on two levels: the … Continue reading →

Posted in Aesthetics, Art, Collaboration, Community, Concepts, Creative, Environment, Experience, Exploration, Formal Spaces, History, Knowledge, Learning, Meaning, Museum Education, Narrative, Nuance, Social Learning, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How do we communicate? A song about the languages of learning

Posted on February 27, 2013 by

I’m editing my new book on ‘music in learning‘ and trying to draw out my thoughts into some practical models around the subject. Part of this involves trying to characterise how we use different the different languages of learning to … Continue reading →

Posted in Aesthetics, Agile, Art, Creative, Effectiveness, Experience, Graffiti, Haiku, Instructional Design, Learning, Learning Design, Meaning, Media, Message, Music, Narrative, Performance, Poetry, Songs, Stories, Storytelling, Twitter, Voice, Words, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Music and learning: drawing my conclusions

Posted on February 21, 2013 by

Today i’m finishing the first draft of my book on ‘music in learning’. In this chapter, i’m drawing the ideas together: in many ways, it’s the most fun part to write. This is the first draft of that chapter: This … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Aesthetics, Book, Communication, Concepts, Creative, Dance, Experience, Knowledge, Learning, Message, Music, Painting, Performance, Poetry, Publishing, Songs, Stories, Teaching, Technology, Words, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Music in learning: formal education

Posted on February 20, 2013 by

This week i’m working to finish my new book on ‘music in learning’. It’s based on interviews with musicians and music fans to understand how the process of learning music, of creating music, has changed them. Throughout this week i’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Aesthetics, Art, Book, Creative, Experience, Language, Learning, Meaning, Music, School, Stories, Teaching, Writing | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

The senses of learning: touch

Posted on November 30, 2012 by

I have only thrown one pot in my life, a rather lumpy green affair, but nonetheless, it holds pride of place on a shelf, testament to a liberal schooling system and limitless enthusiasm. This morning i was listening to an … Continue reading →

Posted in Aesthetics, Art, Community, Craftsman, Global, Heritage, Learning, Narrative, Perception, Sensation, Touch | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The languages of learning: manga

Posted on October 31, 2012 by

Manga is an art-form without taboos, a free flowing comic book style that is unafraid to tackle challenging subjects. Unlike Disney, which is constrained by child friendly certification, manga is free to roam wherever it chooses. It’s stylised, often gritty, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aesthetics, Art, Choreography, Comic Book, Communication, Creative, Culture, Integrity, Language, Learning, Manga, Narrative, Performance, Stories, Storytelling | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Learning with music

Posted on October 15, 2012 by

The following article is a collaboration between Julian and Sarah Ackroyd. Sarah is a director of the Centre for Mentoring and Coaching, as well as being a talented musician. Sarah and Julian are both passionate about music. It engages us … Continue reading →

Posted in Aesthetics, Coaching, Collaboration, Communication, Creative, Difference, Environment, Familiarity, Formal Spaces, Informal Spaces, Learning, Music, Performance, Songs | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Mood lighting: the importance of the learning environment

Posted on August 29, 2012 by

Whilst i was away last week, my favourite cafe disappeared. Quite a shock to the system to find that, today, i am sat in a new space that smells of paint and is altogether smarter than the old one. Sure, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aesthetics, Change, Coffee, Community, Design, Formal Spaces, Functional Design, Graphic Design, Informal Spaces, Learning, Social Learning | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Sign here: pride in learning design

Posted on July 10, 2012 by

When the design for the Apple Macintosh was complete, Steve Jobs had the small team sign a piece of paper, then engraved the signatures on the inside of the case of every machine that went out of the factory. Painters … Continue reading →

Posted in Aesthetics, Art, Brand, Creative, Design, Education, Identity, Inspiration, Learning, Learning Design, Pride | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments