Last Meeting at 2014

I had my last meeting with Allyson & Elena. We were supposed to work on the second chapter structure.

Since I was worried about Ethics approval, I asked if they can help. Elena submitted, and wrote an email and explain that Bill is not around. Allyson called them. They could do this before, but anyway I haven't got any news. 

I was so in rage and tears, asked what I have done wrong that Bill doesn't answer my emails. Allyson said that don't take it personal. He is busy and so and so...

I will do it in a best way I can. I don't care how you treat me. 

The whole system is dodgy!!

Friday Dec, 5th: I had sent my variation for Ethics. Then I was waiting for any responds.
Monday Dec, 8th: Saw Elena, told her that I submitted Ethics and she knew that Bill is not around, but she did not asked me how did I submit.
Tuesday Dec 9th: I had a meeting with Allyson & Elena. Allyson also did not ask me how did I submit. She said that call Ruth and ask her to speed up. Called Ruth, her phone said she is in conference and she back on Monday 8th (that was so funny).
Wednesday Dec 10th: Called her again and while heard the same message I sent her an email.
Thursday Dec 11th: She asked for protocol. Sent the protocol number. Then she replied you haven't submitted at all. That was really awful. I explained everything to her and to all the supervisors. Asked them to help me submitting this piece of ...
Friday Dec 12th: waiting...  Interestingly, Bill is cced in all the conversation and he is not responding at all.
Haven't heard from them!!!!!!!!!!!!


That is ok. Life is not about people who do not care about others. I should try my best to not to follow these people in my future...

He is on leave till January!!

That is very annoying! I had emailed 3 of them asking about group meeting. Bill didn't reply that time and now he is on leave till January.

Am I angry? No, of course Im not.

After Break!

Ok, Im here at the office after about 10 days break.  Gold Coast trip was great. Now its time to back to work. Lots of things to do and I really do not know where can I start...

Couldn't sleep last night because I was thinking I do not like return to work. But I start this path and Im not give it up. I try my best to finish it. Its not that much bad.

Supervisor's Responses!

I have sent my questionnaire to 3 of them and in another email to Bill asking about teaching academics.

Bill: Haven't got from him.
Elena: same.
Allyson: She have read the questionnaire. She picked up few about the parts that we had already finalised. Thats fine. She also put a comment about PIS, which doesn't seem right.

Such a boring procedure!!

It is boring, but Im going to make it cool. Its my PhD, my time and my efforts! Im gone a make it.

Not bad!

Elena was not around and Allyson and I have our meeting together. It went for 2 hours. Its very good talking to her. I feel that Im improved a lot, in reasoning and discussion. I argue and don't accept whatever she says. I like her... She is very respectful. She gave me a paper that I can use it in my questionnaire: Factor Structure of the Research Outcome Expectations Scale 
The only issue that make me concern is that Im loosing my time. Im learning something that I was supposed to learn last year... No way!

Conference Acceptance!

I have got the acceptance for TALE in New Zealand. Some good points and some points that I need to consider. I have no intention to participate in this conference now, but I did submit to challenge myself.
Although, they accepted the paper, but they also addressed some issues. I will work on that and improve my work. It is good to send a paper and get the acceptance without supporting supervisors. I'm sure they don't care. Actually I know that nobody cares...

Review 1
========

Contribution of the submission
------------------------------
This paper addresses the problem of curriculum change in the field of computer
science enginering. The author believes that the computer industry keeps
changing and there is need to ensure that graduate produced can withstand the
constantly changing nature of this discipline. He idenfied the need to study
how the rapid changes to technology affects the curriculium and this problem
can be resolved


Evaluation of the contribution
------------------------------
Quality of Content     (10%): 6
Significance           (10%): 6
Originality            (10%): 6
Thematic Relevance     (10%): 8
Presentation           (10%): 6
Overall Recommendation (50%): 6
Total points (out of 10)    : 6.2


Comments for the authors
------------------------
From the abstract, it is assumed that this study is ongoing and is yet to be
completed.

Introduction
The author was able to address the subject of the research in the
introduction. However, the problem has not been properly defined. The author
has not been able to show a gap in knowledge that he intends to fill. the
author has not shown what has been done, what is left to be done that he
intend s to do


Review of Literature
This aspect is missing

Methodology
The author intends using a mixed method. However, the author did not state how
he intend using the mixed method, the rationale behinde it. The sample of the
study were not stated. The sampling technique was not stated. the author plans
the research in three phases

Phase 1 Characteristics of Curriculum
Here the author intends using Bloom's taxonomy for analyzing computer
Engineering curriculum for ten universities from Australia and New Zealand,
based on Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2013-2014. Also
curriculum documents in Computer Engineering from these institutions will be
loaded and entered into N.vivo and coded to determine characteristics.
However,
The author did not list the names of the universities
How coding will be done, rationale behinde it? What are the theme
The levels mentioned are remebering, understanding, applying, analyzing,
evaluating and creating. The graph only has apply, analyze, evaluate and
create. What happened to remebering and understanding?
I feel the graph is not very clear. Probably a stacked bar chart would have
been better


Phase 2 Factors Impacting Curriculum development
How do you intend selecting the sample?
How will you test the reliability of your research instrument?
What method aare you going to use for data analysis?
What is the rationale why you decided to ue online questionnaire
The figure presented? How did you get it get? What data did you use? If not
then state the source

Phase 3 The Role of Academics
How are you going to select the academics to be interviwed
How are you going to conduct the interview
How do you intend to achieve data saturation
How are you going to nanlyze the data collected


The paper has some language and spelling errors

Thanks




-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-




Review 2
========

Contribution of the submission
------------------------------
This paper indicates how curricula are designed and shaped in the computing
discipline and policy makers in Australia and New Zealand. It is included 3
steps in order to meet the aims of paper and each phase has some results and
benefits that has been expressed in the study.


Evaluation of the contribution
------------------------------
Quality of Content     (10%): 6
Significance           (10%): 6
Originality            (10%): 4
Thematic Relevance     (10%): 8
Presentation           (10%): 8
Overall Recommendation (50%): 8
Total points (out of 10)    : 7.2


Comments for the authors
------------------------
This paper indicates how curricula are designed and shaped in the computing
discipline and policy makers in Australia and New Zealand. It is included 3
steps in order to meet the aims of paper and each phase has some results and
benefits that has been expressed in the study.

The style of writing academic papers has been used properly.








-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-




Review 3
========

Contribution of the submission
------------------------------
The paper devoted to study in how curricula in computer engineering discipline
are designed in NZ and Australia. The study was organized in 3 phases on the
database of 10 universities:
1st stage: objectives, content, structure of curriculum (literature analysis);
2nd: what factors influence on the curriculum development (online survey);
3rd stage: role of change agents in curriculum design (interview of  academia)


Evaluation of the contribution
------------------------------
Quality of Content     (10%): 8
Significance           (10%): 8
Originality            (10%): 6
Thematic Relevance     (10%): 10
Presentation           (10%): 8
Overall Recommendation (50%): 8
Total points (out of 10)    : 8


Comments for the authors
------------------------
A paragraph with clear description of the results of the study will be highly
appreciated.





-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-




Review 4
========

Contribution of the submission
------------------------------
The submission attempts to propose a study (with some preliminary results
documented) around curriculum change in computing disciplines.


Evaluation of the contribution
------------------------------
Quality of Content     (10%): 4
Significance           (10%): 6
Originality            (10%): 6
Thematic Relevance     (10%): 6
Presentation           (10%): 4
Overall Recommendation (50%): 4
Total points (out of 10)    : 4.6


Comments for the authors
------------------------
This is a short work-in-progress paper that outlines a high-level description
of a study into curriculum design.

The first part of the paper discusses an initial study of ten programmes,
where the paper outlines are analysed for common learning domains. While this
is a useful idea, the presentation of the results it's particularly helpful.

It's not at all clear how the percentages were arrived at. For example, if a
course had several learning objectives, but some were more core than others
(and subsequently had a greater weighting of assessment), is this taken into
consideration in this aggregation?

Also, it's not particularly clear how this relates to the core concept of the
paper, which is around curriculum change in the computing discipline. Is this
a benchmarking for future comparisons, or is there an insight into how current
cognitive dimensions are more "reusable" in the context of changing curricula?

The second phase seems to solely target academics, but there is no discussion
on the other set of stakeholders: students.

The conclusion attempts to relate this back to the substantial concerns of
organisations such as professional engineering bodies. However, if these
programmes are professionally accredited, then how does this analysis add to
the existing accreditation process that must go on?

Lastly, the paper has numerous spelling and grammatical mistakes that could be
worked on.

Overall, the paper is a noble attempt at tackling a real problem, however I
feel more could be said to justify the design of the survey, the targets of
the survey, and how the results could be applied.




-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Good Source HTML Code

Here is a good source of HTML code:

http://www.w3schools.com/aspnet/aspnet_pages.asp

Ethics Approval!

Finally I got my Ethics approval! Am I happy?

Do they really care?

I haven't heard from Bill regarding borrowing his computer. Even nothing regarding Chanel's offer to buy a new comp from the faculty money!! Do they really care?

Meeting! Useful or just pass me to nowhere!

Allyson told that she join us in Elena's room.

Elena told that the Ethics application is approved, but I did not get it!!!

Elena had read my writing, but Allyson did not. She kept saying that she has lost everything on her computer. That is a loose excuse for a professor in Education I guess!! 

Anyway, the NFC that I spent a lot of time seems not very useful, at least directly. The last part of questionnaire that Allyson were supposed to help still in question mark. 

It is supposed that I list a series of items and then send to them. Next week Allyson is in promotion panel and Elena is at the conference. So, next meeting will be 2 weeks later!!!

Crashed Computer!!!

I came to the Uni on Sunday and I worked on NFC. Its a very psychological topic. It was suggested by those psychologists (Allyson's friends) who we had meeting together few months ago. I read and read and I got a background of what it is talk about.

On Monday (13. Oct) I sent the summary of my work to all my supervisors, asking Elena and Allyson to have a look and told them I will discuss on Tuesday on our regular meeting. 

After I sent the email, I restarted my system and it did not come up any more. That is very unfortunate!!! 

I called IT, they asked if I do have any data and I was honest and said no. So, they replied because you do not have any data and the system is out of warranty, we cannot do anything!!!! 

That is so annoying! 

Conceptual Framework!

Good resource about Conceptual Framework:

From Monash:  http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/hdr/design/2.2.1.html

How to Make a Conceptual Framework : https://college-college-life.knoji.com/how-to-make-a-conceptual-framework/

A lot to do!

Allyson, Elena and I had a meeting yesterday. It was about the last part of the questionnaire which Allyson had suggested to add and also had suggested thats he can help, but not much help actually.

Again confused: Do I have to work on preparedness, expertise, and leadership as she suggested before, or what? Literature talks alot about change and curriculum. She likes Habermas and I can see the existence of Habermas view in my work, but also there other approaches that can be followed.

Allyson talked about Need for Cognition as well as Epistemological belief. I think I need to read about these. 

What can I do today?

What can I do today?

Design the Look
Questions at the end section

Dont know where to start!

I couldn't come to the Uni yesterday because of my toothache. Now I feel so lost and I don't know where can I start!!

First its better to take the Ethics application and asked Bill to submit it. And also talk to him about the items in the survey...

Keep calm Homa. Keep calm. Deep breath.
1) Take the application
2) Talk to Bill
3) Think about last part of questionnaire specially the last section.
4)

HTML on Survey Monkey!

For Progress bar: 

• There is not a way to set a specific page(s) where you want the progress bar to start and/or end.

In order to use HTML, I have to change it to 'Classic Design' from 'My Account'. 

Survey Monkey!

I bought the account from Survey Monkey and I started to design my own. It seems very easy and nice, however I have some issues regarding the format and template.
Hoooraaayyy

Ethics System is down!

On Wednesday, Sep 10th, I was trying to check my Ethics application and surprisingly, it wasn't there!!! Yes, it wasn't there. That is ridiculous!! I called the Ethics guy and he surprised too. He asked me if I can have a copy of my application and I said yes. You made a copy for me yesterday. He said ok, I copy and past the information on it... That is not good...

Spell Check doesn't work in Microsoft Word!

Review Tab -> language (Set proofing language) - Uncheck the item Do not check

Another meeting!

I was waiting outside while Allyson was talking to someone. Elena came and when I told her that I have not much to share she said I may go.

I talked to Allyson about my coding. Asking her about my problem that the documents are not well-explained. The way she talks is very nice. I think I shouldn't restrict myself in a frame, but I must see what is there and what is not there that supposed to be there.

When I asked her shortly my questions, she asked more. It is surprising that these 2 supervisors are so much different. Allyson is welcoming and Elena is always not interested...

Later on I met Bill and I submitted my Ethics Application for the Deceleration of Head of School. It is not good that I do not see him frequently. I do not know why Im reluctant to see him. It seems that he is a logical guy...

That was a mistake!

Offering her to have lunch together was a big mistake. Although she helped me and she suggested me about the poster, but during the meeting I was very uncomfortable.
She had put her lunch and she told me that she had already brought her lunch.
I don't want to talk about it. I don't know how does she think?

Ethics! Again and again!

I walked to see Allyson, but the door was locked. I went to Elena's office. She said Dr. Kaily had left a lot of comment on my application. Allyson joint us later and we went through the comments. Some of them were right, but some were very biased...

Anyway, I am supposed to revise it and ask Bill to submit it.

(later on when I checked it I realised that the application I submitted, it wasn't the one that I wanted. This Ethics team who make a print for me made a mistake)!!!

When Allyson left, I talked to elena about the poster competition. She was very encouraging and supportive. So, we arranged another meeting on Friday 5th of Sep. I offered that I will cook the lunch and we can have lunch together while we are working on the poster abstract...

Self Training NVivo!

I started to refresh my mind about NVivo. I had a good achievement I guess.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4B4bi7R5SI&list=PL68DA95F8E2B15DD4&index=3

Nodes & Sources can be classified for assigning demographic data such as age and gender for people. One classification can have different attributes. For people age and gender are attributes of that group. Then each attribute can have a value. Like age that has its own value for each individual.

In my coding, for my resources I considered 'course' as a classification, and assigning two attributes course type and year. Year can get the value of 1, 2, 3 and 4. 

More info:

http://help-nv10.qsrinternational.com/desktop/procedures/work_with_attribute_values.htm

Structure for lit review

Developments in Curriculum and Curriculum Development

The Notion of Curriculum

Engineering Education and Curriculum Development

Computer Engineering

Taxonomy and Educational Objectives

What are the key characteristics of computing curricula?

Factors Shaping Curriculum

What factors shape the curriculum?

Academics as an Agent of Change

          Role of Academics

Whats the plan?

What I have to do?

Writing:
Finish chapter 2
Start chapter 3

Coding:
Please start

Survey Monkey

Sampling

Good feeling!

There was a regular meeting on Tuesday 19th, Aug. When I got there, Allyson was another student as usual. When they left, the student seemed very sad!

Anyway, I explained to Allyson that I was working on Habermas and I had a Habermas week last week. I told her that Im very worried about my Ethics application. SHe said we already fixed everything, didn't we? Oh, GOD! I told her yes. Although, I handed her my Ethics application and I emailed her that I expect to have the comment before our meeting. She did not answer and she had lost my ethics paper. That is very normal I think.

Anyway, we spent some time and she made a minor change. Then she said everything is ready. And she asked me to submit the full ethics application to Elena. Then she will give it to Kaly.

By the way, Elena came after 20 mins and said she is busy with other things. And I was supposed to meet her in her room after I finished with Allyson.

I met her and I explained to her. She asked me about coding and I told her that I was working on Habemras. She said don't mix it. Stick to Bloom and keep going. She is right I think. She said you are making it difficult for yourself. She said both of us say that you are doing great. That filled me with loads of energy...

They drived me crazy!

They made me crazy! Every time working on some stupid changes!!! Whats the point? That is ridicules!!! I spent whole my time working on these documents, still not finished!

Am I tired??

I did not go for run today and yesterday. I felt tired, but then I thought that might be the reason that I feel Im not well.

Im not tired. Im full of energy and motivation to finish this course. This lovely PhD. I did a lot for this study. I sacrificed my life. So, I keep going...

Rehash!!

I had sent an email to Allyson and Elena on Friday (8th, Aug), asking for review the my Ethics application. At the meeting on Tuesday 12th, Elena said she preferred that Allyson looks after it. Allyson had checked everything, but not Ethics!!! She was more worried about how Ethics look like!!!! She had sent some changes (change again and again) to  a wrong email address.  No progress after yesterday meeting! It was interesting that Allyson was trying to revise the cover letter she had changed herself! It is very frustrating, very frustrating! i had this feeling that Allyson wants to just waste the time...

Telephone Interviewing!

Telephone Interviewing

       The usual minimum requirement is to provide the target population with a written Information Statement which forewarns them of any telephone contact. Include the normal content for an Information Statement and address the following:

·         How names, addresses and telephone numbers of the target population were obtained.

·         The desired interviewee and why that person.

·         Details of the nature of the questions to be asked.

·         When the interview will take place and its expected duration.

·         How recipients (the target population) may decline the invitation or prevent telephone contact, eg simply advise the caller that they are not interested, or be given a contact number to call to register a do-not-call instruction. 

Few about Habermas!

"Transformative learning is based on Habermas's theory of communicative action: the concepts of instrumental, communicative, and emancipatory knowledge. The instrumental domain is where learners form a hypothesis about their perceptions. The communicative domain mainly focuses on learners' interaction to make meaning through understanding others. The emancipatory domain is the place where learners can free themselves from any restrictions and actively question their assumptions. "

Meeting! Short! Useless! Evaded!

Allyson did put much efforts for the last meeting (29.July), but fir this one, she said she has a meeting on 2pm.
Had a quick look at my work and gave some comments. I felt that she wants to just put off. Elena even did not turn up.

Again, Allyson told that she needs to put the Ethics for peer review! How many times she has said this?!!

I myself was sick and I couldn't do much works. But I definitely don't let go this way! Im angry, but Ill make it very soon!

I had a horrible week, but I make my Monday!

Working on Ethics
Sending the original resources to Allyson
Library book
Visit Bill
Sit up

Structure!

While Im confused for the structure of my literature review, the structure of other resource might help me. For instance, book of Heywood is a perfect source.

If I review the content, it gives me a clue to write my own structure.

Coding!

I have imported all the required pages to NVivo for Melbourne Uni. Next step is to do the actual coding which I postpone it for later.

Can I finish all my works?

Majid is not feeling well and so I came late to the office.
I have a lot to do:

Coding
Change agents

Call for Visa
Money order

Turbocharge Your Writing!

Word Audit
I can see how it fits together and where I need to concentrate
Be specific, make it small
Pick something and commit to it
I could write what I know so far, then it might make more sense. R=This would help me clarify where the gaps are and what I should be reading.
Famous author write even if they don't feel in the mood.
Action -> motivation -> Action
You get better at what you practice. By writing and thinking about your ideas you develop them and create more ideas.
I need to write to help me think: Think, Write, Think, Write...
Two Golden Hours:

• Snack write: Short regular writing sessions, probably somewhere between 45 minutes and 2 hours
• Write first thing: Write before start on other activities. I can learn to resist checking email. Luckily Im a morning person.
• Set specific times to write: Having a writing schedule. 
• Quick starting: Being able to get down to productive writing quickly: A dedicated writing space. Parking on the hill (notes to self, the next thing, have things ready to go). Small jobs. 
• Get a room: Write where can get good condition.
• Only write: No editing (shouldn't spend time trying to find the perfect way  to express what I want to say, or worrying about the order. Try to get down the argument and big ideas. Clarify the thinking by writing). No referencing. Not following good ideas. Not reading. 

Exposure proves to the brain that writing won't really kill you. If you nail your feet to the floor  and don't get up - just write- you will find your output increasing substantially. 

A common barrier to writing is the voices in my head saying what I am writing is not good enough! 

The imposter syndrome is the belief that I am one mistake away form being exposed as a complete and utter fraud. 

If Im smart enough to fool them for this long, then Im probably smart enough to be here. 

Write crap! Not too much pressure on the  first draft. The quickest way to get good quality writing is to write, even if its crap.
Draft = Work in Progress

Introduction: -> Everyone else thinks
Literature Review -> What I Read
Methodology -> What I Did
Results -> What I Found
Discussion -> What I Reckon

Get feedback -> It can hurt, but it works.
Show early and often. Be specific and ask for what I want. Not misinterpret the feedback. Ask them what they meant. 

Just because Ive had one Tim Tam, I don't have to eat the whole packet : I can get get up, get in position ans write for a small block of time. 

To start again, it's best to set myself a small and manageable goal. Don't think: Im so far behind , Id better write all day to make up for it.


I did finish this book today Friday, 25th July 2014. I started when I was really upset about my writing. However, after this reading this book, I realised that writing is about creativity. its process of read, think and write. And I missed the think step!!! All I did was not a writing. Now I want to write. I know IM so far behind, but no way. I have to start and smash it. Best of luck for me! :)

Hope!

Haven't written here for ages I guess...

Just a quick view of has happened:

In our regular meeting, Allyson was busy, so it was only me and Elena. We talked about coding and the way that I can report. Its for a  long time that Im waiting for my Ethics application. Hopefully next week its done...

I was working on my writing recently. It goes very slow and Im not happy. I usually start very early, around 7, 7:30am, but I can go until 12 or 1pm. Then my mind doesn't cooperate any more. Im not happy about the way I write. I saw someone was talking about 'turbocharge your writing". I think I want to spend all my day today to read this book and do what ever it says. It might help...There is always hope...

Meeting with no result!

15.July.2014 Meeting with Allyson @ 11:30AM

She asked me to have a chat with 2 psychologists at the library. It was good, but me as a student who work in Engineering and Education Im confused enough in my field to not care about psychology!!! Oh...
Anyway, she did not see the Ethics application. Why?? Don't know!! I asked her again!

16.July Meeting with Elena @ 1:00 PM
I asked her to have a look at my coding, and she did. But I had a feeling that she doesn't care at all what Im talking about and what Im concerned about. Exactly like these 3 years that she just said yes, ok. And wasted my time.
I think I shouldn't let her to repeat this again and again. I need to ask her to do her job.

I feel that we have done progress report and these guys dont care any more...Its just my feeling. I cant change my mind...