September 2009 – Page 2 – Silence and Voice

Upon Receiving Peer Review

In the same way that it can be a humbling experience to offer peer review, it can be downright distressing to receive it!

I have noticed 2 tendencies, now that I received my Lancaster paper back for its first revision. The first is–the reviewers missed my point; how can they say that?! The second is–ok, perhaps they did identify some areas for improvement, let me edit everything to meet their expectations. Both tendencies seem problematic to me.

It is easier to be defensive and push back than to acknowledge that perhaps they did notice some things I said or did that I did not realize. It is often so beneficial to get the feedback from others who have not lived and breathed the research in the same way. This is very challenging, for in some ways pointing out that the emperor has no clothes (or that they clash, are threadbare, are not stylish, or don’t fit) demonstrates we (me?) am not as clear and to the point as I like to think I (we) am.

Once getting over the “Oh, god!” from above, I have noticed that my second tendency is to want to make changes to everything to fit the review. That is also very problematic, as I have suffered and worked extra hard before because there have been hostile reviewers have been difficult for no reason, while others have come from a different paradigm, wanted to be difficult, demonstrate a power imbalance, remake me in their image, not know enough about the topic or method to be credible, or even say something needs work for its own sake. There is some of the feedback that I do think may be a bit off, so when the revision gets submitted next week, we also need to track how we responded to and addressed each piece of feedback.

Fix what needs to be fixed, and explain why some things are better left alone.

As I will continue to process this, one thing is for sure–I have a lot of work to do this weekend (it is due next week!).

Understanding My PhD Journey, Round 1

I wrote about an interesting concept that is developing in my Foundations of CoP workshop, where it seems a number of us are working on PhD studies. I wanted to share my thoughts here about my own program at Lancaster, both because our current task (aside from revising my paper, where I get my feedback back tomorrow) is to consider what we are learning through our research practice and where we are right now. With this in mind, I am sharing an element of something I wrote in the workshop, where I started to muse on about my doctoral journey.

I looked long and hard at distance PhD programs, and found that none of the ones in the US met my needs (both of interest and of finance). I think of myself as somewhat transdisciplinary, and the idea of going a mile deep in such a narrow area (as if knowledge can be compartmentalized) is a foreign concept for me. Thus, I needed a program that would allow a bit of flexibility. Ok, more than a bit of flexibility–I needed a program where I can create and develop as I go along, one that will meet my somewhat complex and postmodern needs.

In some ways the Lancaster program has somewhat of an American model, in that there are courses and shared learning during part of it, and then the independent component during the rest. As I learned, much of the rest of the world does not have the formalized coursework that is rather standard in nearly all US programs. However, I find that my program is very open to interpretation when we are asked to “apply what we are learning to our practice”–I take great liberty with how I understand and make sense of my own practice–and thus far have felt very supported in my program without feeling constrained at all. I do feel comfortable with my degree program situated within an Educational Research department.

For my own community of practice support, I have found that much of my network, which is Twitter and blog focused, is either on the PhD route or has recently completed it. However, it does not have the CoP framework around it . . .

Foundations of Communities of Practice Workshop – Tonight!

So, tonight begins CPsquare’s Foundations of Communities of Practice workshop. I have thought about taking this before, but neither the time nor the funding was flowing easily, so what better time than the present?!

I will be in the capable hands of Etienne Wenger, the CoP (Communities of Practice) guru, John D. Smith, a community coach and technologist with whom I have worked before, and Bronwyn Stuckey, an educational researcher and online facilitator whose navigation of time and space amazes me. I have read about and studied CoP for some time now, though really like the idea of focusing on it as an experience in itself.

As my doctoral program at Lancaster University is focused around the CoP (network learning) model, and as my recent research uses CoPs as the theoretical framework, I thought that spending some time with colleagues who have related interests may be a good experience.

Wonder what I will learn over the seven weeks, and how my own learning framework may develop . . .

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2009-09-16

Is there any way to get FaceBook notifications when people “like” something? #
Awake early yet again walking the dogs. Trying to get some work done before I leave for the office. #
I just updated the little blurb about me on the right side of my blog http://bit.ly/2d4Xqq #
Decided to register for CPsquare’s Foundations of Communities of Practice workshop http://bit.ly/3vWlLA #
Post Office was just mobbed with a line out the door at closing. Wonder if there is a return to letter writing or free checking bill pay?! #
2 new comments on “kipworld” and more http://bt.io/CxJ #
RT @tweetmeme AMAZING: Students Build $150 Space Camera [Pics] http://bit.ly/W5JJW #

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2009-09-15

In the office early trying to catch up a bit. #
The Leno skit with President Obama was quite funny. #
Seinfeld is wonderful on Leno. How does Jerry still look and sounds the best. Hard to believe his show has been off for 11 years. #
Leno; “If you are going to sleep around, sleep American.” Something about cash for clunkers . . . #
The acr wash skit on Leno is about 7 minutes too long. #
Did Leno just say the RamRod and the Sphincter? Wonder where the latter is? #
Jay’s opening music? Could it get any more boring? Seems more like daytime than prime time. #
Very excited Jay Leno is finally on. #
Hairo Torres was excellent, but his act has been better. He will have a great future. #
Barbara Padilla is singing wonderfully. #
Finally leaving the office, with fresh ground coffee from Zabar’s in hand. #
Helping a colleague register her domain name. Rather important to own your online identity. #
and the meetings begin. #