Workshop 5 While it's still fresh!

Hi Everyone,
I thought I would leave a post while everything is still fresh... so here we go!

Reflecting back on today's workshop I think it was very beneficial to do the "paper-trade" at the end. I'm not sure how many of you have read my post from last week (I just posted it last night!) but I expressed the need for a study group. It was reassuring to know I wasn't the only one and that there are actually people that are interested in meeting outside of class. Although my schedule is pretty tight, I would like to meet at least a couple of times before our Project Plan is due. Anyone interested? Leave a post and we'll work something out.

Also, I was happy that Lynda chose to go over some of Dave Andrew's work. I highly recommend reading all of his books! I had the awesome opportunity to meet him last year and have since been a big fan. In reference to 1st order change and 2nd order change, it has made rethink about what I'm doing. Would it make more sense to just find a local youth basketball program and expand on it? I'm thinking it might... chances are they've already been through the process that I'm going through right now.

I have a lot more that I would like to pour out, but to be tactful... I'll blog it and save it for the next post! :)

I look forward to hearing from you guys!

Rachel



REPLY 1
Hi Rachel,

I am replying to your week 4 & 5 posting all in the same breath so to speak. Like you & others I have been feeling very fruastrated about people not responding to my project. Is fine for others to say CD is a slow process but when we have an assessment deadline is hard to be patient. I just heard back re my project that people have been away sick & others are on holiday hence the lack of response. I have once again explained the situaiton & it will be looked at within the next 2 weeks. The nice thing is that we are being assessed on the process/thinking not how sucessful the completed project is. I feel that Lynda appears to really understand some of the difficulities we face making this project a reality. There is strength in numbers & you are not alone.

As for marrying theory to our practice again we are in the same boat. During my field placement last year I was given an interesting piece of advice on how to deal with the almost overwhelming amount of information in the field. Just pretend it is a mud wrap, first step wrap yourself in it, allow it to be absorbed, then unwrap it & see what clear skin you have! So from that am going to just spend quality time reading, absorb for a few days then unwrap or try to make sense of it & apply it to my project.

From my experience in developing my project am thinking local might be the most managable. I kep coming up with international ideas that were in my mind great but when faced with the reality of time etc just unmanagable. Thsi has been a huge mind change for me as I have always thought & acted on a global scale. Is amazing the seeds that were sown in childhood that have really taken root in my thinking. Have you tried your local PCYC as they might have a basketball team. As a sport it is really becoming popular with local youth, I asked some of the teen-age boys I work with & they were huge fans but unable to play due to the cost :(

Rachel think the best we can all do is support each other, offer words of encouragement & if needed a shoulder to cry on, coffee & chocolate :) Oh there seems to be a few of us that think a study group would be great. Maybe on a Wed afternoon as that seems to follow on from our timetables over the last few weeks.

Keep smiling



REPLY 2
Hi Rachel,

Thanks for you suggestion, I guess your project is going well and I am waiting to learn something about it. I am willing and would like to sit and discuss with you about our project. Please feel free show me know your timetable.

My project is to build environmental action groups and I am planning to do this. I have searched to find books on this issue but I did not get any. If you know something that are valuable for my project, please let me know.

With best wishes,




REPLY 3
Hi there,

I was glad to see your interest in a study group. I am also interested bacause i am at the stage where i am reading the reading pack given to us by Linda and its a bit challenging as some of the readings are not straight forward. It would be great to meet and exchage wisdom as to how to integrate theory with practice. Have a look at my post and you will see some of the readings i found useful.

Kind regards,



REPLY 4
great idea - and don't forget, these are simply the ones I thought would be useful. I tried to find at least three articles each week that would appraoch the issue from a very different angle. If they're not helpful, then don't feel you have to plough through them. Each workshop has a huge list of additional resources and part of the research process is trying to find literature that speaks to your needs. Just keep thinking: "it's a menu" not a battle plan!




REPLY 5
Hey Rachel and everyone,

I'm not sure if anyone will look here now that we've gone into another week, but perhaps someone will as they are both called week 5??? Anyway, just wanted to mention that I'd be interested in the study group also (although like everyone it depends on the day and time). I saw someone mentioned a Wedns. afternoon... have you guys confirmed anything yet?