#SoTLWalk June

Identities in Crisis My reflections this month are a bit late. Too much going on. Too many directions to run into. Too much input. Too much expected outputs. Too many turn-around timelines. Too much. On all levels. But this rainy Scottish weekend, brings–unexpectedly–time. It was too wet even for us to go for a long … Continue reading #SoTLWalk June

#FOS201 OER and OEP

Today’s topic on the FOS201 Course was OERs my academic knowledge around OERs is rudimentary at best, an image that came to mind during the FOS201 reflection was that I use OER like the fancy coffee machine in our seminar room. I use it when we are permitted to, let my colleagues know when they … Continue reading #FOS201 OER and OEP

Mindful Breaks

Mindfulness Mindfulness has been a bit of a tricky topic for me. I cannot stand having to sit or lie still and then focus on my breathing. A friend of mine eventually suggested to read an article about walking meditation [1,2]. Much better. I often take my camera. The camera asks for a focus, and … Continue reading Mindful Breaks

Reflective Practice

The view from over your own shoulder Evaluating your teaching. This was the CPD session I ran today for university teachers at all levels. Technicians who ensure that researchers learn to work complex (and expensive) equipment, tutors, graduate teaching assistants, and lecturers. One of the things that strikes me most when teaching sessions on evaluating … Continue reading Reflective Practice

Judgements

Today made me think about judgements a lot. Partially because it is this time of the year, where academia is running the personal development reviews, or annual reviews, or performance reviews–whatever your local label. Partially, because in a training session I ran today the topic of judgement came up in a very intensive debate. And … Continue reading Judgements

Working in the garden

Planting a tree is purposeful engagement; putting my winter rosemary into a bigger pot because it became pot-bound is an act of caring. I am pausing to observe the robin curiously observing me. The air is still chilly, and the winged ethnographer quickly loses interest in his subject. Working in my garden is an act of self-care and an act of deep work. Continue reading Working in the garden

Active Learning and Christmas Festivities

Originally posted on #LTHEchat:
Active Learning and Disruptive Pedagogies In this #LTHEChat, we would like to explore the disruptive potential of active learning.   It is probably easier to define what active learning is not, than what it is. While a concise definition for active learning remains elusive, during our Active Learning course, we have bought into Kovbasyuk and Blessinger’s (2013) ‘vision of education’ as an ‘open meaning-making process’; the interaction between the teacher, student and… Continue reading Active Learning and Christmas Festivities