Cows, learning and networks
Maybe this won’t be so bad, I told myself. Having never handled a cow, I prepared to harness and pill Beetle 1300 pound Holstein in the dairy barns. Sure, I have read about it, was in lecture about it, talked about it and practiced on big plastic cattle heads, but I have never really done it. Two of my classmates, whom I have worked with before decided that Beetle looked like a nice enough cow to work with as well. “Ok, who’s first?” I asked. No one volunteered, one studied her boots. “Ok, I guess I’ll have a go.” I said.
“Easy Beetle,” I crooned. As she lifted her head, I slipped the halter over her nose and then over her ears and pulled tight. She slightly protested, but then resigned to the restraint. “Good! Ok, now pill her.” said my instructor. “You can do it, don't let her think about it; quick now, you know what to do.” encouraged a classmate. I moved forward and reached over her head hooking my hand around the corner of her mouth and upper palate on the opposite side and gripping firmly. I leaned back, pulling her head to her shoulder and into my torso as I leaned back. Beetle was not to happy about this and even less so when I inserted the 18 inch metal pilling gun into the side of her mouth. She attempted to throw her head away from me, which took me off of my feet. ” Stay with her!” I faintly heard my instructor say. I was hanging on for dear life. One more good tug back and she settled. I ejected the pill, pulled out the pilling gun and let her head go. All my classmates around me and my instructor complimented my work.
I backed away and let the next student give her a go. She looked at me sheepishly. "It's easy, just trust your training." I encouraged her. As I did, I thought about the importance of this experience. As I reflect on that course and the others in the Veterinary Technology program, I am grateful for the support around me.
The intensity of the program is quelled by the support and encouragement, not only dolled out by the staff, but my fellow classmates. Without this network, I don’t feel the program or classes would be as effective. This support group is invaluable, and is enhanced through communication and group training. I feel that even beyond the school, this network and training to support an effective network will always be with me.
Networked learning is truly a feedback system of connections. It is characterized as learning by the use and exchange of knowledge in any framework. The special thing about it is that it is not a “spoon fed” variety of information which is an old form of teaching. It is an interactive form, in which those who give information open the flow of ideas between all parties involved. This aids those to help each other understand, such as something as simple as helping a fellow student define an unknown word, to explaining a system in a different way which helps another person understand.
This can also cause potential misinformation, and the changing of information. For instance Wikipedia is open to editing. I have personally experienced people changing historical information on this widely used network to suit their own needs. However, the positives in this system by far outweigh any difficulties there may be in group dynamics.
I have always thrived in these kinds of environments I just never had a label for it. Having thought about and reflected on my journey through this university and the veterinary technology program, I have found that ultimately the element of the relationship is the key to the success of this process, not necessarily the process itself. Anyone can read a book and learn about any subject, but being surrounded by those who are sharing the same experiences and interacting within that subject and group are irreplaceable.