Learning Studio
Bob Dylan
The Doctoral Journey
Many doctoral learners are anxious to find and focus on a dissertation topic early in their program. Often they are even trying to think through their methodology (e.g., I would like to survey...and determine…). They often get frustrated with this exercise because they haven’t thoroughly explored the topic including existing research.
Thoughts on Scholarly Writing
Writing a scholarly paper is one of the first challenges that faces the new graduate student. The first reaction is often, “what is a scholarly paper?” “How does it differ from previous papers that I have written?” The scholarly paper differs from other writing in four fundamental areas: content, references, format, and the writing process itself. Read more...
Online Dialogue
To create an experience online that is more than just a digital correspondence course requires that we: (a) have a common understanding of what dialogue means; (b) create the right environment; and (c) balance inquiry and advocacy.
Finding a Dissertation Chair/Mentor
According to Websters "mentor" is a noun that originally was the name of a friend of Odysseus entrusted with the education of Odysseus' son Telemachus. It is now used to mean a trusted counselor, guide, tutor or coach.
Tools for the Digital Scholar
Technology has dramatically changed the process of research over the past couple of decades. Once a process dominated by paper and filing cabinets it is now a digital process with portable digital filing cabinets on a laptop. In addition to the advances in digital storage and retrieval of data on the local computer, the modern digital scholar can conduct an entire literature review online without leaving home.
Mind Mapping
I have found mind mapping to be very helpful in developing ideas, exploring concepts, developing presentations and papers. I often will use mind maps to identify the key variables, relationships, and contextual factors that form the conceptual framework for a research project. Read more...
Presenting
As an adult learner you are often required to present your ideas both in class and at work. Here are two videos with some great tips on creating and delivering great presentations. Read more....
Richard Feynman
What is "social" science? One of my favorite “characters” was Richard Feynman a Nobel Prize winning Physicist. His 1974 Caltech commencement address offers an interesting perspective on social science or as he puts it Cargo Cult Science This is a must read for all social scientists! For more on Richard Feynman check out the You Tube Videos: My Favorite Short Clips from the interviews - The Pleasure of Finding Things Out.
Randy Pausch
If you haven’t seen Randy’s last lecture then you are missing an inspirational experience. Read more...
Joseph Juran
Everyone in the quality profession was saddened to learn that Dr. Juran passed away on February 28, 2008 at the age of 103. He made so many contributions to the field it would take volumes to describe them all. Read more...
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is a scholar? Ralph Waldo Emerson offers some interesting and maybe timeless insights in his speech The American Scholar. Ignoring the dated references to gender - some of my favorite quotes from this speech are:
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“Inaction is cowardice, but there can be no scholar without the heroic mind.” -
“The office of the scholar is to cheer, to raise, and to guide men by showing them facts amidst appearance.”
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“In self trust all the virtues are comprehended. Free should the scholar be – free and brave.”
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“The scholar is that man who must take up into himself all the ability of the time, all the contribution of the past, all the hopes of the future.”
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“We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds.”
Seth Godin
In his recent Fast Company article Seth Godin warns us against Pigeons and other fundamentalists. His basic premise is an old one – correlation does not equate to causation. He writes: "The pigeon will assume a cause-and-effect relationship that doesn't really exist."
He goes on to say, "That's what a superstition is: a compulsion to take an action that has no influence on the desired outcome." Check out the entire Fast Company article at: The Threat of Pigeons and Other Fundamentalists
Why Twitter?
Recently, at the local coffee shop, my entrepreneur buddies convinced me that Twitter was indeed a useful business tool. So I checked it out. Read more...
Conducting Virtual Meetings
The graduate distance learner often has to participate in conference calls with their committee for activities such as comprehensive exams, dissertation proposal orals, and dissertation defense. This mind map addresses six areas that are key to understanding and conducting successful teleconferences including: purposes, key players, agenda, communication media, scheduling, and preparing.
Select an Online University
If you are in the market for an online university visit Dr. Chad McAllister’s site at: http://selectanonlineuniversity.com/
From: Dr Chad McAllister Hi Everyone -- I am asking for your help. After being frequently asked about online education, I have started a blog to deal with selecting an online school, how to do well, and how to leverage the experience for future success. This new writing project of mine is not related to a specific university. I need current and past online students to respond to a question. What have you liked and disliked about your online learning experience? Please avoid sharing names of specific universities.
The post is at: http://selectanonlineuniversity.com/selecting-a-school/online-learning-take-it-or-leave-it-but-most-of-us-love-ice-cream/ and you can reply by scrolling to the bottom of the post. Please avoid mentioning specific schools in your post as the desire is to help others make an informed decision, not evaluate any one university. Also, please consider following the blog via twitter at http://twitter.com/ChadMcAllister and commenting in the future. Thank you in advance for considering this and posting a reply with your experience!
Learning Studio “Menu”
Finding a Mentor or Dissertation Chair
Digital Scholar - Tools
Presenting - Tips and Techniques
Richard Feynman - Theoretical Physicist
Randy Pausch - The Last Lecture
Joseph Juran - Reflection on his passing...
The Learning Studio provides a collection of ideas on a variety of topics relevant to scholar-practitioners in general and practitioners pursuing a doctoral degree in particular. Topics include: the doctoral journey, scholarly writing, online dialogue, mentoring, and colloquia bonus material.
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