How does the role of space/place affect a learner’s ability to dialogue with oneself? How does the role or dynamic of reflection shift among different types of spaces or places? How does the role of the people in a particular space/place shape the apprehension of a particular environment – for example, being in a crowded library versus an empty one?

           In classical Roman religion and the ancient world, the word genius was not used about individual people. Still, it was used about places, almost always with the word loci meaning the spirit of a place. That intuitively means we all have favourite places in the world: seashore, beach, creek, my living room floor. I silently dialogue with myself, laying on the living room floor, stereo tuned to meditative music, yoga mat spread out and slowly stretching. My genius is my connection to meaning just for myself.

           Change my dynamic of reflection to other moments when I have felt fully alive—careening down a 60-degree rollercoaster at the Calgary Stampede. Sights, sounds, smells stopped me in my tracks when learning was visceral. Asking the question, “What the hell am I doing on this crazy ride?” Other people shaped my environment by adding to the energy and excitement. I observed people laugh, cry, yell for joy, yell for a saviour, and thanked the almighty the ride was over, and they survived the experience.

           In contrast, I returned to Calgary in Summer 2019 and visited the neighbourhood I grew up. While alone, I drove and walked the familiar and unfamiliar feeling both delighted and disconcerted. The place of learning is where we are from and where we are going, where it can be old and new at the same time.

           I dialogue with myself all the time. My inside voice is called “Hal,” who is the Heuristically Programmed Algorithmic Computer appearing in the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Hal controls the systems of the spacecraft and interacts with the astronaut crew. Hal has been with me for many years and visits me from time to time when I invite him to see me in my “place.”  

           “Place is central to human development; it is how we comprehend the world; it asks for our attention and care. If we pay attention, place has much to teach us.” (VanderArk, Liebtag, & McClennen, 2020, p. xii).

References

Genius loci (2020, December 21). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genius_loci

HAL 9000 (2021, January 29). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAL_9000#:~:text=First%20appearing%20in%20the%201968,with%20the%20ship’s%20astronaut%20crew.

Vander Ark, T., Liebtag, E. & McClennen, N. (2020).  The power of place: Authentic learning through place-based education. ASCD.