TSUNAMI TIME

FIRST CLASS HONOURS :-)

2009-07-14T18:19:00.001+01:00

Now the final marks are in and it has been well worth the effort. Dad in heaven, I have done you proud, I just wish you were here to come to my graduation with me!

ALL THE WAY THERE!

2009-05-11T20:51:00.002+01:00

Wow! All done now and I can' t believe it's finished.... of course, the research will continue, but the formal submission of modules about it has come to an end.

Ill health plagued the last 3 weeks up to the deadline and even after it is passed, the chest infection and flu-like virus have not let go their grip... but now at least, I can rest and hopefully will recover soon.

... and now we wait... for our marks!

Half way marks...

2009-01-29T12:48:00.002Z

It's been a while since I posted here and so much has been happening! Both at home(& abroad!) and at work, with study figuring high up there on the agenda too.

Back to work after Christmas we tried to start implementation of the new library management package but hit several stumbling blocks in the first week. The second week was then dominated by lessons supporting ICT Unit 8.3 - these are the product of previous action inquiry and have now become standard practice. They went very well and feedback has been very positive with kids saying: "we can use what we learned in the LRC for that geography homework", which is what it is ALL about! Fantastic :-)

Marks came back on the first two modules of the year. I was disappointed with the first - although it is was a very good mark, well above average, I could see I had not given myself enough time to do the best of jobs. I did do that with Exhibition Preparation though, and was very pleased to be duly rewarded with an excellent mark.

Now to keep that in mind as I do Action Inquiry & Exhibition....

HALF WAY THERE!

2008-12-16T02:29:00.002Z

I can't believe we are now half way there for the final year! I just uploaded my Exhibition Preparation module which I am actually very pleased with. It reminded me a bit of my Action Inquiry module at level 1, as I found myself going through two of Kolb's experiential learning cycles. The first the research process, and the second the exhibition process. Both were valuable learning experiences with so much learning by the individual from the many, at work, in the research, from the literature and most of all from the Ultraversity community... with special mention for the 3 musketeers who have supported each other so well through this!

Now I can heave a big sigh of relief and get back to the business of Christmas - with another deadline looming, writing the cards is a big priority, which will be shortly followed by wrapping presents while the kids are still at school... that makes a matching deadline for the last post! :-S

Oh well, away I go for some sleep now to recharge the batteries in readiness for the rush!

Back on track

2008-12-02T21:57:00.002Z

I am indeed on track with the second module and pleased that this involved piloting the data collection and exhibition. It is always easier to see in retrospect what you could have done better and this has provided us with that retrospective perspective... this helps us make a better job of the main event now, rather than experiencing the retrospective perspective too late!

Back to work then....

Reviewed & Planned

2008-11-24T20:05:00.003Z

Well, I think that the first module of this final year is done and dusted now... and what a relief!

Now I really must get back on track with the second....

Keeping up with the times...

2008-11-16T21:57:00.002Z

I am having a little trouble keeping up with my ILP as I have found myself now timetabled to deliver 12 lessons in the LRC this coming week. This has necessitated reviewing the lessons delivered last year. The Head of ICT suggested incorporating some changes and we have also come up with a new task sheet incorporating booleans AND, OR and NOT. The accompanying study skills lesson has also been reviewed by us in the LRC and new activities added to take the place of the elements we moved into the year 7 induction lessons.

The graduateness chat mentioned last post was extremely useful and a few others have followed since. I have been looking at why 'graduateness' needs to be defined and put the foundations of the discussion down to the 1992 Further & Higher Education Act that paved the way for Polytechnics to rename themselves Universities and for degrees to be awarded for more vocational subjects which had not previously been awarded graduate status.

Now to be succinct about that in the module....

Finally tuning in to the final!

2008-10-27T23:17:00.003Z

It has taken a while to get on top of my thinking but I am pleased to say I am there at last.

The academic year started very sickly and full of cold which blurred thinking and let panic set in! Feeling behind, I was so busy trying to catch up that I couldn't really think straight... until now... it feels so much better!

I have my ILP together for the whole year and although I am still a little behind, I know what needs to be done, when. This structure is helping enormously, as are my pardners who I regularly chat with online and with whom articulation leads to understanding things so much better. It is a much busier year, very full on and all interlinked along two strands - one of the planning, implementation and evaluation of the action inquiry and exhibition - the other about graduate skills and personal development planning.

The Learning Set has gelled together very well this year and we have a chat scheduled later in the week to discuss graduateness and value added. Having planned the process of the inquiry, I now need to plan the portfolio evidence to be collected to demonstrate achievement of graduate learning outcomes at the end of the year.

At last it all starts fitting together...

HAPPY MARKS

2008-07-04T13:48:00.003+01:00

& great marks for year 2 too! Couldn't have done it without my pardners, so I am eternally grateful for the Three Musketeers :-)

Now to put the thinking cap on for year 3.... but first a little R&R...

YEAR 2 DONE!

2008-06-10T16:39:00.002+01:00

Just when I was nearly finished family illness got way worse & I had to get an extension to my module. But now I think I am finally and thankfully there... end of year 2... all done!

What a relief!

:-)

Nearly there...

2008-05-20T20:39:00.002+01:00

As the end of year 2 approaches, I am working hard to get it all done. I have been plodding away researching what I need from my workplace and reading theory, yet with family illness & operations taking time, I have only just today planned how I will present it.

Tomorrow then, I hope to draft a skeleton of a module which I hope to flesh up over the next few days in time to get some feedback to work with before submission at the end of next week.

That leaves tonight to re-read the relevant bits of past modules so that all the information is to hand... better get on with it now...

Uploaded not overloaded!

2008-04-16T23:24:00.002+01:00

I am pleased to say I have just uploaded my completed ILM Module - finished pretty much as LITWS started, I went since on a school ski trip then came back to put finishing touches on it.

The module is presented in two parts - a word document of my learning journey during the module and a website (hey, hey!) of the research project itself. I didn't have time to master dreamweaver sufficiently so I used i-web on the mac to do the website which was a very easy process... I do want to learn dreamweaver though but not sure whether there will be much opportunity at work for a couple of years (when kids get to y10)... in the meantime I could have a go at learning on the mac... that could be fun...

Now I must get my head well into the next module. I have done a fair bit of reading and want to consolidate my notes on my thoughts so far before I enter into too much discussion - thus my next few days are marked!

& A GREAT MARK TO BOOT!

2008-02-21T00:27:00.003Z

I was so pleased when the marks were announced that I managed to get a great mark. I am a very happy bunny about that.

And ever since I have been chugging away at the Independent Learning Module. Having read in the plone guide that each module is allocated 300 hours study time, I gulped... a lot... then set about fitting more study into my schedule. I have certainly managed to get on top of this one a lot sooner than before and am doing my reading fairly consistently in the background, in the library, on trains, in waiting rooms and over coffee, as well as at home. I feel better informed on this one although I keep finding more to read as my topic, "Learning to Learn" has had so much written about it with 3 projects' research papers that I have found so far. All have a slightly different focus - the 5rs, assessment for learning and a holistic/constructivist approach - and I will be interested to see which theories I feel I can apply within the LRC. Not forgetting the other literature I have that is library specific....

I just need to keep on top of this now and prepare myself for the overlap with LITWS begins... in the middle of March... Crikey - I better get more of this ILM written up quick smart!

Thank goodness for extensions!

2008-01-15T17:22:00.000Z

Well... I finally finished my AI module to post today for marking. I am so glad I had the extension because I was hit by a really bad bout of illness which meant I slept the best part of a fortnight and so just managed to scrape my module together at the last knockings.

It is done now though and I intend a few days rest to recover myself fully before I start the reading I need to do in order to put forward my ILM AI proposal which is due in about 5 weeks from now.

For now, to celebrate that I am half way there - that is accomplishment in itself given all that has happened this last year, both good and bad, all having an effect on my opportunity to study and thus on my work. I am just thankful I have made it thus far!

A NEW YEAR - A BETTER YEAR

2007-12-31T08:49:00.000Z

It's New Year's Eve and I didn't get my AI module finished by the deadline (2 January) and know it is not a possibility now. I am going to work hard on it this week and hope to finish it by Friday - thank heavens for the extension after all!

I think that the AI partnership I am in is working particularly well. That there are three of us instead of two has, I think, enhanced the quality of peer review enormously as there is a real sense of triangulation in our work as well as our research.

In action

2007-12-14T23:19:00.000Z

Two weeks on and I am finally coming to grips with writing this module! It will still take some time yet but my thoughts are coming together well now and I am hoping not to have to use the extension I have on this one. To get it done by Christmas would be divine, although even as I type that I appreciate it is not very likely at all!

So... back to the grindstone...

Time to celebrate

2007-11-30T22:03:00.000Z

I have just uploaded my RITWS2 to Plone and checked with LF that it downloads ok (with added extension form as required).

AI can take over again on Monday when I have a training day in which I can catch up some, but before then I am taking a much deserved weekend off. Given a couple of days to rest and recover I should be able to launch into the theory with gusto!

So now for a celebratory glass of wine...

To extend or not to extend...

2007-11-07T22:17:00.000Z

That is indeed a question! I have requested an extension on this module that circumstance has put me so far behind on. While a few good days study will easily nail it I find the overlapping AI taking over as the dates given to me to implement lessons in the LRC are next week. This means my study is torn between RITWS2 & AI2 as I frantically work at ensuring all the necessary preparations are in place for the AI.... leaving RITWS2 still undone. Nor will it be done next week when the AI lessons take place... yet the deadline is the week after.

I find myself working hard to quell the panic that so wants to erupt from me. To ease the tension I am trialling studying at school, hiding in an unused classroom where no one can find me! The first attempt worked fabulously well, the second I was called upon to cover break time, and found myself 'just finishing this' or that which meant two and a half hours study time lost. The two and a half hours work time gained was truly fruitful but nonetheless not boding well for my new study strategy. I will give it another go tomorrow and make further choices from thereon.

Meantime our learning sets have been rearranged and LS3 has become LSC with some great new additions including 3 fellow researchers I have had great discussion with over the last year. Only a day in and our set is thriving - long may it continue.

I have also partnered up with a critical friend for my AI, from a different set but ok with LFs and now I must print off module outlines so I know what is required!

Nearly time for bed but not before posting a couple of discussion sparklers in FC....

EXHAUSTED!

2007-10-18T06:26:00.000+01:00

Reading my last entry & what a huge life change for me between then & now... The summer disappeared organising my wedding and house move, followed immediately(first day after the move) by a stay in hospital for a minor op then 3 weeks of frustration in my debilitated state. It is over 3 weeks now since I returned to work and I have been exhausted - the first Saturday after my return I spent the whole day in bed , catching up on sleep; the second I went to bed at 5.30pm and slept til 9.30am (unheard of!). I can't believe how much it has taken it out of me, although the sadness of the diagnosis of my father's inoperable cancer is also taking its toll along with settling in our new household and the emergent disparity of expectations, seeming like such a huge lack of consideration and thought for others.

We are working at it though - as I am working to study too. My hopes to sort out uni stuff over the summer were lost in a packing box somewhere and my illness meant I was unable then to crack the whip for a long time into the first module. I was also at the disadvantage of not being at work to identify Critical Incidents in the workplace, which could provide material for the module. There was however a truly critical incident at home which highlighted the disparity of expectations mentioned above and which we have been trying to sort out ever since. The last paragraph of my last entry has come home though; critical thinking is becoming a way of life, as I find myself reflecting on this issue in terms of perspectives, governing variables, single and double loop learning!

I posted in the UV community about whether this home CI might be acceptable material given that I was on sick leave and my LF said yes; I am not sure though that I want this to be out there in the public eye and so will first check through my Learning Journal entries made since I went back to work to try and identify something there; something more comfortable, more discussable... & then I remind myself that DLL is about discussing the undiscussable and being open to challenge the very basis of my thinking - what brought my perspectives to where they are now and which components of the mix should, could or might I be able to transform into new perspectives.

I also started a couple of discussion threads in the UV community that have elicited fabulous responses from the Learning Facilitators, with "A good argument" from the Module Leader, no less, who thinks one argument "impressive " whilst my tutor thought the other "A very well argued point and a valid one" that "stimulated an excellent thread", & yet the best comment given in the daily round up about the subsequent discussion was "Suddenly our academic prairie is on fire"!

So that brings me right back to ECSTATIC!

That's all for now... apologies for the nigh on 3 month absence... back to study now...

Ecstatic!

2007-07-12T21:19:00.000+01:00

I am ecstatic! I have completed my year with distinction... I have received my mark for Module 4 and could not wish for better... instead I can now worry about living up to it in future should I so choose to do so!

But I don't choose to worry; I choose to celebrate & be ecstatic about it & smile about it for a very long time to come; allowing it to sustain my enthusiasm and confidence that this degree is absolutely the thing for me to do...

Between now and September I am indeed having a rest from the study... but not from the organisation of it. It was all to easy to enjoy the lull before and then have trouble getting back in gear afterwards, so this engine is gently idling away over the break, ready to be revved up quickly when the time comes.

After all, isn't taking a degree also about changing your attitude and the line of critical thinking becoming a way of life, not to be set aside for long periods of time but used in the everyday run of things....

WHERE DID THAT YEAR GO!

2007-06-08T21:16:00.000+01:00

Module 4 is done & dosted, uploaded to Plone, awaiting my marker's verdict and the first year is complete.

It seems strange to have got here already... it seems to have happened so quickly!

Great though to get a break so I can devote my energies to moving house and getting married... hopefully I will get most of that sorted before the next module begins... with a bit of reading in between so I am at least a little ready for the theory element of the next module.

So now for the tide to recede and quiet to reign on my blog until the next wave of study hits in September.

THE DEADLINE APPROACHES

2007-06-02T20:27:00.000+01:00

As the deadline for this module fast approaches, I find myself scrabbling to get it done...

To get feedback on my findings is difficult when I haven't typed them up yet.... so I posted in my Learning Set a precis of what came to mind and hope for feedback on that. I will have to compare that which I posted with my writings when I have finished to see how in tune were the thoughts that came to mind for the precis.

So enough already, back to the typing...

IRREGULAR BLOGGING

2007-05-15T20:21:00.000+01:00

Having thought I would be keeping a far more regular blog during this module, I find instead that the notes to my Learning Journal are copious enough!

It is a funny module in terms of the communication in First Class... much quieter... and in Plone... far more focussed than ever before. Within my Learning Set I posted a comment apologising for the absence of contributions due to the reading of literature around my AI that was sending me off on so many tangents I was finding it hard to keep focus. Within a couple of hours 3 others had responded with relief that they were not alone in feeling this way... so I'm glad I posted it!

I have made improvements to the LRC lessons and tomorrow will be delivering the final two of this year group... after that it will be time to sit back and reflect big time on how to proceed with the next year group when we get to them... already I have made notes of lots of relevant ideas in my Learning Journal which I hope will help.

For now, it's back to reading and writing this module up!

SUCCESS!!!

2007-04-28T18:11:00.000+01:00

It all worked out in the end when I found the 'record sound' option in the insert>movies&sounds menu of ppt... it meant re-recording both audio files and it also meant a successful upload by bedtime on Saturday!

Then concentration on Module 4 began proper. Having had my AI approved by my LF I have been putting together a questionnaire & internet research guide handout to use in the 3 Information Retrieval Skills lessons I now have timetabled in... with time between providing the opportunity for further improvements to be made... I am feeling good about it all, partly I think because I had familiarised myself a little with AI at the end of last year by participating in Rob Walker's Hotseat on Plone, partly because I had printed off and read resources provided by my LF in his Plone space (again at the end of last year) and also because I feel it is just moving the focus slightly of the Kolb Reflective Practice model I used in Module 3 (and which C1 graduates have reassuringly confirmed they used throughout their degree).

I also realised this week that I am well in my Abstract Conceptualisation phase and so have pulled things together for the writing of my module in this respect, as I will do next week when I move on to the Active Experimentation phase that leads me through Concrete Experience on which to make Reflective Observation before the cycle begins again with further conceptualisation. That being a paragraph loaded with theoretical terms, I am feeling a little talked out now so will get stuck into some further reading to supplement what I have done so far.

In the meantime I am making plenty of notes!

NO SUN! In more ways than one...

2007-04-21T07:17:00.000+01:00

Back from the grey skied Med and I spent the last week proofreading, correcting and Harvard referencing Module 3 before uploading to Plone....

...& that's when the problems began! After the upload I could hear one embedded audio file but not both.... strange as they were both recorded and embedded in exactly the same way!?! I tried re-embedding from within the file before zipping and lost both... then converted the audio files to mp3 which I could hear on the laptop but not on the pc.... woe is me! When will the light shine on this dilemma?

In the meantime I have been doing lots of reading and thinking about Module 4 and will be keeping a more regular blog through this one....

DONE for DUSTING

2007-04-02T19:23:00.000+01:00

I am pleased to say I have finished drafting Module 3 and will leave it for dusting when I return from my holiday. I have read it through today and am happy I have satisfied all the learning outcomes.

When I get back from Majorca I will proof read it, check it for inconsistencies and do my best at Harvard Referencing....

In the meantime, SUN, SUN, SUN!

1...2....3

2007-03-23T15:57:00.000Z

Now I have LAs 1&2 done in draft and have applied models to my CIs(yes I did change my mind) for LA3, I am hoping to write up the rest of LA3 later tonight.

I am feeling a little stressed as I feel LA4 & LA5 will need some quiet to think them through in their entirety - not so easy to break into smaller chunks - and I have very little quiet time to do so. Next week I have scheduled to finish at 9.30 every day, but already I know that has to change on at least one day to nearer 2pm. I must quell the uneasy feeling of panic curling up my shoulders...

It has been a tricky module because so much discussion is necessary for the writing of it and everyone is at different stages. Having been divided into sets has meant that some are way ahead of others they need to do this discussion with and that in its turn has led to some uncomfortable discussion in FC.

My main worry is being able to finish three weeks ahead of schedule to take account of my holiday in Majorca and allow time when I get back to proof read with a fresh pair of eyes, whilst at the same time catching up with the beginning of module 4 which starts while I am away!

Woe is me!

PROCEEDING WITH CONFIDENCE!

2007-03-13T12:14:00.000Z

As instructed in response to my ILP I have been proceeding with confidence. I finally finished my draft of LA1 last night which I am wholly pleased with, except for the word count... it's way too high. Shame as I feel I have excelled with the content and I am worried an edit will take that away.

I was feeling stressed getting LA1 done as again I found myself coping with arrangements to sell the house and other people's illnesses which impacted on my study time; the boys, in turns, at home and doing longer hours at work to cover there too. Now it's in the bag in its fullness and I have looked forward to the rest of the module, I feel that it was potentially the hardest one to do (a bit like LA4 of Module 2), perhaps because this one too covered the theoretical aspect of the module.

Now I am contemplating LA2 about Critical Incidents and hope to get this one wrapped up in the next couple of days so I can get onto LA3 and apply the models I chose to the CIs I have come up with.

Nothing is fixed in stone yet though, especially the CIs and Models as I may well change my mind at the application stage! For this reason I have no intention of getting any of my LAs in final form until the variables are fixed.

Now to mow the lawn & plant out some flowers while thoughts of LA2 blossom in my mind!
My contemplations are mulling through my mind as I

MODULE 3 HAS ARRIVED!

2007-02-27T20:31:00.000Z

& I am finding it hard to find quiet time to do the necessary reading... I had thought the books necessary but half way through the second a debate started on FC as to whether online resources would suffice and I began to question how necessary...

As discussion unfolded and I turned it over in my mind, I came to the conclusion, which was also given by an LF today, that yes online resources do suffice... they will do... given time constraints they're perhaps the way to go... however, to go that little bit extra (?first class territory), the books come into play.

I had a great light bulb moment today - it even cleared thoughts on several Plone postings I and others had made earlier today. 3 of us had got together for another reflective writing session and hit obstacles which we considered and got past but were not entirely happy about. We had set ourselves a 3rd piece to write and this is what I did this afternoon... it made me cry... it gave me results (totally different to those I had anticipated) and it left me with a rush of happiness!

Now I need to knuckle down to read through all the resources, I have now accumulated, but not before I have listed them all in a bibliography to be part of the ILP I must complete by the end of the week... I have had good thoughts on that too & very clear reasons for using the media that I intend to use and the way I want to use it.

All I have to do now is become as clear about the reflective models and genres I wish to use - better go read up on them...

QUIET EXCITEMENT & HUGE SATISFACTION

2007-02-04T19:45:00.000Z

I got my mark for Module 2 & I am quietly thrilled...

I have managed to move from upper second to first class territory & it's such a good feeling. I worked hard at it and feel wonderfully rewarded, now I feel right on track and will do my very best to stay there. I'm more confident now that I know what I'm doing and will approach the next two modules, and the next two years, with zest & enthusiasm.

Better get back to reading up on reflective practice...

SUCH A GOOD FEELING!

2007-01-19T18:36:00.000Z

Now that Module 2 is over, and with a month before Module 3 is to start, my visits to FC are less frequent yet were beautifully enhanced this week by a message from a fellow researcher as follows:

"I just wanted to say an enormous thank you for all your help and encouragement over this last module. You've no idea how much you helped me, I truly couldn't have done it without some of your messages. It was terribly selfless of you to let us read your LA4 and really meant I could get my head around it - even if mine was in a completely different vein to yours - it really did help me. Thanks also for moderating - you and JK are just so brilliant that I'm delighted I'm in the same cohort as you two - you are my inspiration! Keep up the good work and I sincerely hope that one day I'll be able to return the compliment, even if only in a minor way."

This was so lovely to receive, and gave me such a good feeling, I was on a real high for the rest of the day. In fact I'm still smiling about it now, 3 days later!

MODULE 2 DONE!

2007-01-11T00:57:00.000Z

I am pleased to announce that I have reviewed my Module 2 and made amendments here and there, before posting the final draft to Plone today and informing my LF accordingly. In return I received his 'Well done on landing ahead of time'!

I have received good feedback from fellow researchers and have given some feedback myself in response to the requests of others. I think this module has really helped to develop the Cohort 6 community spirit that will be so helpful to our collective future learning.

It's a great feeling, especially as there are 5 clear weeks before Module 3 starts! Time for me to tidy up all the loose ends in my work - doing filing, indexing and posting to Plone, all for future reference. I must look into Time Management Courses (while I have the time) and also hope to do a little reading about Action Research/Inquiry to plant a few seeds of thought to grow before Module 4 which is all about the concept.

That aside, I also want to catch up with all that has been set to one side while I have been studying. For starters I have plans to swim after work most days and get back to yoga to get my fitness back up... & what better time for a spring clean at home - especially with a view to putting the house on the market at Easter...

I have the feeling the next few weeks will not be the break I originally envisaged... still, a change is as good as a rest!

Where did the time go!

2007-01-03T21:43:00.000Z

Having had to deal with family and health problems it was a real struggle but I put together what I felt would be an acceptable Module 2 and uploaded it before Plone & FC Downtime, on 20 December. I did this with it in mind that being away over Christmas and New Year, I would be able to make amendments between now and the deadline next Friday (originally 5th but extended to 12th, thankfully, because of the downtime).

Tomorrow I hope to get the whole family back in the normal routine and all being well with that I will be logging into FC tomorrow afternoon to catch up with an anticipated abundance of red flags! Any more than that will be a bonus, and I will set to going over my work on Friday with a view to making amendments next week.

All I need now is for my sons to return to routine well - this is the tricky bit that, unfortunately, is the unknown quantity that might mess up the best laid plans.... as it did for me in December.... so... watch this space for the next update...

DOWNHEARTED...

2006-12-12T14:36:00.000Z

I am pleased to say that I was able to get a lot of study time in at the weekend - about 20 hours in all.

Having put together a basis for module 2, I now need to flesh out the bones to make sure I include all the important bits before a major edit to fit the word count.

This is where the downheartedness comes in - I have received my mark for module 1 and although I know the first year's marks don't count and that a pass is all that is required, I was disappointed. Module 1 was on familiar ground and module 2 has taken me to new and unfamiliar ground - I had hoped the mark I got for the first would reflect my suitability for this course, I am now dreading what I will get for the second and that's before I have even finished it.

With serious doubts plaguing my mind, I decided to look at my marking in more detail with the Assessment Criteria in hand. Firstly my mark hit the 'very good' grade so I should be pleased with that. On re-reading the criteria my failings appear to be in extending myself. For the future I should therefore take time to make sure I describe, explain and reflect...

For now I am abandoning any attempt to study this afternoon as I think it will be a fruitless task. Let's hope a short break for reflection on all of the above is all I need...

ANOTHER 4.30AM WAKE-UP

2006-12-07T09:33:00.001Z

Again I awoke at 4.30am thinking of my studies. I decided it was pointless to try and go back to sleep so instead I caught up with all the little red flags in the peace of the nightime!

I am sure that the source of thoughts that woke me was the 6 hour stint I put in yesterday that allowed me to put together something about the processes of learning online. I am not entirely confident that what I have written is what is required so have posted it on Plone for feedback from fellow researchers as well as my LF.

Today I will concentrate on online tools and at the weekend I hope to develop My Home in Plone that I first moved into back in September...

INSPIRATION WAKES THE SLEEPING!

2006-12-02T06:10:00.000Z

I am pleased (I think) to say that inspiration about Module 2 woke me at 4.30am resulting in copious note writing!

When I will get the chance to pursue it more remains to be seen. It is around 6am on a Saturday morning at the beginning of a busy weekend so I'm hoping my notes will focus my next opportunity to tackle this daunting activity...

SHERLOCK HOLMES REIGNS!

2006-11-29T14:42:00.000Z

At least that sums up how far I've got with module 2... sort of... in other words, I'm still gathering evidence! & that's the sum of it so far.

Family illness means a colleague is absent from work and so my time management is up the creek and frantically looking for a paddle, whilst I am still at work for what was my allocated study time.

I am mulling things over in my head though, and a few ideas are formulating themselves which have made it a little less daunting for me. I don't actually want to take any action though until I have thoroughly researched the outcome I seek.

So, with an odd half hour here and there, the quest continues...

MODULE 2 ALREADY!

2006-11-24T14:11:00.000Z

Now we are a week on and I have been doing lots of gathering together of bits and pieces for Module 2.

Reading it through was quite scary as is the thought of the whole thing now, so I make my best effort to think of it in bitesize pieces that are, each on their own, not so scary at all. This has been helped by an online chat on FC with some fellow researchers a few days ago - it was reassuring, encouraging and amusing all at once.

Since then, I wrote myself a to do list of all the things I needed to pull together before I even begin to tackle any written assignments, and I have been steadily working my way through them. Then I will sort out a plan of action (I tried to do an ILP but it got too wordy and wide) and go for the writing...

I have also been trying to manage my time better, more rigidly, to give a sharper focus to what I do. Not only studywise but familywise too because it is important to keep the balance so no one begrudges this whole effort(at least that's the aim). & so, time to sign off for now & live a little!!!

SO LONG SINCE MY LAST POSTING!

2006-11-20T13:51:00.000Z

I can't believe time has flown by so fast since my last posting - that means I have even less to complete Module 2! I checked my calendar and I have just four weeks (this being the first) to COMPLETE it if I don't want it disrupting my Christmas Holidays!

Still, I am in the right frame of mind so I'm going for it.

I am pleased with Module 1 of which the final copy is posted on Plone for marking and I know that I have done it to the best of my ability so I can't ask any more than that. Now to do the same for Module 2, so can't stop here, must get on!

THAT FEELING OF PANIC IS CREEPING IN

2006-11-02T15:07:00.000Z

I can't believe another week has gone already... and module 2 has been posted on Plone for us... but I can't bear to look at it until I have finished module 1... hence the panic.

I finished LA3 on Tuesday and drafted the main body of LAs 5&6 yesterday. I now have to finish the latter then I can combine the whole lot into LA7 and module 1 will be done. I had hoped to go great guns at it today but with a sick son at home, there is not much hope of concentration and I have given up. I will instead tackle the housework so I am free tomorrow to do my best at it.

Let's hope I get it all done so that I can look at module 2 and get stuck in next week. That one is due for 5 January but as I have a very busy Christmas holiday finishing on 4 January, I really have to get module 2 done and dusted before we break up.

From FC I see that I am not the only one who daren't look at module 2 and some who have wished they hadn't yet as they are even more panicked! A few have had a look and taken it in their stride, so good for them!

No more time to write here, I have much to do...

A WEEK OFF?

2006-10-28T00:28:00.000+01:00

Well, as it's half term I gave myself a week off. Except it wasn't completely a week off because I have still spent lots of time keeping up with FC & Plone. Although I haven't read any LAs or worked on my own - I'll get back to that next week.

I have a Halloween Party to go to first...

WELL DONE!

2006-10-18T20:10:00.000+01:00

Since I last made a posting here, I am feeling really good about all the uni work I have done.

I did indeed get stuck in that weekend (one 6 hour stint being particularly productive) and pretty well finished off LA1 and LA4, making a good effort at LA2 as well. I also put my goals, thoughts and plans, together with expected learning outcomes on separate sheets for each LA so I can check back that I have remained 'on task' and edit accordingly later on.

Since then I have done 2 or 3 more 6 hour stints with the satisfaction of now having completed, what I feel will be the final drafts of LA1, LA2 & LA4, whilst also cutting swaithes into LA3. That I hope to complete soon and feel that LA5 & LA6 will issue forth from that very well - I must be sure to not leave it too long inbetween as I don't want to lose the trains of thought.

As to the online community, I am really enjoying it and feel that I am learning something new from somebody every day. I was therefore a little disheartened to learn there is a possibility that we will be split into smaller 'work related' groups on FC & made my feelings known.

Later I had a look at another LA1 & LA2 that blew me away and felt I would miss the benefit of such inspiration if the split took place as the author was not in school or a library work.

Time will tell what happens.... so... watch this space!

I...

2006-09-29T15:48:00.000+01:00

I have decided this entry will have paragraphs that all begin with 'I' - after all this blog is all about me!!!!

I have been getting some of those thoughts out and into draft forms, but it is more of a slow trickle - not what you'd expect to issue from a vortex!

I had a lot of trouble with accessing FC this week which stilted the flow a little as I spent a lot of time achieving not a lot! I take comfort from the comments of others to know that I have not been alone, others have experienced the same, and I finally got it sorted with the help of the Ultraversity Community sharing with me the benefit of their wisdom.

I'm really getting to like the way you can post a comment and get such helpful responses. To me, it seems there are huge benefits to the online community. Whilst individuals could get lost out in the cold on a university campus, never quite managing to link up with like minded fellows, the online aspect is a very real solution which does not allow this to happen.

I've noticed from discussions on Plone & FC that we all seem to be getting more focussed every day. Very reassuring!

I'm hoping to get the trickle flowing a little faster this weekend! With some quiet time lined up, who knows what can be achieved... until you try! So off I go, getting it all together, just a little bit more...

We're Rolling!

2006-09-21T20:33:00.000+01:00

We're rolling and drowning in a sea of litte red flags. I find it very interesting that we are just plunged in there... to sink or swim... they say it's the best way to learn... in at the deep end and all that!

Being the retriever I am it is instinctive to read all the posts in First Class, and all the threads attached to them. However, I have come to the conclusion that there would never be enough hours in the day to do so and have very quickly become selective in what I 'mark as read' and what I actually read!

I have however found some very entertaining ideas in the Music and Social conferences which have amused all the family...

As to the work... it's accumulating thoughts that are swirling in my mind... I'm hoping that soon they will gather together in a vortex that will issue from me such virtuous prose, both in discussion(verbal and virtual) and on paper(the virtual kind of course, with a few paper copies printed out along the way)! If I can only get some quiet time to let them out!

We can only hope, can't we...

Tsunami Time

2006-09-14T23:58:00.000+01:00

Hi there! & welcome to my blog!

It’s the Labrador Retriever here – testing your memory – do you remember what I said before! No matter if you don’t.

I have decided to use Tsunami Time as the name of my blog because I feel that like a tsunami, this degree is life changing - once encountered, life will never be the same again and… well… I feel sure that you all have plenty of vision to end that sentence to your own liking!