A wander is good for us in so many ways but it’s not always possible to wander outside. But that doesn’t mean we can’t still go for a walk inside. Switch off your devices and have a few moments being present and moving in a way that feels good for you. Try some of these …
We need to fail in order to learn. Failure is part of trying new things and moving forward. But how comfortable do we feel talking about and sharing our failures? We (Professor Susannah Quinsee and I) made this the theme of our SEDA conference walk in November: Walking as a tool for reflective practice. Delegates …
We are a group of self-bosses, winding our way through the blustery Olympic Park connecting and sharing with each other. We all work for ourselves, usually on our own, and enjoy walking and talking. Beyond that we are a diverse group working within a range of businesses and sectors interested in supporting each other, learning, discovering, …
Regents Park on a week day afternoon in November. Impressions: Alive with light and walkers. Carpets of every colour leaves. Shimmering water. Man in a jumper with a fox on it feeding a squirrel. Dogs. Joggers. Photographers. Fountains. Gardens. Bird feeding, duck feeding, honking geese. Sculpture trail. Expansive space that feels like coming …
East London Cemetery on a weekday morning in October. Impressions: Raining Autumn leaves, leaf blowing, pots and pots of fake flowers, newly planted trees, old trees, rose bushes, chapels. Hundreds of names and stories and stones, hundreds of sadnesses, love, shock, relief, fractured families, private and public histories. Deflated balloons from remembered birthdays, oranges, incense, …
Altab Ali Park on a week day late morning in October. Impressions: “The shade of my tree is offered to those who come and go fleetingly” from a Bengali poem. Remains of the Whitechapel white chapel. Fragments of historical decoration. East London cultures. Pigeons feasting on bread. Cigarette butts. Smokers. Beer bottle tops. Man sleeping on …
Battersea Park on a week day afternoon in October. Impressions: Groomed fancy leadless dogs. Many busy squirrels. Parakeets. Sub tropical plants. Mediterranean plants. Hidden sculptures. Decorative fountains. Quiet. Restorative. Surprising. Wide walkways. Wide water. Reflections. Bright algae. Ducks. Geese. Heron. Windy pathways. Deep with trees. Question: Walking, talking and laughing with a friend I haven’t …
West Ham Park on a late midday October morning. Impressions: Birds. Robin. Pigeons. Magpies. So many squirrels. Gaudy flowers. Berries. Fiery leaves. Green, yellow, orange, red. Falling leaves. Fallen acorns and conkers. Peace. Beauty. Names scratched into trees. Prams. Hoodies. Headscarves. Uniformed school boys learning outside. Running and yelling. Footballing kids in high vis …
The evidence in support of walking as benefiting our physical and mental health as well as our ability to think is overwhelming. Walking is something that we can all do and can do anywhere. The streets or green spaces outside our homes or offices are open playgrounds for the wonderful practice of walking and learning …
Walking can add a dynamic element to the learning experience and can be particularly effective for active learning, creativity and reflective practice. A University campus or city offer a variety of spaces for free roaming and stimulating sights and artefacts. This post shares some guidance on planning a walking activity. If you have experienced walking …