In my GMail this morning was confirmation that I will be presenting a L2Talk at the forthcoming Learning2 Conference in Shanghai (in 2 weeks time!). This conference, designed for K-12 educators with a focus on international schools, is one I have been very involved with in the past as a presenter and as an organiser but have not had any connection for 5 years now. In 2017 it is the 10th anniversary of Learning2 and I am delighted to be invited back again.
I am already attending as a Learning 2 Leader and presenting what is called an extended session. My session, Classroom Connections: From Local to Global, is designed for classroom teachers and also for education leaders (alternate days). I am looking forward to meeting old and new friends in Shanghai! Here is my promotion video....
My challenge before then is to come up with a L2Talk! This is a 3-5 minutes presentation supported by visuals that align with Presentation Zen ideals, and can be delivered from memory - NO reading of notes.
One idea I have is to share my PhD journey.....wondering how boring this might be?....but if I did it in a semi-humerous way, maybe it would work??
This is what I am thinking of so far.....VERY rough notes to get me thinking about a plan and whether this topic will provide inspiration to the conference cohort....
Why you should NOT do a PhD
- Once upon a time I was a teacher in K-12, and an educational technology leader
- and everyday I would….collaborate globally, write books about global collaboration, attend conferences and speak...
- Then one day I decided it was time to put practice into theory - I was witnessing a change in education, a change in pedagogy that was powerful, dynamic and compelling - but only a handful of educators 'got it' so far. Why?
- Because of that.....
- I enrolled to do an EdD
- Honed in on what was important to me
- Focused on a corner of the world of online global colaboration that I could research and become the expert in
- Because of that
- It took a long time to complete course work, write up proposal, be approved
- I decided a 4-year in and out EdD degree was not possible
- I was approved for a PhD - why not? I thought
- Until finally - 5 years later....and about 1 year out from completion (I hope)
- Right now I feel like I know less, although I know I must know more.
- When asked about my 'Theoretical framework'? I respond with baby talk - you know, the full blowing bubbles, incoherent response
- Member checking? Sure...it's my usual approach....what?
- Big celebration this week - Chapter 4 is 'done' and Chapter 5 is in a good draft format - these are both data presentation chapters (let's not think about the Chapter 2 literature review I need to redo, or Chapter 3 methodology I need to redo, or Chapters 6 (data analysis) .....or the top and ending chapters)
- Resolution -
- do not do a PhD because it sounds cool
- do not do a PhD to sound cool
- do not do a PhD for the pay rise (!) or employment prospects
- do not do a PhD quickly - it is a journey of discovery - celebrate the small steps
- Do a PhD for personal growth, etc etc passion, commitment etc
- A PhD is a humbling experience - you feel vulnerable - you make mistakes - doing a PhD has changed my life
- But, when I finally get my PhD, it will only be the beginning of the next chapter of my life as an educator, as an academic....as a thought leader....
Thoughts? Does this sound inspiring? Or should I be more serious and do something like this presentation I created for the Charles Sturt University 2017 ThinkPiece series this year?
See you next Tuesday...
Julie Lindsay
PhD student.......thinking about thinking
No comments:
Post a Comment