Learning by Michael Uchikura

Cows and Fish Workshop

Tell us a bit about yourself?
I'm second generation Japanese Canadian, grew up on a farm, went to school in a small town in Southern Alberta. As a youngster I kept myself occupied with all the interesting things a farm could provide, lots of cuts and bruises. Long story short, all those outdoor excursions most likely played a big part in me becoming a biologist.

Why did you choose this story to tell?
I think I decided on this one because I feel it says a lot about myself. Growing up, there wasn't always alot of verbal communication, yet messages where always being relayed. This required a different kind of focus, the intent of the message being more direct and not filtered through the step of speaking. Learning through observation requires all the senses to be alert - knowing me, if I had to rely on just one, I wouldn't have learned much! Anyways, whether I knew it at the time or not, growing up watching my mom work provided me with many life lessons. Not that I'm saying this is the way it should be, or that it was the best way - it's just the way it happenned for me.

How do you think you have changed as a result of making or telling this story?
Creating this story has allowed me to add one more dimension to my own learning process - putting things into words :) Can't avoid it - writing, verbal communication is a major way of communicating, I'm constantly trying to become a more effective communicator - it's been fun!