Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Thank Goodness

Thank goodness the fact that I am behind in blogging does not reflect that I am behind in my classwork. (Not yet, at least...never say never.)

One of the things that is making this semester incredibly challenging is the content overlap among my courses. One week, all my courses were discussing multicultural/diversity issuesand I think all three courses at some point discussed feminist epistemology. Oh, and of course the actual overlap of assignment due dates. I thought I had everything planned out - so that no major papers were all due during the same week. Unfortunately, I volunteered (without consulting my calendar) to turn in a lit review and do a presentation on it during the same week I had papers for each of my other classes. Not my best work, but hey...it's done!

My motivation for getting my readings and assignments done without procrastinating and dilly-dallying has been The Rachel Maddow Show. I tempt myself by allowing myself to watch the podcast if I complete a certain amount of work that evening. If I do not, the podcast gets postponed to Friday (where I usually watch about 3 episodes in a row). P.S. I totally live for her "Moment of Geek" segments.

In other news, when I am too exhausted to read for class but not tired enough to fall asleep, I've been reading the 6th edition of the APA manual for "fun" (seriously, it's in my backpack right now). I am also tempted to buy this. Dr. M, I blame you for this. (And by "blame you," I mean "thank you.")

A recent reading for my intro class about action research has made me love research even more. While I know that I love research and reading about research methods, I am really feeling this is the direction I would like to go. Not just doing research that gets published into the dark hole of research journals, but research that is for actual change. I have yet to start on the chapter I selected for this week's reading for my seminar (on assessment) but I am excited to read it.

Okay, jumping around - did y'all read the NAS statement? I read it yesterday on the way home from work and I'm still somewhat in shock. Will post about it once I've recovered.

Two final bits:
1) I met with J.J. the "local expert" on geneartional studies. He is incredibly fabulous and supportive and full of information (and we talked about research a little, which was quite fun!) He also pointed me towards a few resources and gave me contact info for a couple of people that might have information for me. --This is for my seminar project on technology/social networking.
2) For my Intro to Higher Ed class, I am going to be interviewing Dr. N - who is the only prof in the department I've never had a class with...which is incredibly unfortunate as I think her work background and research might actually align best with my interests! In any case, she has agreed to meet with me and we will be discussing institutional research, assessment, and evaluation!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

More news...

Okay, can I just say that I think this is completely, amazingly awesome. How much of my soul will I have to sell for a seat in those classes? Hrm. Probably more than my soul is worth. Still, wow. Amazing mission.

I also think these folks and these folks are being a wee bit dramatic. Yes, we are headed towards a world of increasing technology, but I don't think higher educaiton is going to go completely digital in the next, oh, 20 or 30 years. Yes, there will be an increase in technology and technology will be increasingly incorporated into teaching pedagogy. But it will take more to dissolve the bricks and ivy out there. What do I think it will take? Well, as of now, the "elite" that run are country are still obsessed with Harvard and Yale. Until the elite start clamoring to go completely digial, I think we'll be safe. (Maybe if I could go to the institution mentioned in the previous paragraph, I'll be able to pick up a better framework for my argument.....)

Need a good laugh? Read this. I nearly peed myself. It made me realize exactly why Brown University does not give out grades below "C." (Well, technically, grades below "C" are given, but it's erased from your record like it never happened......)

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

In the News.....

So I generally follow the Chronicle (or shall I say, I pick and choose my way through the Chronicle) but since my seminar course involves discussion about current events, I'm also trying to stay on top of Inside Higher Ed, as well as keeping my eyes open for higher ed news in general. I'm just going to point out a few stories that really jumped out at me.

First, I know this isn't higher ed news, but I think it's important. It's Obama's address to America's children. Read the full speech here and look at the recommended classroom activities for K-6 here and for 7-12 here. Can someone tell me where the communist, socialist message is? Hrm. Maybe you have to listen to it backwards. If anything is offensive about this speech it's the last sentence, "Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America." (Though I doubt conservatives will complain about that...) In any case, it's an inspirational speech. As I've said since before Obama was elected, it will be interesting to see if having an African-American president can influence the young African-American children of today. Maybe more will go to school and stay in school and will be able to look to Obama as an example of what they can become. 

On to disgusting news. Personally, I find this appalling. Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab has great commentary about it here. I completely agree with her sentiments. As if Abercrombie & Fitch weren't bad enough......

In my intro to higher education class, we're talking about the marketing of higher education and how, essentially, you can buy an education and get a degree without having to sit in a classroom (i.e. University of Phoenix). There is so much online learning going on - hybrid classes, online classes that are part of community colleges, distance learning at universities...so many options. This is just another example of that - go as far as you can for $99 a month.

This article makes me think of the problem that is bigger than gossip sites like "Juicy Campus" and others that are springing up everywhere. The bigger problem is as technology continues to grow and expand to college campuses, how do you punish cyber crime? What can a campus do? What is the responsibility of the university? I don't think the government has a good idea how to handle cyber crime...this will definitely become a bigger issue in the future.

Finally, a feel good story! :) Check it out!

Monday, September 7, 2009

Go Figure...

LAST WEEK

Go figure that the only class I am required to be journaling about is the one I'm not writing about. I'm such a rebel. :-) Anyhow, readings for last week consisted of the first two chapters of "The Future of Higher Education" (by Newman, Couturier & Scurry = NCS) an article by Coye, "Ernest Boyer and the New American College: Connecting the 'disconnects'." 

The first chapters of the NCS text were relatively short, but packed with information about change in the realm of higher education due to what the authors attribute to competition, the market, technology, & globalization. Much of what was discussed is not new to me (students competing for colleges, colleges competing for students, rankings, and the consumerism of education) but I'm interested to find out more about things I know little about (i.e. the role of the government - state and federal - at public institutions and college systems). 

The Coye article definitely had me reminiscing of my undergraduate experience at Mount Holyoke College. First of all, can I say that this is my first introduction to Ernest Boyer (who passed away in 1995), who was the president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and seemed to be incredibly passionate about higher education. 

Boyer envisioned a "New American College" that "celebrates teaching and selectively supports research, while also taking special pride in its capacity to connect thought to action, theory to practice" (p. 23). The priorities of this "New American College" are: 1) Clarifying curriculum (a liberal education with a major, electives, and general education) which includes what is taught and how courses are taught, 2) Connecting beyond the classroom to create "interactive regional colleges" where students are engaged with the needs of their region, and 3) Creating campus community to create a scholarly and moral community where students can actively explore their values. In order to create a "New American College" Boyer recommended: service learning, internships, and capstone courses.

In class, Dr. C separated us into small groups based on institution type. Four of us were in the "private liberal arts college" category, three were in the "community college" category, and everyone else was in the "large public university" category. We discussed our experiences based on Boyer's categories of curriculum, connection beyond the classroom, and campus community. When we shared with the class, we found that most of our experiences were related to connection beyond the classroom and community while much of our classmates' had more under the "curriculum" category. Many students at large public institutions found community through their majors or through extracurricular activities (i.e. sports). As a class, we also discussed how location played a role campus community as well. Whether you're a small liberal arts college or a large public institution, if you're in the middle of Iowa, you've probably got more going on in regards to campus life and college community than schools (small or large) in New York City.

THIS WEEK

I managed to get myself ahead of the game for this week and finished my readings for this class over the long weekend. Readings included Ch 3 of the NCS text and two articles, Fischetti et al's "University of Phoenix: Beat 'em or Join 'em" and Hiltz & Turoff's "Education Goes Digital: The Evolution of Online Learning and the Revolution in Higher Education."

I love talking about technology and higher education so I'll talk about text first and save my technology talk for last!

Chapter 3 "The Coming of the Market" made me realize how little I know about how public institutions function in relation to the federal government, state legislation, and within university systems (for example, the Hawaii system that includes 3 universities and 7 community colleges). I received my degree from a private college, I spent a semester in DC at a private college, worked at a private university, and took some post-bacc courses at a private college. Now I am at UH, working for a university system, in a graduate program, and am...well...ignorant with regards to government regulation of education. As multi-campus systems are moving towards autonomy (from each other and from the government), the authors call for state by state debate and analysis of the restructuring of higher education.

"University of Phoenix: Beat 'em or Join 'em" offers an excellent background about the history of the institution and how it came to grow, and how they manage quality control and accreditation. Personally, I don't want to see all of higher education head in this direction. I think college campuses are important environments in which to learn and grow...however, I do see how the University of Phoenix has its niche. Really, it's brilliant. John Sperling saw a need/opportunity and went after it. Business is booming. I also liked how the article highlights other online options - such as community colleges, Keck Graduate Institute, and Ottawa University. As of now each does seem to be filling different needs - for example, community college online programs are more cost-effective than the University of Phoenix, and Keck Graduate institute offers training in very, very specific fields. 

The "Education Goes Digital" article speaks more towards "online learning" - what's out there, driving factors, and consequences. I think the most interesting points this article brings up are 1) the way technology has brought up questions about whether or not higher education is a "right" and 2) that technology is here to stay, technology changes, and campuses need to learn to accept and adapt to (and with) technological change. 

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Shifting Paradigms in Student Affairs...

Last week's readings for class were from Jane Fried's text "Shifting Paradigms in Student Affairs." As we discussed in class, I'm not sure exactly where she is headed - and thus far, the reading has been incredibly theory-based. I'm so glad that I took student development, student affairs and qualitative research methods BEFORE this course. Many references were made to paradigms, culture, and lenses, positivism, constructivism, as well as to student development theory - having already done some heavy reading in these areas (I think) make it easier for me to grasp the concepts she is throwing at us.

I think that thus far, the main points of the reading are: 1) the importance of diversity in an emerging paradigm, 2) understanding limitations of paradigms (i.e. of the scientific paradigm), and 3) the principles of American cultural paradigm that serve as the basis of society (and thus, the basis of American higher education) including: monotheism, two valued logic, materialism, individualism, and that a single reality exists.

Have we moved beyond this paradigm? Yes and no. I think we have come far from where society was when this book was written, but perhaps that may be more in understanding than it is in practice.

I've written many notes in the margins of the first three chapters, but for the sake of time, I will share just one. In discussing the limits of the scientific paradigm, Fried discusses the problem that life situations are not completely a cause and effect relationship (meaning that if x happens, this will cause y to happen, regardless). The important thing to remember is context - there is a context and, "Changing the context may well change the facts" (p. 34). This made me think of healthcare and the healthcare debate...imagine how much we could save if dollars were put into prevention and early diagnosis?

Anyhow, I better go read chapters 4-6 and catch up on reading the Chronicle and Inside Higher Ed...but before I run off, I wanted to share what my awesome idea for my project for this course! (Which I am incredibly excited about and mentioned in a previous post!!!) So for this course, one of our assignments is to create an "area of expertise" within student affairs and present a workshop to student affairs administrators. Daunting? Absolutely...what do I have to offer? Then I realized - hello, technology! Exactly what the focus will be, I'm not sure, but it will have something to do with the "digital generation," technology on campus, and the role technology has played in the role of students of this generation. I've found some awesome books on this topic already, and already started collecting articles on technology & social networking in the context of higher education. So, SO excited. (Prospectus due on Wednesday!!!)

Oh! One more exciting note. I took the recommendation of Dr. M and contacted J.J., the "local expert" on generational studies in higher education (he gives workshops, etc.). I've got a meeting with him on Thursday to toss some ideas around with him and see if he's got any ideas/recommendations or other connections for me! Man, I need to get my act together!

If I am able to put something good together, I will consider submitting it to the HERA (Hawaii Educational Research Association) conference. :) Yay for technology, and yay for higher education!

Disability Education

So I'm just starting out in this course - DIS 681 - Multicultural Issues in Disability. I am incredibly excited to learn more about the disability rights movement, disability culture, and the complexities that arise when disability intersects with multicultural issues.

After watching the Power of 504 (part 1 and part 2) Stan and I both recognized our lack of awareness about the history of the disability rights movement. Civil rights? Yes...but disability rights? Hrm...absent from our education. While watching MSNBC, I was appalled to see the behavior of people towards a disabled woman at a town hall on healthcare reform. The woman was in the front, in a wheelchair, making a plea for the voice of the disabled to be heard. A man in the back yelled out, "ASK THE QUESTION!" and was later interviewed and said something along the lines of, "Great, now they have more rights than we do." *Bangs head against the wall.* Ugh. I am utterly disgusted. I really don't know what this world is coming to. Sometimes it feels like two steps back instead of two steps forward. *sigh*

I am looking forward to expanding my disability terminology/vocabulary in this course. I'm not sure how much time I'll have (as I'll have to put my required assignments first) but I think it would be great to interview some of my disabled friends about a topic I love - technology - and its role in disability culture.

I am so glad that I decided to register for this course!

Friday, September 4, 2009

Just a Few Things

Okay, so I'm behind in my blogging (big surprise, I know)...but can I say just one thing? I'm not functioning very well right now. I knew that being a full time student and a full time employee would be crazy, but I'm not used to functioning with so little sleep. I feel like a walking zombie. But other than the lack of sleep...I am so, so, so, so, so happy inside. 

:) Being a full-time student just feels right. I'm where I belong.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Quickly Venting.....

Grassley: Bite me
Enzi: Bite me
Whoever’s idea it was to have these loons on this committee: Bite me
Obama: Stop pandering to the GOP. You have the majority. And if you keep pandering, I’m gonna tell you to bite me, too. Your bipartisan efforts are commendable but some of the kids will never play nice with the other kids. Move on.
GOP for trying to make Ted Kennedy look like he would have been willing to compromise on a bill that was the mission of his life: Blasphemy.

Cheney: Come to Hawaii. I’ll take you to the beach. We’ll go WATERBOARDING.

Mom: Sorry for posting this in a public forum. But if McCarthyism returns, I’m sure I’ll be collected up with all the “communist lesbians” anyway. Save yourself.