Eventyr

Time and the Value of No

ResMeth week three completed fine, despite flu and general incoherence.

I think it is going well for everyone.

I'm glad I decided to do this, despite not really having the time.  A fact that was brought home today as I realised I was trying to teach time-management and the value of 'saying no' while I was:

• Doing my full-time DPhil
• Co-Organising the Coding Dojo
• Co-Organising the HCT Seminars
• Working as part of my CASE Studentship
• Carrying out research for Agile Narratives
• Work 15 hours a week for Hertfordshire
• Teaching at postgraduate level
• Finishing off a distance-learning PGCert in Narrative Research
• Trying to learn Java
• Some paper reviewing for the Agile Alliance
• Other stuff, like trying to retain a life

Who am I to teach the value of keeping your weekends free?

Research Methods

This graduate course aims to help students understand science and the scientific method, and looks at research in academic and industrial contexts. It also aims to provide practical skills in finding and using sources of research information, research management, and basic data analysis techniques.

I've decided that I really like teaching DPhil Students.  I suspect taking over the Research Methods Course this term falls under the category of a good plan.

Strategy Association

Finally submitted my extra piece of coursework for the Associate Tutor course at Sussex.  Presuming it goes through this means that I will be Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA) and Higher Education Academy (HEA) accredited (Registered Associate Practitioner status for the latter).

In order to pass I needed to display in my portfolio that I had met the following criteria:

SEDA Values:
V1  An understanding of how people learn
V2  Scholarship, professionalism and ethical practice,
V3  Working in and developing learning communities,
V4  Working effectively with diversity and promoting inclusivity,
V5  Continued reflection on professional practice,
V6  The development of both people and of educational processes and systems

SEDA outcomes:
O1  Identified your own professional development goals, directions or priorities
O2  Planned for your initial and/or continuing professional development
O3  Undertaken appropriate development activities
O4  Reviewed your development and your practice, and the relations between them.
O5  Enabled learning O6  Used a variety of appropriate learning approaches
O7  Used a variety of methods for evaluating your teaching role
O8  Informed your professional role with relevant strategy, policy and quality considerations

I managed on all but the final point (O8), so yesterday submitted a final additional document about the HEFCE Widening Participation Strategy, the Sussex Learning and  Teaching Policy [pdf] and the Associate Tutor Policy.

Fun.

At least it is now done.