At last my PDA is finished and in the post First class recorded. I have completed this in 8 months rather than the 2 years allowed. Lots of hard work while also untertaking year one of the BA degree at the same time. Today I just hav the marking for SQA to do and then its back to the current module of the BA. Plan to have it finished for next monday.
I have noticed that some other researchers are making comments that this module was not timed right. As they are in a school environment holidays etc were a problem. Holidays provided me with a greater number of children to take part in the trial as I cared for them over the holidays.
Never mind back to work and head down to finish this module and start the next. The next one is the last in the first year. Hip Hip hurray. I don`t know what I am going to do with my time over the summer. i may introduce myself to my family, cook some decent meals and even tidy my house - What a treat for us all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
back at the old grind stone again
Have been busy with the food trials and have now completed them. Everything went well, kids loved food, parents loved the ease of it all and the knowledge that their child was eating healthy food. I am knackered. I have been running about making all sort of lovely home made food and then when the children go away I have been eating rubbish as I am too knackered to prepare all the nice stuff for my family. If I am to continue this as an ongoing service, I will have to be more organised. i usually am and do batch cooking etc but somehow my brain has been frazzled by the whole thing. So frazzled in fact that I think I even agreed to continue providing food. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. It will be worth it in the end I think. Just think lovely healthy children growing up but a frazzled childminder in an early grave. There has to be an easier way to earn a living.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Phewwwwwwwwwwwwww
Pheww such a lot going on. Tax man at my heels for the end of year return so have spent 2 days sorting that out. All present and correct and a tax rebate due, how wonderful. Thank God thats finished for another year. College lost my last module of my PDA so have to search for a copy on my computer and through my files. Thank goodness I found a copy last night as just as I submitted that module my computer crashed and I lost all my work. Lucky that was one that I saved before the crash. College has also shortened the deadline for the last module and the professional study by 4 weeks. It is now due on the 12th July. Help ma boab. Luckily Ultraversity has extended the deadline for this module to 20th July, a big help to me.
The food trial is getting on fine and I am nearing the end f the second week. The results have been very much as I anticipated although I think the parents have been a bit surprised, I thought they would be. There has been quite a lot of interest in the healthy eating and some have asked for the results of the trial.
I have loads in my head, some on computer and some in scraps of paper. Need to collate it all but it will have to wait till after the PDFA submission. Phewwwww made me tired even just thinking about all of this.
Together with all this, I have a wedding, silver wedding, jazz festival and visitors galore. Must be the summer season starting in Rothesay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The food trial is getting on fine and I am nearing the end f the second week. The results have been very much as I anticipated although I think the parents have been a bit surprised, I thought they would be. There has been quite a lot of interest in the healthy eating and some have asked for the results of the trial.
I have loads in my head, some on computer and some in scraps of paper. Need to collate it all but it will have to wait till after the PDFA submission. Phewwwww made me tired even just thinking about all of this.
Together with all this, I have a wedding, silver wedding, jazz festival and visitors galore. Must be the summer season starting in Rothesay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Getting on like a house on fire
Im getting on fine with this module. Every thing is just jumping into place which is quite nice for a change. i am hoping not to panic at the last minute and be all up to date with everything.
Questionnaires, menus, permission etc, all done.
Organising the clan gathering in Glasgow on 10th June. So far only 3 scots, the rest from over the border. But hopefully more will come forwars. it would be nice to put the name to the face.
Visitors at the weekend, away next weekend and then hosting a wedding in the garden the following weekend. Busy, Busy time so just hope the weather is good.
Questionnaires, menus, permission etc, all done.
Organising the clan gathering in Glasgow on 10th June. So far only 3 scots, the rest from over the border. But hopefully more will come forwars. it would be nice to put the name to the face.
Visitors at the weekend, away next weekend and then hosting a wedding in the garden the following weekend. Busy, Busy time so just hope the weather is good.
Friday, April 07, 2006
Head Down Now
Getting my head down to the work. Have done loads with the kids, the menus, the questionnaires etc but not actually done much writing up yet. Sent a timeline to H and also posted in the online community. Should be 200 words mine is mear 350 but I know why. I need to take all the questions etc out and put them into my ILP. This will make the word count more realistic. I expect comments on the word count but the final for my assess ent folder will nearer the word limit.
Will do a bit this afternoon if I get a chance but otherwise it is head down for the weekend. Am hoping the weather is appalling and I don`t want to go out and no one comes to visit. A wee spell of the ferries being off for the weekend would suit me fine. No unexpected visitors then.
Oh to be Cut off from the mainland for the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish.
Will do a bit this afternoon if I get a chance but otherwise it is head down for the weekend. Am hoping the weather is appalling and I don`t want to go out and no one comes to visit. A wee spell of the ferries being off for the weekend would suit me fine. No unexpected visitors then.
Oh to be Cut off from the mainland for the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Working away
Working away hard. Decided and started the AE. Nutritional guidance in Early Years. This will tie up with my Professional Development Award at the same time so should kill two birds with one stone. I have started doing the observations on home - provided meals this week and also on behaviour and well being. i have given letters to parets, discussed with the children, made menus, making a display for the playroom wall and and and . Phewwwwwwww very busy this week. What I have not done is do my timeline and give it to H for approval. Am sure he will approve any way. I start the two week food trial next week which should be interesting. Plan to do as much shopping as possible on Saturday for raw ingredients.
Time line has to be with H by Friday so will need to work on that tonight.
Thought this was funny, although others won`t. H is my LF and M is someone else i knows. They have different styles as far as I can see. H is very hands on, supportive ( buts in to conversations to give advice, support and help - I like that) M is more the "find me if you want help" type. - glad he`s not my LF, I like H style better.
One in C5 said " going to as helpful H as given up on missing M". I liked that.
Both seem to be really nice guys and good at their jobs, just different styles.
Time line is target for today and tonight so I better get cracking.
Just thought if M reads the above and takes it the wrong way, I might fail. If I do fail, I might just blame it on M and not on my bad work - only kidding Honest M.
Time line has to be with H by Friday so will need to work on that tonight.
Thought this was funny, although others won`t. H is my LF and M is someone else i knows. They have different styles as far as I can see. H is very hands on, supportive ( buts in to conversations to give advice, support and help - I like that) M is more the "find me if you want help" type. - glad he`s not my LF, I like H style better.
One in C5 said " going to as helpful H as given up on missing M". I liked that.
Both seem to be really nice guys and good at their jobs, just different styles.
Time line is target for today and tonight so I better get cracking.
Just thought if M reads the above and takes it the wrong way, I might fail. If I do fail, I might just blame it on M and not on my bad work - only kidding Honest M.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Welcome Back
Been on my Holidays for a wee while. o peace perfect peace. Life on the canals is fun.
Back to reality and work work work. Thought about my action enquiry throughout my time away and changed my mind a few times. At last decided on the Nutritional guidance for early year. A scottish Executive document about nutrition in early years settings.
Have decided to have a trial of 2 weeks providing food for the children and then use the feedback to assess if the trial was worthwhile and if I will continue to provide the seervice in the future.
One small problem with this is that although I bake my own bread, cakes scones etc, which the children love, the supply of very fresh veg and fruit here is limited. Really bad quality in shops and really an eat it today or else sort of fruit. Can`t ( and don`t want to) grow my own so thias could be a small problem for me. Tinned fruit is okay . It would mean shopping for fruit and veg every day. okay if I have the time but don`t always.
Never mind. I will plan menus etc and see how I get on.
First thing I need to do is do a timeline for H. Got to be done for Friday so I need to get cracking. Will try to complete tonight ( he ha not on your life, but I will try).
Good news is I got a good pass again on the last module. Really really pleased again but no time to celebrate. Got to get my head right down and get on.
Back to reality and work work work. Thought about my action enquiry throughout my time away and changed my mind a few times. At last decided on the Nutritional guidance for early year. A scottish Executive document about nutrition in early years settings.
Have decided to have a trial of 2 weeks providing food for the children and then use the feedback to assess if the trial was worthwhile and if I will continue to provide the seervice in the future.
One small problem with this is that although I bake my own bread, cakes scones etc, which the children love, the supply of very fresh veg and fruit here is limited. Really bad quality in shops and really an eat it today or else sort of fruit. Can`t ( and don`t want to) grow my own so thias could be a small problem for me. Tinned fruit is okay . It would mean shopping for fruit and veg every day. okay if I have the time but don`t always.
Never mind. I will plan menus etc and see how I get on.
First thing I need to do is do a timeline for H. Got to be done for Friday so I need to get cracking. Will try to complete tonight ( he ha not on your life, but I will try).
Good news is I got a good pass again on the last module. Really really pleased again but no time to celebrate. Got to get my head right down and get on.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
The in between times
Last module finished and out of theway ( in time). New module in but too new to really look at too much. i`m still at the read it and now thinking about it stage. I have to do an action inquiry. MMMMMM lots of things I would like to do but really need to think.
PDA module(last one) due mid June as well. For that I have to do a professional study which is just a name for a bit of research. Decided I am going to do "what are the barriers to training for childminders". Got a survey which I am going to carry out. Lots and Lots to get on with. It would be good if I could link the two together.
Had a night off last night, went to the pictures but the film I wanted to see was not on. Never mind. Holidays next week. 2 days and couinting down the minutes.
PDA module(last one) due mid June as well. For that I have to do a professional study which is just a name for a bit of research. Decided I am going to do "what are the barriers to training for childminders". Got a survey which I am going to carry out. Lots and Lots to get on with. It would be good if I could link the two together.
Had a night off last night, went to the pictures but the film I wanted to see was not on. Never mind. Holidays next week. 2 days and couinting down the minutes.
Friday, March 17, 2006
The tortoise on the final stretch
On the final bit of this module. Just about finished, just the tidying up to do. Probably a pass, but not a good one. I don`t care as long as it is a pass. Did`nt need my extension after all. I plan to put the completed work in my final file tonight so that the good fairy can steal it during Monday night.
Ian was my good fairy last time so hope I get one of the good guys again.
Lots of bits to do, but it is the weekend so may treat myself to that glass of wine with my name on it. Pint size tumbler is what I deserve.
Ian was my good fairy last time so hope I get one of the good guys again.
Lots of bits to do, but it is the weekend so may treat myself to that glass of wine with my name on it. Pint size tumbler is what I deserve.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
On the home stretch now.
Finished drafts for LA1/LA2/LA3. Now working on LA4. Put some stuff on for feedback. Why does everyone look so good compared to me. H told me about a great book to read call confidence by Paul McKenna. Going to get it to read on my hols next week. Can`t wait, for hols that is not book.
Will be taking PDA stuff with me and also a copy of the guidelines for the next module. Not sure how much I will get done. Too many pubs with food and wine to visit in one week. maybe not a good idea to take work with me or I may write even more rubbish than usual.
Forgot to say that except for a great big fat disaster, I won`t need the extension.
Hip Hip Hurray.
Will work this afternoon on LA4. Got quotes to use and will get stuck in.
Will be taking PDA stuff with me and also a copy of the guidelines for the next module. Not sure how much I will get done. Too many pubs with food and wine to visit in one week. maybe not a good idea to take work with me or I may write even more rubbish than usual.
Forgot to say that except for a great big fat disaster, I won`t need the extension.
Hip Hip Hurray.
Will work this afternoon on LA4. Got quotes to use and will get stuck in.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Fitting it all in
Did a bucket load of work last night and managed to get a lot typed up. However did not put the snow pictures online or get back to A with feedback on her model - if your reading this it was great and I`ll do it today. Will need to put the snow pictures on or no one will believe me. Meant also to send a B card to DC yesterday. Too many things to do and not enought time.
Spoke to H by e mail last night. I would like him to have a look at some work. Said no problem and he would let IT see it too. OOOOOOOOO that`s the scary bit. Not sure if I am ready to share with I yet.mmmmmmmmm need to work that out.
Got three hours this morning to do stuff and then some time this evening. Hope to be on the home stretch. Would LOVE to have completed 123 by tonight and spend WED/THU doing 4 and then send FRI. Hows that for an action plan? Anyone that knows me will know that things NEVER run smoothly for me. I seem to jump from one crisis to another. Holidays in 12 days and counting.
Spoke to H by e mail last night. I would like him to have a look at some work. Said no problem and he would let IT see it too. OOOOOOOOO that`s the scary bit. Not sure if I am ready to share with I yet.mmmmmmmmm need to work that out.
Got three hours this morning to do stuff and then some time this evening. Hope to be on the home stretch. Would LOVE to have completed 123 by tonight and spend WED/THU doing 4 and then send FRI. Hows that for an action plan? Anyone that knows me will know that things NEVER run smoothly for me. I seem to jump from one crisis to another. Holidays in 12 days and counting.
Monday, March 13, 2006
And another crisis
Apart from all the lovely snow yesterday, it was a bit of a disaster for getting work done. Actually did quite a lot but not as much as I wanted.
I thought i had done quite well and was on the right track with things, then Ags sent me hers for a look and I started to doubt myself. KL put her stuff up for comment and it is superb. I think I have lost the plot and am away on anoher planet. My work looks nothing like theirs. OOOOOOps I might be wrong. Think I might just have to ask H to have a look and see if my interpretation is okay.
I`m sure somewhere ages ago I said that I was not going to look at other researchers work because it scares me so much. There I go again. Just can`t keep my big nose out. Will I EVER learn. Probably not.
Will work tonight and ignore chats and message boards and the like. Bit too easily distracted I`m afraid
I thought i had done quite well and was on the right track with things, then Ags sent me hers for a look and I started to doubt myself. KL put her stuff up for comment and it is superb. I think I have lost the plot and am away on anoher planet. My work looks nothing like theirs. OOOOOOps I might be wrong. Think I might just have to ask H to have a look and see if my interpretation is okay.
I`m sure somewhere ages ago I said that I was not going to look at other researchers work because it scares me so much. There I go again. Just can`t keep my big nose out. Will I EVER learn. Probably not.
Will work tonight and ignore chats and message boards and the like. Bit too easily distracted I`m afraid
Sunday, March 12, 2006
working hard
Am working hard to complete this module. I have remembered quite a lot of the stuff that my computer lost. Somehow my memory has not died on me too and I am surprised by the amount of stuff coming back to me. Today I am going to try and type up all this , share my CI`s and generally get on with it.
Thought this was quite funny and I am sure I will be able to use this somewhere.
Yesterday I was at a training for Trainers day in Glasgow and we were given items and asked to give an off the cuff 3 minute presentation. I was given a mirrored disco ball. Surprisingly this bit just popped into my head and the words came tumbling out. Even I was stunned. I said this reminded me of Gibbs reflective cycle and how this was all about reflective practice bla bla bla bla. Everyone just looked at me as if I was some kind of intelligent person. I think they might find me out.
Back to work.
Thought this was quite funny and I am sure I will be able to use this somewhere.
Yesterday I was at a training for Trainers day in Glasgow and we were given items and asked to give an off the cuff 3 minute presentation. I was given a mirrored disco ball. Surprisingly this bit just popped into my head and the words came tumbling out. Even I was stunned. I said this reminded me of Gibbs reflective cycle and how this was all about reflective practice bla bla bla bla. Everyone just looked at me as if I was some kind of intelligent person. I think they might find me out.
Back to work.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Phewwwwwwwww
I wrote up a lot of stuff yesterday as it came back into my mind. last night I typed up Loads. I have CI 1 and 2 just about finished and I have the poem finished for CI3. I am goin to finish C2 and then leave CI`s. If I get time at the end I will make a short film about CI3. If no time then I will just submit as a poem. I have written up some for LA1 but will continue today. I would like to get LA1, LA2 and LA3 finished by the end of the weekend, if not before. This would probably mean that I won`t need that extension after all. That would be good. Not feeling as defeated as I was.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
C5 started
Forgot to say that C5 started on Monday. H aske Ags and I to be part of C5. to offer support to all the new folk. Ags and I think it is because we are rubbish and they will see that you don`t need to be clever to do this. H assures us this is not the case. There are some real computer whizz kids amongs C5. I remember how I felt at that stage and was no where near as confident or able to do the stuff they are doing now. Wonder if I should make friends with some of them in case I am bumped back to C5 for being rubbish.
Used time - that I don`t have - last night to say hello to a few people and leave a message in the discussion board. Hope this is enough to let folk know it`s not as bad as it looks.
Will make sure I keep up with them. i wonder if we will be part of C5 for ever or are we just wanted for the first few weeks. must ask H that question.
Used time - that I don`t have - last night to say hello to a few people and leave a message in the discussion board. Hope this is enough to let folk know it`s not as bad as it looks.
Will make sure I keep up with them. i wonder if we will be part of C5 for ever or are we just wanted for the first few weeks. must ask H that question.
Getting on with things
Spoke to C about an extension due to all my problems. Just might get it.
Hope I will not need it but at least I will have that comfort zone.
Getting on okay and my mind seems to have remebered a few things that I had written.
I also decided to scrap my CI 3 about having to keep children awake and decided to use my computer experience as my last CI. I wrote a wee poem in about 10 minutes. of course it is rubbish and a 6 year old could have probably done better. However i am going to use it becuse it sums up the incident and my feelings about it. I am trying to remember all the LA1 stuff today and look for all those dam quotes again. I a m sure I will do it. Would love not to have to get an extension so am going to get really stuck in. No weekend for me.
Hope I will not need it but at least I will have that comfort zone.
Getting on okay and my mind seems to have remebered a few things that I had written.
I also decided to scrap my CI 3 about having to keep children awake and decided to use my computer experience as my last CI. I wrote a wee poem in about 10 minutes. of course it is rubbish and a 6 year old could have probably done better. However i am going to use it becuse it sums up the incident and my feelings about it. I am trying to remember all the LA1 stuff today and look for all those dam quotes again. I a m sure I will do it. Would love not to have to get an extension so am going to get really stuck in. No weekend for me.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Oh My God
Just had a big disaster. 5 day old computer just crashed and I lost all my stuff. Of course I never kept a hard copy so I am f...........
Might need to get extension. e mailed H. Think I will probably manage in time but to stop me panicking I will ask.
Learning Experiences - I have learnt to ask for help early and not panic so much. Good idea. I have emailed H and it only happened this morning. Also keep hard copies of everything. This I will do from now on I promise.
One other thing I did was throw away all my scrappy bits of paper with notes on them - not a good idea as I will now need to start from scratch.
Not panicking too much - a wee cry but I can overcome this.
Might need to get extension. e mailed H. Think I will probably manage in time but to stop me panicking I will ask.
Learning Experiences - I have learnt to ask for help early and not panic so much. Good idea. I have emailed H and it only happened this morning. Also keep hard copies of everything. This I will do from now on I promise.
One other thing I did was throw away all my scrappy bits of paper with notes on them - not a good idea as I will now need to start from scratch.
Not panicking too much - a wee cry but I can overcome this.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Here I go again
Here I go again. Lots of problems with my computer and finally had to chuck it out the window. Thought i might just use the lap top but in the end decided to treat myself to a new computer. Arrived Thursday night. Am liking it but I think it is a bit slow sometimes. Might be all the software that D has put on it. If only I was more confident to do the loading myself. Maybe one day!!!!!
UNB2604 is coming - so is Christmas. But I have to be finished by 20th March. Would love to be finished well before then but I have my doubts. Have lots of scraps of paper and now need to get down to the serious stuff. Going to spend the whole day today attempting to do the business. Weather gorgous - but cold. Everybody else in the country seems to have snow except us.
UNB2604 is coming - so is Christmas. But I have to be finished by 20th March. Would love to be finished well before then but I have my doubts. Have lots of scraps of paper and now need to get down to the serious stuff. Going to spend the whole day today attempting to do the business. Weather gorgous - but cold. Everybody else in the country seems to have snow except us.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Here I am again
Had a break to finish Module 3 of my PDA. Thank goodness that`s now out of the way and I can concentrate on Module 4 of my BA. I have until 20th March to complete this and then its back to the final module of the PDA.
Got the results of the last BA module and I passed. Am coming round to the idea that I just might be able to do this.
Module 4 asks me to identify 2 critical incidents and reflect on them. I am trying hard to think of 2 incidents. H says it is not the Incidents themselves which are important it is the process of reflection that they will be concentrating on.
I have to get my thinking cap on.
Got the results of the last BA module and I passed. Am coming round to the idea that I just might be able to do this.
Module 4 asks me to identify 2 critical incidents and reflect on them. I am trying hard to think of 2 incidents. H says it is not the Incidents themselves which are important it is the process of reflection that they will be concentrating on.
I have to get my thinking cap on.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Online tools - significant points
Having read over the LA3 again I note that I should have noted any significant points regarding the literature which we were asked to read.
The Tools of Online Connection
Having read this report I felt that it was not really telling me anything I did not know already. The report talks about finding the "right tool for the audience". I think this is important as although I may have the technology to e mail, instant message and chat as well as other online tools. The person I wish to "speak" to may not have the same technology. It would be important to discuss with the other person first to see if they had the technology to reply to you or actually read messages.
E mail is a good way of sending and receiving information. Althought unsolicited e mails (spam) and viruses can be a concern.
E mail newsletters are a good way to reach a large audience of people at the same time.
Online Conferencing and Bulletin Boards ( First Class) This can allow participants to share ideas
in a community group who have something in common. Disadvantage is that there is no face to face conversation or even tones of voice. This can sometimes mean that the written word is misinterpretated.
Chat good for a small group to chat or one to one chat. All participants need to be available to chat at the same time.
Instant Message, again good for chat amongst a small group or one to one. Drawback is a slow typist.
Internet Broadcasts. Good for training programmes.
Still need for traditional communication methods. For example phone, direct mail.
Tool Tour
This literature gives a range os sites to look at. It introduces a range of online interaction and collaberation tools which are available.
Full Circle Associates Online Interaction Tools Resource Sheet
This document is a "work in progress". It lists in a table Tool Features and the purpose or function of each feature.
Each of these documents I feel will be good reference material for me in this degree.
The Tools of Online Connection
Having read this report I felt that it was not really telling me anything I did not know already. The report talks about finding the "right tool for the audience". I think this is important as although I may have the technology to e mail, instant message and chat as well as other online tools. The person I wish to "speak" to may not have the same technology. It would be important to discuss with the other person first to see if they had the technology to reply to you or actually read messages.
E mail is a good way of sending and receiving information. Althought unsolicited e mails (spam) and viruses can be a concern.
E mail newsletters are a good way to reach a large audience of people at the same time.
Online Conferencing and Bulletin Boards ( First Class) This can allow participants to share ideas
in a community group who have something in common. Disadvantage is that there is no face to face conversation or even tones of voice. This can sometimes mean that the written word is misinterpretated.
Chat good for a small group to chat or one to one chat. All participants need to be available to chat at the same time.
Instant Message, again good for chat amongst a small group or one to one. Drawback is a slow typist.
Internet Broadcasts. Good for training programmes.
Still need for traditional communication methods. For example phone, direct mail.
Tool Tour
This literature gives a range os sites to look at. It introduces a range of online interaction and collaberation tools which are available.
Full Circle Associates Online Interaction Tools Resource Sheet
This document is a "work in progress". It lists in a table Tool Features and the purpose or function of each feature.
Each of these documents I feel will be good reference material for me in this degree.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Getting on with things
Getting on with things today. Working very hard. Had a conversation with H today about LA4. Decided to change the layout. Harvard Referencing - I need a crash course. All a big mystery to me no matter how many time I read the bumff. Seem to be working backwards today. Got lots and lots of scraps of paper but not much typed into the computer. Will be a late night tonight I think. Getting a bit frantic ehich is not anything new for me. never mind will keep going. Had a nice e mail from EM today. Someone believes in me. Actually lots of people believe in me. I wish I could.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
LA4 Processes of Learning Online
Social Development theory - L Vygotsky
The range of skill that can be developed with adult guidance or peer collaboration exceeds what can be obtained alone.
This is particularly true for me. Being part of the online Ultraversity community allows me to develop my own skills at my own pace, but also enables me to "pick the brains" of fellow researchers and Learning Facilitators. My own skills have so far exceeded my expectations and this is due to the information, help and support given by fellow researchers and LF`s. By accessing shared folders and home sites I am able to view different technical ideas and layouts which till now would have been unattainable to me. No one in the online community appears to mind the "How did you do thet" questions from others. By having the support of my peers I am encouraged to try new things. I think this reflects in my previous power point, webspace and movie. Previously I would never have attempted this.
Situated Learning ( J Lave)
Social interaction is a critical component of situated learning - learners become involved in a "community of practice" which embodies certain beliefs and behaviours to be acquired. As the beginner or newcomer, moves from the periphery of this community to it`s center, they become more active and engaged within the culture and hence assume the role of expert or old timer.
This is certainly true of the Ultraversity community. In C4 there are researchers who seem to have become experts. This may be because they are more actively involved in the community than others and because of this they are asked for help or advice from the other researchers. Often asked before the researcher has contacted their LF. In the Ultraversity Community, researchers from previous cohorts seem far more knowledgable than those in C4. I think that they would all have been beginners at one time and are now becoming old timers. I would expect that by next year when there is a C5, I might become an old timer.
In all cases there was a gradual acquisition of knowledge and skills as novices learned from experts in the context of everyday activities.
This has happened in C4. Some researchers have entered this degree course with far more ICT skills than others. In fact some are employed in this field. For me, who has very basic knowledge this has been both a negative and a positive effect. Negative because when others were able to produce very technically skilled pieces of work, I was struggling to produce basic things. A positive effect was that I pushed myself harder to produce more elaborate ( for me) pieces of work than I would have done had I been working alone.
Many found that they began to form bonds of one sort of another.
I think that I started of as a lurker. Happy to read other peoples comments and find out a bit about them. I was still bit unsure and not confident about posting too many messages myself. Everyone seemed very knowledgable and I did not want to appear stupid. I then bacame happy to " dip my toe in" every now and then. As my confidence increased I was able to add to conversations and even start some. As my confidence increases further I hope to contribute more. There are some researchers named as members of the Ultraversity community who have never contributed any messages within First Class or Plone. I wonder if they have either never actually started the course or had to drop out for some reason after starting. If they are still researchers within the community and "lurking" I find it strange that they are able to complete the course work as part of the work has been to communicate with others within the community.
The range of skill that can be developed with adult guidance or peer collaboration exceeds what can be obtained alone.
This is particularly true for me. Being part of the online Ultraversity community allows me to develop my own skills at my own pace, but also enables me to "pick the brains" of fellow researchers and Learning Facilitators. My own skills have so far exceeded my expectations and this is due to the information, help and support given by fellow researchers and LF`s. By accessing shared folders and home sites I am able to view different technical ideas and layouts which till now would have been unattainable to me. No one in the online community appears to mind the "How did you do thet" questions from others. By having the support of my peers I am encouraged to try new things. I think this reflects in my previous power point, webspace and movie. Previously I would never have attempted this.
Situated Learning ( J Lave)
Social interaction is a critical component of situated learning - learners become involved in a "community of practice" which embodies certain beliefs and behaviours to be acquired. As the beginner or newcomer, moves from the periphery of this community to it`s center, they become more active and engaged within the culture and hence assume the role of expert or old timer.
This is certainly true of the Ultraversity community. In C4 there are researchers who seem to have become experts. This may be because they are more actively involved in the community than others and because of this they are asked for help or advice from the other researchers. Often asked before the researcher has contacted their LF. In the Ultraversity Community, researchers from previous cohorts seem far more knowledgable than those in C4. I think that they would all have been beginners at one time and are now becoming old timers. I would expect that by next year when there is a C5, I might become an old timer.
In all cases there was a gradual acquisition of knowledge and skills as novices learned from experts in the context of everyday activities.
This has happened in C4. Some researchers have entered this degree course with far more ICT skills than others. In fact some are employed in this field. For me, who has very basic knowledge this has been both a negative and a positive effect. Negative because when others were able to produce very technically skilled pieces of work, I was struggling to produce basic things. A positive effect was that I pushed myself harder to produce more elaborate ( for me) pieces of work than I would have done had I been working alone.
Many found that they began to form bonds of one sort of another.
Bonds have been developed among researchers for many reasons. Here are some that I have witnessed
Location - live close by or "used to".
Employment - work in the same field. i.e. education or health. Soome even in the same workplace.
Common circumstances - Parents
Knowledge - expert to expert
expert to novice
novice to expert
novice to novice
relationships - I believe there are researchers who are related
Hobbies - share the same hobbies and can become part of other communities. eg gardening,christian
Personal attributes - sense of humour, same wave length.
In general the existance of particiapents called lurkers, who post very few or no messages in an online community is widely known. It is stated that lurkers might have a negative influence on an online community because many people regard them as free riders. On the other hand, some researchers have argued that lurkers play an important and necessary role. For example this can be merely a stage of membership shift. ( stranger, passer-by, lurker, participant and regular member.I think that I started of as a lurker. Happy to read other peoples comments and find out a bit about them. I was still bit unsure and not confident about posting too many messages myself. Everyone seemed very knowledgable and I did not want to appear stupid. I then bacame happy to " dip my toe in" every now and then. As my confidence increased I was able to add to conversations and even start some. As my confidence increases further I hope to contribute more. There are some researchers named as members of the Ultraversity community who have never contributed any messages within First Class or Plone. I wonder if they have either never actually started the course or had to drop out for some reason after starting. If they are still researchers within the community and "lurking" I find it strange that they are able to complete the course work as part of the work has been to communicate with others within the community.
Somefolk not happy
Oh seems to have been a problem with a lot of peoples results. I realise I was lucky. Thank goodness. I got my results and did`nt have to wait too long. Some other had to wait till today. Seems a bit sad. Glad it wasn`t me, I would have been very depressed. Not only that but some others seem unhappy with their mark.
Just for the record I am happy. I passed and can`t ask for anything more.
Seems like some folk are never happy.
Burns night tonight - haggis, neeps and tatties for tea.
Just for the record I am happy. I passed and can`t ask for anything more.
Seems like some folk are never happy.
Burns night tonight - haggis, neeps and tatties for tea.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
I passed
Yee haa
I passed module UNB2601. Some others had their results last night. Came in after Drama group, logged on and discovered "marks are out". But not mine. waited up till after midnight. Gave up and went to bed. Did`nt sleep much but when I did, I dreamt my computer crashed and had to enlist help of school teachers. Took three weeks to fix and when it worked "computer said fail" in front of all the teachers. Wowwwwww what a bad dream thank goodness.
Checked my file at 7.30 this morning and a good fairy ( Ian Tindell- hope he`s a burly man) had put my results in and I passed.
Thank goodness.
Trying to finish of UNB2603 for Monday and the whole process starts again.
I might be on valium soon.
I passed module UNB2601. Some others had their results last night. Came in after Drama group, logged on and discovered "marks are out". But not mine. waited up till after midnight. Gave up and went to bed. Did`nt sleep much but when I did, I dreamt my computer crashed and had to enlist help of school teachers. Took three weeks to fix and when it worked "computer said fail" in front of all the teachers. Wowwwwww what a bad dream thank goodness.
Checked my file at 7.30 this morning and a good fairy ( Ian Tindell- hope he`s a burly man) had put my results in and I passed.
Thank goodness.
Trying to finish of UNB2603 for Monday and the whole process starts again.
I might be on valium soon.
Online tools
For Activity 3 in UNB2603 I have been asked to list the online tools that I have used in Ultraversity in my learning journal and briefly describe them.
I have used Skype which is a means of communicating with other researchers. This communication is either "speaking" or using words to instant chat. There is also a facility for video but I have not used this yet. I like the audio side to this as you are having a chat with a "real person" and can hear their voice. I t is also possible to have a conference call. For me the downside is that not all the researchers are using this or have the ability to use it.
First Class seems to be working better for me and the other researchers. It would seem more researchers are using the Ultraversity Community and the Cohort 4 message boards as their main method of communicating with each other. I think this is because it is very responsive both from the Learning Facilitators and other researchers. There are other community message boards within the First Class overall community. I have "dabbled" in the Parents community but that seems to have been abandoned by most at the moment. I did make a posting asking where everyone had gone and got several replies back. Most "parents" had joined other groups are there did not seem to be many in the "Parent" group. One drawback I find is that some researchers carry out a one to one conversation with other researchers which are really private chat and should probably be conducted from their private mail box`s. This often makes a thread too long. The mail box within First Class is good as this allows for private messages which you may not want the community to read. For example messages to LF`s. Instant messages is another way of communicating using First Class. This allows chats between two or more people. The Technical Support within FC is excellent and the response time can be almost instantaneous. I have used this and found the friendly support encouraging.
Another downside I find to First Class is that when working on course work, I tend to keep my FC permanently on. This allows me to read any new messages. However I find it hard to ignore invitations to an instant message chat. This sometimes leads me to spend far more time instant chatting when I should be getting on with course work.
Plone was the original method of communicating which researchers were introduced too. Plone is an ideal place to have a Home Page and for storing our course work. It is also a place to view other researchers shared folders. The message boards in Plone - of which I feel there are far too many- don`t seem to be getting used as much as FC. This might be because most researchers are using FC for messaging as their first choice. Plone is not as responsive as first Class. The "blue" group is where I look for messages form my LF and other researchers within the "blue group". The "members" gives me a list of all members of the Ultraversity community. For most this includes their resume and a home page which gives background information on each member. Plone also gives details of Course work and deadlines for modules. There are tabs to information about Ultraversity, Student information, Hotseats and a classified section. The classified is used by researchers to "advertise". This is mostly asking for help with research or invitations to join online groups.
Frapper is a map of the world. On this map you locate where you live and "add yourself". This allows everybody to see where others within our Ultraversity community are located. I was able to see that, according to Frapper, there are only two researchers in Scotland. I was surprised and wondered why? Frapper is just for fun but quite interesting. Unfortunately everytime I switch on Frapper my computer crashes. I don`t know why but I tend not to look at frapper very often.
Webnote Brainstorm seems to be a message board but just in another form. It takes the for of "post it`s" attached to a notice board. I am not sure why we need another message board but have joined in anyway. The colours are a bit bright for me.
E Mail is still my biggest form of communicating with others within www. I can check my emails when it is convenient for me and don`t need to interupt what I am doing to instant answer them the way I would have to a telephone call. Drawbacks to this are that I don`t have the "voice" contact with others which I like. E mails are also not good for Urgent conversations ( for me) as I sometimes don`t get the chance to check them as often as I would like.
My blog is very new to me. I am still not sure of the advantages of making my learning journey available for anyone to read and comment on. I can see the advantage of actually writing about my journey but not the "open to all" bit.
I have used Skype which is a means of communicating with other researchers. This communication is either "speaking" or using words to instant chat. There is also a facility for video but I have not used this yet. I like the audio side to this as you are having a chat with a "real person" and can hear their voice. I t is also possible to have a conference call. For me the downside is that not all the researchers are using this or have the ability to use it.
First Class seems to be working better for me and the other researchers. It would seem more researchers are using the Ultraversity Community and the Cohort 4 message boards as their main method of communicating with each other. I think this is because it is very responsive both from the Learning Facilitators and other researchers. There are other community message boards within the First Class overall community. I have "dabbled" in the Parents community but that seems to have been abandoned by most at the moment. I did make a posting asking where everyone had gone and got several replies back. Most "parents" had joined other groups are there did not seem to be many in the "Parent" group. One drawback I find is that some researchers carry out a one to one conversation with other researchers which are really private chat and should probably be conducted from their private mail box`s. This often makes a thread too long. The mail box within First Class is good as this allows for private messages which you may not want the community to read. For example messages to LF`s. Instant messages is another way of communicating using First Class. This allows chats between two or more people. The Technical Support within FC is excellent and the response time can be almost instantaneous. I have used this and found the friendly support encouraging.
Another downside I find to First Class is that when working on course work, I tend to keep my FC permanently on. This allows me to read any new messages. However I find it hard to ignore invitations to an instant message chat. This sometimes leads me to spend far more time instant chatting when I should be getting on with course work.
Plone was the original method of communicating which researchers were introduced too. Plone is an ideal place to have a Home Page and for storing our course work. It is also a place to view other researchers shared folders. The message boards in Plone - of which I feel there are far too many- don`t seem to be getting used as much as FC. This might be because most researchers are using FC for messaging as their first choice. Plone is not as responsive as first Class. The "blue" group is where I look for messages form my LF and other researchers within the "blue group". The "members" gives me a list of all members of the Ultraversity community. For most this includes their resume and a home page which gives background information on each member. Plone also gives details of Course work and deadlines for modules. There are tabs to information about Ultraversity, Student information, Hotseats and a classified section. The classified is used by researchers to "advertise". This is mostly asking for help with research or invitations to join online groups.
Frapper is a map of the world. On this map you locate where you live and "add yourself". This allows everybody to see where others within our Ultraversity community are located. I was able to see that, according to Frapper, there are only two researchers in Scotland. I was surprised and wondered why? Frapper is just for fun but quite interesting. Unfortunately everytime I switch on Frapper my computer crashes. I don`t know why but I tend not to look at frapper very often.
Webnote Brainstorm seems to be a message board but just in another form. It takes the for of "post it`s" attached to a notice board. I am not sure why we need another message board but have joined in anyway. The colours are a bit bright for me.
E Mail is still my biggest form of communicating with others within www. I can check my emails when it is convenient for me and don`t need to interupt what I am doing to instant answer them the way I would have to a telephone call. Drawbacks to this are that I don`t have the "voice" contact with others which I like. E mails are also not good for Urgent conversations ( for me) as I sometimes don`t get the chance to check them as often as I would like.
My blog is very new to me. I am still not sure of the advantages of making my learning journey available for anyone to read and comment on. I can see the advantage of actually writing about my journey but not the "open to all" bit.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Onwards and upwards
Well it was pride before a fall. Just cannot get my First Class Home Page up and running. Thought I had managed after 2 nights of trying and got ags to look for me. No pictures and text everywhere. Had enough of this. Got too much to do and too little time to do it. E mailed Hamish and asked for help - well begged actually. Had a look at another researchers draft and got a bit upset as although she had similar things to me - hope I don`t get accused of copying - she has used all sorts of fancy words and layouts. If that is the standard they expect i may as well get a fail now.
I notice that she has not used any pics of the children she works with. I have asked permission and have it in writing from the parents of the children I have to use their pics for my power point and also for my Plone page. I would`nt want to put the powerpoint presentation in First Class as this would be available to others and not just our other researchers.
my next posting later on will be all about the online tools I have used.
I notice that she has not used any pics of the children she works with. I have asked permission and have it in writing from the parents of the children I have to use their pics for my power point and also for my Plone page. I would`nt want to put the powerpoint presentation in First Class as this would be available to others and not just our other researchers.
my next posting later on will be all about the online tools I have used.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
By Jove, She`s got it
I did it, I did it. Last night I got my home page up and running in Plone. I have got power point, links, photos and all sorts in there. The only thing I could`nt get in was my movie that I made about my learning Journey. It just might be too long I think. I will look at that another day. I have already had feedback from others on my site - all positive. Feeling just a tiny bit smug and happy.
Not so happy with the First class Home Page I have to do as well. Decided not to waste masses of time messing about. Much better to be dim and ask for help at the start. Clive has given me links which I have printed and I`ll have a good read through and stat this tonight.
Oh but I am proud of myself for the plone Page. Hope it`s not pride before a fall.
Not so happy with the First class Home Page I have to do as well. Decided not to waste masses of time messing about. Much better to be dim and ask for help at the start. Clive has given me links which I have printed and I`ll have a good read through and stat this tonight.
Oh but I am proud of myself for the plone Page. Hope it`s not pride before a fall.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Another day
Another day and things get no easier. Having lots of problems loading images into my plone homepage. Tried and tried and just about to give up. Spoke to another researcher on First Class who said she would skype me. Just at that point I had to answer the door, fell over the wire for my headset and broke the bl........dy thing. Not funny as this means a trip to the mainland on Saturday to buy another one. I will probably laugh another day but not now.
E mailed Greta in Technical and , bless them both, her and Mark showed me what to do. Feeling a bit better now and just might crack this plone homepage tonight. Hopefully. Feeling just a bit dim as this technical stuff really fazes me. I suppose I am learning but it does`nt feel like I am ever going to get there.
E mailed Greta in Technical and , bless them both, her and Mark showed me what to do. Feeling a bit better now and just might crack this plone homepage tonight. Hopefully. Feeling just a bit dim as this technical stuff really fazes me. I suppose I am learning but it does`nt feel like I am ever going to get there.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Well here I am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well here I am . I have been up early today and have managed at last to create this here Blog. The aim of this is to use it as a Learning Journal while completeing ( hopefully) a degree course. My technology skills are limited and the whole thing is quite frightening to me. I have to hand in my next module on 30th January 2006 and the day is getting closer and closer. Managing to create this blog this morning has been quite an achievement for me and I`m feelling a bit pleased with myself. Am going to work all day today and see if I can manage the get a website in Plone and a Home Page in First Class. Not very confident but you never know.
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