Teacher Education Policy in Europe

It felt good to enjoy a relaxing evening with colleagues at the beautiful university of Helsinki after our presentation at the TEPE conference. This is the sort of experience I value in my work as a university lecturer, particularly when I have collaborated with others.

TEPE 2013 Conference Helsinki

Delighted to be in Helsinki with a colleague to present a paper at the Teacher Education Policy in Europe conference about peer support for technology enhanced learning.

Writing to develop thinking

In the process of writing about our action research project, Peer Support for Technology Enhanced Learning, I have arrived at a pattern/schematic to match the development of activities.  The time limitation of the project is helpful.  I have a deadline for completing the project activity, spending the project money, handing in the final draft of the project paper...  These time markers move me forward into action, and it is through action in the world that I develop my thinking. As Pelias (2011) articulates, "in that moment of composition, I come to see what I believe, what I did not know before I started writing" (p.659).  As Pelias helpfully proposes, I am aware that I am writing into the project, rather than writing it up.

Late arrival

I was sorry that I had to miss most of yesterday's discussion over tea and cakes. Like many others I like the idea of Patrik's 'bun club'. It will be difficult to replicate it, but it is worth having a go.
To me the the barrier is the balance of commitment and preparedness to make time - commiting to something means time has to be made, I wonder if colleagues are not commiting because they are pressured for time?

Peer Support Tea

I am looking forward to our Peer Support tea tomorrow.  This is planned as a time to stop within the faculty, enjoy tea and cakes together, share our experiences in relation to learning and teaching, discuss our use of digital technologies to enhance the learning experience, talk about our research, establish opportunities for peer support.

Peer support - documenting the process

I am delighted that you can post messages here! This will help to document the process of peer support and articulate how it works in this context.

I enjoyed the discussions we had this afternoon.
Y3 students will appreciate the support offered in the planned workshop. It should enable them to edit their webfolios to become  a realistic representation of their progress.

I have accepted your invitation and can now post to the blog - think.

A collegial day

We had a very productive day at Wyboston Lakes on Thursday.  A number of academics from lecturers to dean, two Academic Liaison Librarians and one Technology Enhanced Learning Coordinator gathered for a day of discussions about peer support of e-learning and research.
We had time to stop in our busy schedules, lunch together and commune in un-hurried and supportive conditions.  The day was in line with one of the core purposes of universities, to foster intellectual activity.

Adapting to the digital age: a narrative approach

Adapting to the digital age: a narrative approach