The plan for 2007

The eureka moment idea I had was not regarded as suitable by my supervisors. With some new strategies in place, they think I will get more participants next time.

Next year I will actually go to Wollongong and spend some time with potential participants. This will happen on 3rd March 2007 at a Saturday workshop when the next design subject starts.
I will talk about my experiences doing the subject and how I am using what I learned in my work as an educational designer and teacher. I can also introduce the research in particular the reflective framework and talk about how they will be able to use it. I will also get them to fill out the questionnaire in class. I prefer online questionnaires to save time on the analysis but it would be silly not to take advantage of the f2f opportunity. Unless I can get a computer lab for the purpose.

In the meantime:

1. review the reflective framework and prompts in light of the three design objects and supporting statements, and possible project log. - BH

2. hear re arrangements for the Saturday workshop on 3 March 2007

- I will outline some ideas for what I will cover (introduce research, my experience with the design subject and how I am now using it in my practice, focus group re reflection, get them to fill in questionnaire) for sue to critique

3. receive the new subject outline i.e. explanation for the assessments and dates for submission from sue later on this year.

4. develop some specific criteria that can be used with the supporting statements to bring out reflection re professional practice, and send for critique e.g. how well did you achieve your design goals?

5. develop some criteria for analysing the quality of the reflections

6. support statement instructions to be rewritten so it is more reflective

7. pilot report to be reviewed by supervisors to decide which bits to include in methodology -

8. Prepare timeline for data collection and analysis

Thoughts about how to attract participants

I had a eureka moment the other day about what I could do to attract participants for my research using the reflective framework I have developed. Since the initial idea to embed it in a course at the University of Wollongong was not lucrative re getting enough participants.

It makes sense to ask my networks and students in the design course to have a look at the framework to see both what they think about it and also to ask them if they'd be interested in using the framework with their blogs and learning logs to re-examine them reflectively.

Reflective framework














I will have to re-apply for ethics approval of course providing my supervisors like the idea but it would be better to undertake the research more openly I think away from a restriction such as having the framework tied to a class assignment. That is of course if people think the framework is useful and they will take the time to use it. I have started a wiki called brondocresearch where interested people can contribute.


























More detail about how to use the framework on my wiki.

1. Analyse the experience 3.1 Why these decisions? Analyse your actions and decisions. Think about why they were useful and how they helped. This process will assist you to become a more active learner. Prompts: § Comment on what worked and what didn’t. § Think about how your actions and decisions may help your teaching. § Consider the links between learning theory and your teaching/design practice. § Indicate what you learned. Tips: Be honest with yourself, and use the information to get a clearer picture of how you learn. Use diagrams etc to illustrate your point.

3.2 What was your reaction? Brief notes on your emotional and physical responses will help you better understand the way you learn. This will help you in future to choose strategies which suit your learning style. Prompts: § Comment on what you liked or did not like about your ideas. § Think about what could have been done better. § Indicate some strategies which may help next time. § Did it cause you to rethink your ideas about teaching/design? Tips: Keep an open mind and seek assistance from a mentor or peer as necessary.