Author: Catey

#crit101 – Week 4

Originally published here.






Talk about hectic - trying to stay one step ahead of myself for five different units a week and standing up in front of ten groups a week!! Add to that, continuous days of thirty plus degrees (Celsius = HOT). Thank goodness I finally succumbed and had AC installed in the house. None in my car - it sits outside in the baking sun all day - but at least arriving home helps me 'chill out'. 
So I have made my excuses for not participating fully again, but I am still keen to try and find some time for #crit101. I absolutely will read the assigned article, but may not be able to complete the critical analysis in time - the 750 – 1000 word critical review may appear in Google Docs later than the due date, but I doubt it.
Some days later ....
This post has missed the deadline, I spent several 'stolen moments' trying to reflect, but distractions (read - work) abound...
  • How has this week’s assignment improved your skills of reading and analysis?
My normal habit is to read critically - but it is something I do without consciously thinking about it what I'm doing. It is stimulating to participate in these activities and to 'surface' a practise that I undertake in my daily work.
  • Discuss one way in which you connected with another member of the course this week.
I have read the archived Google+ account, but I don't perceive that as 'making a connection' it is more a way of keeping informed about discussions that I can't join in with synchronously.
  • How is the course helping you to become a more in(ter)dependent learner?
The course tools allow me to 'hear' perspectives that others have, but I don't see myself becoming more in(ter)dependent with participants here. I probably would have experienced a better result with greater participation, but I have only just read the added part of the task - I didn't realise there was an expectation for us to discuss the assigned articles with others. 

Addendum: Tuesday 11:38pm - definitely not a model student - have just realised that I completely forgot to watch video presentation - sorry James.


    Readings
    Google+ Discussion

    #crit101 – Week 3

    Originally published here.


    This week I returned to work and found it tough to find the time to devote to #crit101.
    Completing the activities and readings was out of my reach, so in an effort to try and continue, I decided to at least read the references. I left the tabs open on my computer for the whole week but it wasn't until the weekend that I managed to get back to them. 

    The required activities were:

    • Read and critique the #egg research project conducted by your group. Analyse and evaluate the validity and reliability of your research.
      • Write and publish a 500-750 word critique (in Google Docs), making reference to both the article and your weekly reading. References should adhere to the Harvard system.
    • Complete a blog post reflecting on the week’s assignment and your progress (include a link to the published assignment)
      • How did this week’s reading and assignment build on last weeks?
      • How has it added to your understanding of conducting effective research?
      • How do these skills fit in with your understanding of being an in(ter)dependent learner?
      • How much progress do you believe you have made as you approach the halfway point of the course?

    References:     

    #crit101 – Week 3

    Originally published here.


    This week I returned to work and found it tough to find the time to devote to #crit101.
    Completing the activities and readings was out of my reach, so in an effort to try and continue, I decided to at least read the references. I left the tabs open on my computer for the whole week but it wasn't until the weekend that I managed to get back to them. 

    The required activities were:

    • Read and critique the #egg research project conducted by your group. Analyse and evaluate the validity and reliability of your research.
      • Write and publish a 500-750 word critique (in Google Docs), making reference to both the article and your weekly reading. References should adhere to the Harvard system.
    • Complete a blog post reflecting on the week’s assignment and your progress (include a link to the published assignment)
      • How did this week’s reading and assignment build on last weeks?
      • How has it added to your understanding of conducting effective research?
      • How do these skills fit in with your understanding of being an in(ter)dependent learner?
      • How much progress do you believe you have made as you approach the halfway point of the course?

    References:     

    #crit101 – Week 2

    Originally published here.


    Our instructions this week were to complete a blog post reflecting on the week’s reading and research project:
    §  What did you learn about the research process?
    §  How successful were you in completing the research project? Include a link to your groups’ published assignment.
    §  Were you an effective collaborator? (Be honest!)
    §  What challenges did you face/overcome during the project?

    This week I returned to work after the Christmas break. Luckily it was a short week as there was a holiday for Australia Day on Monday. Along with my team, I was busy preparing for the new courses in our upgraded program. I am trying to influence my colleagues to use some of the great free tools available for blended learning.
    With work taking priority this week, I found it difficult to find enough quality time to devote to #crit101. However, I did have a go at the ‘egg research’ and looked at the resources (particularly liked the one about using Google more effectively for research).
    I was really interested in the research process outlined by James. My previous experience with research has been around ‘action research’ (qualitative?) which tends to look more at case studies, and evaluating and analysing literature to reach a conclusion. The concept of triangulation was also new to me. I was a little lost at first in what the expectations were for the task, but when the other group members started contributing, I made an effort to ‘get my head around it’.
    On reading the most recent group contributions, I wondered whether I was completely off track. But as time was running out, I decided to edit the material that was there and adjust it according to James’ recommendations.  At the same time I attempted to combine the work I had completed so that it related to the content already there.  I’m not sure if I was ‘drawing a long bow’ by adding my material, so I am looking forward to feedback.
    I also had a little trouble correctly adding the website references – in previous work I have always only written the link and the access date. This was at a time when there were no clear cut rules for referencing of sites, so it was great to get the (very prompt) reminder from James that they needed to be as per the Harvard method. I had another look at the linked information and made an effort to rectify the work I had included.
    So did I collaborate effectively? Unfortunately I have been suffering from a terrible summer cold and not the feeling the brightest. Nevertheless, I would probably been a more effective group member had I participated earlier. On reflection, I would have been better off spending more time reading all the blogs and getting better acquainted with my other group members – interacting more with them. I did look at twitter and completed the questionnaires as requested by others.
    My biggest challenge this week was finding the time to participate- and that will become even more difficult over the next few weeks as the new semester starts on the 11th Feb. At the same time I am very keen to continue, so I will try to organise my time so I can do some work earlier in the week and allow time for follow up on the weekend. 

    #crit101 – Week 2

    Originally published here.


    Our instructions this week were to complete a blog post reflecting on the week’s reading and research project:
    §  What did you learn about the research process?
    §  How successful were you in completing the research project? Include a link to your groups’ published assignment.
    §  Were you an effective collaborator? (Be honest!)
    §  What challenges did you face/overcome during the project?

    This week I returned to work after the Christmas break. Luckily it was a short week as there was a holiday for Australia Day on Monday. Along with my team, I was busy preparing for the new courses in our upgraded program. I am trying to influence my colleagues to use some of the great free tools available for blended learning.
    With work taking priority this week, I found it difficult to find enough quality time to devote to #crit101. However, I did have a go at the ‘egg research’ and looked at the resources (particularly liked the one about using Google more effectively for research).
    I was really interested in the research process outlined by James. My previous experience with research has been around ‘action research’ (qualitative?) which tends to look more at case studies, and evaluating and analysing literature to reach a conclusion. The concept of triangulation was also new to me. I was a little lost at first in what the expectations were for the task, but when the other group members started contributing, I made an effort to ‘get my head around it’.
    On reading the most recent group contributions, I wondered whether I was completely off track. But as time was running out, I decided to edit the material that was there and adjust it according to James’ recommendations.  At the same time I attempted to combine the work I had completed so that it related to the content already there.  I’m not sure if I was ‘drawing a long bow’ by adding my material, so I am looking forward to feedback.
    I also had a little trouble correctly adding the website references – in previous work I have always only written the link and the access date. This was at a time when there were no clear cut rules for referencing of sites, so it was great to get the (very prompt) reminder from James that they needed to be as per the Harvard method. I had another look at the linked information and made an effort to rectify the work I had included.
    So did I collaborate effectively? Unfortunately I have been suffering from a terrible summer cold and not the feeling the brightest. Nevertheless, I would probably been a more effective group member had I participated earlier. On reflection, I would have been better off spending more time reading all the blogs and getting better acquainted with my other group members – interacting more with them. I did look at twitter and completed the questionnaires as requested by others.
    My biggest challenge this week was finding the time to participate- and that will become even more difficult over the next few weeks as the new semester starts on the 11th Feb. At the same time I am very keen to continue, so I will try to organise my time so I can do some work earlier in the week and allow time for follow up on the weekend.