Tuesday 30 July 2013

So close!

The count down is on until I submit my final copy to two reviewers. I now have only one and a bit chapters to go until the editing/proof reading process is finished. My supervisor will do a last check on Monday and then it's off to the print and copy centre to get my thesis printed and bound. 

The days are flying now I have returned to part time teaching at local schools and started tutoring at Uni as well. I have found the final stages of my Masters degree as well as working with pre-service teachers has re-ignited my enthusiasm for the classroom me and reminded me of my love of learning and helping others increase their knowledge base.

6 days to go...

Saturday 27 July 2013

The editing process is long!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have a few changes to make on my thesis which were recommended by my supervisor. They're taking a little longer than I thought as I am back teaching in primary schools and also tutoring at University. The editing process I knew would be long but the fiddly last minute changes along with what life brings has drawn it out.

It may seem like I am complaining and I guess in a way it is a vent but that's only because I want to get started on writing my article and talking about my PhD topic! I must say though the editing process has made me realise I do know my topic well and these finishing touches in my thesis has increased my motivation and enthusiasm about my topic: TPACK.

A short post and there may be more as I document my PhD journey but they all mark important steps toward the bigger goal!

Sunday 14 July 2013

In the meantime...

While my complete thesis draft is with my supervisor and I wait to hear back as to what changes I need to make, I am making the most of this week by doing more reading and writing.

My supervisor has just returned from America where he was working at another University. While he was there he bought a book on scholarly writing. He lent this book to me this week to help me write my first article on my research.

The book is 'Writing for Scholarly Publication' by Anne Sigismund Huff. I found it incredible useful and wrote my own summary on what I needed to when I begin writing my article this month. Just on flipping through it, I was interested to see an annotated bibliography at the end of the book. Not only helpful to see what other books are out there on scholarly writing but also how Anne wrote an annotated bibliography.

'Writing for Scholarly Publication' is from Anne's perspective but I found that her work can be given extra credibility as she has included another perspective on article writing from a fellow academic.

This book covers what one needs to write a scholarly article from title and abstract to a complete draft. It guides you towards producing your best work for submission to a journal with exercises to help you achieve this.

The main message is to keep on writing. Identify when you do your best writing and write then. Is it in the early hours of the day when the sun is coming out and only the birds are waking or is it in the corner of your study late at night or is it in a busy café with the sound of the coffee machine and chatter in the background? Whatever helps you overcome any writer's block and allows your thoughts to flow free, do it and write!

Tuesday 9 July 2013

Using a Mind Map to Explore a Potential Research Topic

It is still early days but I've been working on a potential PhD research topic. To do this, I approached it the same way I did my Masters by Research - using a mind map. There some great applications to to do this and I chose a program called Prezi that I downloaded onto my iPad.
See below my prezi that I have been working on;

I still have approximately six months to define and refine my research topic. But I find the best place to start is to just get all your ideas out of your head and into a visual space.

Jillian

Sunday 7 July 2013

The very beginning

This blog has been started to document my journey from Masters Research Student to Doctoral Student and beyond.

Today marks the day, I handed in my research project for perusal by my supervisor to seek permission to submit (no doubt I'll have to make some changes!) . It is now that I believe my PhD journey begins. I need to think about my next research topic, find two supervisors and write a research proposal to be accepted for candidature into my current University.

I also hope to obtain a scholarship, however before I look any more into that,  the research proposal is more important to complete.

So, I hope you enjoy reading about my journey, the highs and lows, and if you are also a PhD candidate can share in the adventures that lay ahead.



Jillian