For some reason this semester I have not blogged as much as last semester. There are several reasons for this: my mom has had some health issues, one course this semester is hard on the brain, and one course this semester is disorganized which makes me weary. Educational statistics is hard. Knowing when to use what test to determine normality and to test hypotheses is not as easy as it sounds.

The Advanced Human Learning and Motivation course seems to be disorganized in that the professor did not post for two weeks even though several of us posted questions in the appropriate discussion board. She did respond to personal e-mails from several of us who needed to know some answers before we turned in an assignment. I even gave an answer to one of my classmates who had posted a question in the discussion forum. The professor had e-mailed someone else in my small group the answer. Our first assignment was a group assignment where we had to divide tasks to each member of the group in order to answer three questions. Our group has four members so two of us worked on one question. Our professor gave us a discussion board question last week in which we had to compare the criteria of a theory given by one textbook author to the “theory” proposed by another author in another textbook. I call this being “theory weary” since we discussed the pants off whether primal leadership is a theory. Our professor responded to some of us in one day and told us she would be responding to each person within the next two weeks, but we have not heard from her since last Wednesday. Some of us think primal leadership is a theory and some of us do not think it is a theory. Personally I do not think it is because of the lack of empirical research to support the claims of the author. Also, the inventory used to determine emotional intelligence has not been validated except by the company that publishes and sells the inventory. Now when I come in contact with a theory, the criteria is in the back of my head and I am critiquing the theory.

I understand that online learning is mostly autonomous. Doctoral level classes extend beyond the idea of professors professing their knowledge upon the students so the students can recite it back. So far our professors have nudged us, encouraged us, stood back while we discussed, and stepped in when we needed guidance. The semester is not over yet, so the professor in question may be more active with us in the future, but so far she has not lived up to the kind of feedback we are accustom to receiving in our doctoral journey.

Blessings to you and yours.

For over a week, I have had no homework, writing, or discussion posts for doctoral work. I have started reading two textbooks for two of my classes, but I have also been reading a book for enjoyment. The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon by Alexander McCall Smith–one of the books in The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. If you have never read any of these, please consider it. They are set in Botswana and follow the detectives Precious Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi in the town of Gabarone. They spend most of their time thinking their way through cases, traveling to the bush in an old white van, and drinking tea. If you like books that are peaceful, insightful, and pleasant, with a touch of mystery and pluckiness, then these books are for you. You can check one out at your local library (electronic or print–whichever you prefer).

Speaking of electronic or print, as for me, I recently purchased a Kindle HD on a whim. Reading books on an electronic screen is different than a print book, to be sure. However, for books I read for pleasure that I don’t need to make notes in or re-read to take a test, this format works very well.  I love the smell of books–of which I have plenty. I still have to print out articles for research. Highlighting and underlining help me remember and study. There are ways to do that with an electronic book, but I haven’t figured out how to do that in a way that will help me. To me, reading for pleasure is a respite and a stress reliever. It will help me get ready for new doctoral courses this semester by clearing my mind and filling it with pleasant thoughts, well-developed characters, and a craving for red bush tea.

Blessings to you and yours.

Listen to Mr. Smith here: http://youtu.be/YhPNMIyidbA

I’ve made it through my fourth week of my first doctoral course. What does Virkler, my assigned reading, and Vegas have to do with each other? Well, while I have been in Las Vegas for a conference this week, I have also been doing my course work. For the most part it hasn’t been too difficult to do these things together, far from home. It has made for some later nights than I had intended.

The conference (American Library Association), which is my first attendance of said conference, has been super wonderful and helpful to bring back and practice in my work. I’ve learned that I am a twitter addict, introverts have quiet influence, unconferences can be successful, Alexander McCall Smith is just as witty and charming as his books, Las Vegas is hot in June, conference wifi is not all its cracked up to be, and one Starbucks for 10,000+ librarians is just.not.enough! Also Donny & Marie!

In any case, our textbook for this week included Henry A. Virkler’s “A Christian’s Guide to Critical Thinking.” The first three chapters deal with hermeneutics–“principles used to properly interpret someone else’s communication” (p. 19). While I won’t go into everything Virkler has to say about interpreting scripture, I will say that even though there are principles to follow when interpreting scripture, humans have managed to still be divided when it comes to certain passages or doctrines described in the Bible. I don’t think it was God’s intention to have his church divided into so many denominations. However, we are humans and are imperfect, so the fact that there are so many ways of interpreting scripture is not surprising to me. I think the Holy Spirit can discern who is a follower of Jesus and who is not. We are all his body and can agree that Jesus came to die for us so that we might live.

Blessings to you and yours.