Monthly Archives: March 2011

Mar 29 2011

Incredible students

I have amazing students and I am so proud to be working with them.  The ACE Scholars program put on the Un-Hushed conference and showcased their many talents.

I love teaching…I am seeing so much creativity and critical thinking that I am excited about the future of the profession.  Being able to adapt to change and make the change work for social justice is wonderful.

Social justice is a recurring theme among many of my colleagues as well…how can we equalize, or better yet, stop marginalizing difference?  It is through the work of these students and my colleagues – we will make a difference.

 

Mar 16 2011

Learning how to pass a course

Learning….what does it mean?  Does it mean I passed a course?  No…although I’m beginning to think that is all that matters – not content knowledge, not new ideas, just entering the profession with the appropriate letters.  At what point does higher ed become professional training?

In a sense it is professional training – learning the vocabulary of a group, learning to interact with group members – but I also expected some professional freedom.  Freedom for new ideas, fresh discourse, freedom from those that marginalize others…is it still out there?  In the confines of a particular genre obviously, but still freedom to disagree…not maintain the party  line…

Not what do you learn or what do you contribute, but here is what you have to “do” to finish this degree.  I want to learn – I’m not interested in a mechanistic passage…but an exciting, reflexive path that allows for transformation…it will happen…

Mar 15 2011

Part-time Ph.D.

Wow…not sure what to say.  The work is so rewarding and the colleagues are wonderful, but it is so hard.  I know, I know,  a Ph.D. should be hard and I agree – my career is also fulfilling and wow…need to get it done.  Adult Education is a passion of mine and studying it while also acting it is even more intriguing.  I can see how some of these theories work and how context is so important to them all – some work for me, some work for others,  perhaps some work for none…still figuring that out.  CAn I study my experience for a diss?  I don’t think so, but a biography of the part-time phd would be great…a guidebook so to speak…something we can also hand out to our other adult students.  I used to think the end would come, but it never ends…the research is ongoing – as it should be – and our role as educators must always be this hard – we need to get things done, bring about change and transformation

although sometimes I do look for the end,  my spirit always renews…

Mar 13 2011

Homecoming and informal learning

It is always nice to be home…I’ve been thinking about my experience in Nashville and the ways it can shape my instruction.  That sounds crazy perhaps but I experienced so much – often through informal learning.  Libraries are integral to informal learning – and my experience at the library and museums told me so much.  In addition the spoken word – visiting places such as the Opry and Loveless allows me to hear people discuss history, what/who shaped them as people, musicians, and there is so much that can be harnessed for formal learning – ways we can take these traditions and inform our students.

It was a wonderful, transformational week.

 

Mar 11 2011

Information Literacy Everywhere…

I’m in Nashville for the SITE Conference and took some time to see the sights.  One of the most interesting was the country music hall of fame – interesting in may ways.  I was so taken by the exhibits and the glass walls that show the library and archives.  It gave me some instant ideas to share with my info lit students.  This is a museum and archive; however, there are so many ways librarians can incorporate history into their info lit classes.  So many institutions offer these unique glimpses into the past – glimpses that help shape our future and our understanding of the world.  I can’t wait to put together the next “lecture” for class and a big thanks to the librarians at the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Frist Library and Archive

Mar 8 2011

SITE Conference

I am presenting at the SITE conference tomorrow with my colleague Jada Williams – faculty adoption of technology.  I think it will be a fun presentation, but as usual I’m hoping the technology works.  I hope to hear some of the library talks among others.  This is my first time at SITE so if you are there come say hello!

Mar 1 2011

TL Habermas Freire Kuhn Mezirow

Transformative Learning is a wonderful tool; however, I sometimes think that Mezirow isn’t given enough credit?  When I look at the scholars who undergird TL I believe it does encompass more than the individual.  Granted Thomas Kuhn and is views on normal science have always been a favorite of mine, but to see the way the discursive process runs through all of these thoughts is wonderful.

The discursive process enhances the individual and society – I don’t that Mezirow can be dismissed in so many ways when his theory is grounded in the aspects of the concious and unconcious.  The dialogue between Dirkx and Mezirow is excellent and I believe Mezirow shows the finer points of bringing the unconcious to the discursive product.

These are ramblings on my midterm…