Shadows, Reflection and Light in a Glass Hallway

Abstract

Through this paper and film, we wish to make visible our individual and collective explorations during our inquiry into a particular place; a location on campus that drew us in because of its alluring structure and elusive light. Inspired by the image of a teacher as researcher, we students channeled our potential to be innovative teachers capable of discovering newness. With this in mind, we embarked on a five-week journey that invited us to build a meaningful relationship with our environment. Engaging with the group’s moments of tension and wonderment, this paper and film provides insight into the observations and recordings of our single and shared interpretations. It demonstrates our attentiveness to our relation to the place, time, surroundings, materials and ourselves, and how this supported the embracing of our imaginations. We were enticed to enter a dialogue with the place and through reflective writing and visual expression we came to understand the sensorial connections that exist, or have the potential to exist, between people and place. Using the tools of photography, video and art to capture traces of our process, as well as documentation as a tool to provoke continuous critical reflection, we situated ourselves as teacher- researchers. Our multiple perspectives allowed us to encounter the transformative qualities of place and to witness their capacity to be memory creators and holders. Practicing this narrative approach to pedagogy brought forth an awareness and value of the relationships that exist in our everyday.