Abstract concepts...
Hi All,
I'm doing some research into the cognitive aspects of training and I thought I'd trouble you all for a bit of in-put. What I'm looking for is examples of the use of abstract concepts in teaching/learning.
By this I mean the things that you and/or your teachers may use from time to time to convey understanding in aspects of training that tend to defy verbal description - the kind of things that convey a 'feeling' rather than the mechanics of the technique. A typical example would be the famous Bruce Lee line, "be like water".
I realise that this can be a sensitive issue since opinions are generally split on whether such advice is an aid to learning or a convenient way for a teacher to sound wise whilst hiding the gaps in their knowledge. However, if it's at all possible, I'd like to avoid that kind of discussion.
What I'd like to get is a few examples of abstracts suggested to and/or used by you, whether you found them a help or a hindrance and perhaps why in either case.
Since it's in the nature of abstracts to concentrate on the feeling of the technique rather than it's mechanics, in-depth explanations of techniques is not necessary, but please feel free to give a much detail as you feel necessary.
Lastly, I realise that some of you may feel rightly protective of your teaching methods and uncomfortable with disseminating them in a public forum - if so, please feel free to contact me by PM.
Thanks all in advance.
Later
George Hyde
UCL, ULU, SOAS Dojo
British Shorinji Kempo Federation