Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Disappointing! :(

Receiving a disappointing comments from Allyson! How life is hard! Not life, but PhD! 

I think i know that I need to do more, more research, more reading, more writing, more practice. The only issue bothers me is the time that I have wasted since I started. If only I could have these instructions on the first year of my study, then ... , but 'if' never happens...

I am a strong person that Im here to study and fight for all the hardships. I need to do more time managing

Need to flesh out a lot of the research further.
May I also draw attention to quite a lot of ‘missing out’ on using the definite article (namely ‘the’). Also tense. Also misuse of ‘ing’ on end of words.

Youu also have to make a decision based on common usage on curricular or curriculum.

I note that there is quite a lot of awkward phrasing and usage. I draw attention to this for when you attack the rewrite, but first consider how the lit review and use of lit to support methodology may be handled over twoi chapters.

That is, what goes where? We discussed this a little last meeting. Any specific detail to support scale development goes in method.

It occurs to me that in the questionnaire a scale to determine a desire to be active in change would be very useful. Have you come across one that can be used?



FOR A LIT REVIEW (comments)
Factors impacting curriculum change
Factors linked to …
The complex nature of curriculum reform .
OK seeing this above suggests to me some options for structuring the lit review
This above is a sub heading in itself including a definition of curriculum in the higher education context.

  • ·         Setting the scene first at HE level and then in engineering


Identify the importance attributed to studying curriculum and then pose your overarching questions about further need to study how curriculum change comes about

  • ·         Reporting on the scope of research in both those areas the way curriculum is approached in the literatutre the key methods, and how comprehensively change has been studied in the field

  • ·         Focus in on whatever there is at all on Computer Engineering enrolments, curriculum, etc to demonstrate the ‘gap’in knowledge on several dimensionsEg lack of focus on curriculum in specific area, need to know more about those involved in change and the barriers they face etc

  • ·         Go back to the findings of key studies and give them more  depth in order to pinpoint the Key factors contributing to curriculum change and what is known about change agents


  • ·         Then toward the end re-assemble the theoretical positions pertinent to progressing the field. Put them in the form of  a conceptual framework that helps you to SHOW ‘the complex nature of curriculum reform’


and then articulate your research sub- questions connected to that framework

Which then leads in methods chapter to use of specific elements of the literature to support a more precise reference to key factors as part of  development of sub-groups of items in the protocols/instruments

BLUE below suggests some errors in grammar, usage or style

I see the first section as def in the lit review and the latter section in more fully describing your scales


In the lit review do NOT assume the reader is familiar with the field enough to guess the substance of the research you are reporting so give enough detail eg below re Hicks who seems like a really important author for you

Its Tuesday! Meeting day!

Its 9:03 am and I haven't started yet. These days Im a bit confusing. Don't know what to do. Today I do have a meeting with all the three supervisors.

I have to:
Decide about sampling
Make the structure
Plan
progress report.


Monday, June 23, 2014

A great Mnday!

Although I did not have a rest during the weekend,but I feel Im ok. Saturday, I was working (house inspections) till afternoon, had a nap and then paperworks till midnight.
I watched a movie and then Iran-Argentina football world cup tournament. Sadly Iran did not win! I did some cooking for the week. I was supposed to go to the Uni and work, but I couldn't as I had to take Youka for swimming. I did my shopping while Majid and Youka went to cinema. I did my rest of paperwork at Carol's place.

This morning was perfect. Helped Youka to make French toast. She lighted a candle and also turned the music on. It was sort of romantic.

Now at the Uni, starting a great week and day!


Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Keep going my turtle PhD!

Another meeting!

I had sent my piece of writing to every one to show them that Im not wasting my time.

Elena, had looked at my writing and gave some comments, although I did not expect her to do so.
Allyson, did not look at the Ethics application although I expected her to do so.


  • The factors I explained must go to Methodology chapter.
  • Allyson expects more critical discussion for literature.
  • My sample selection and justification 
  • My timeline for next week


Unfortunately I thought Im recording the conversation, but apparently I lost my recording! Thats a shame!


Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Meeting with Allyson!

I have just listened to our last meeting with Allyson on 10.June.2014. Apart form some changes in the instrument I need to remember for personal information of my instrument I am looking for:


  • leadership
  • Innovation
  • Expertise
  • Preparation


Monday, June 16, 2014

If you need a miracle, be a miracle!

It is Monday and I feel still tired. Moreover, I had a plan to finish my writing which I couldn't make it. However, it is ok. I try my best. No one knows how is my life, who is my feeling and how I am spending my time.

For today:
I will finish the Pedagogy part
Revise the Global issues
Check if there is something else I need to work
Write a short paragraph for grouping factors
That is all...

I will make it a great and productive Monday! Go Homa, go Homa. Do not let any thing and any body stop you! If you need a miracle, be a miracle!


Thursday, June 12, 2014

Not a meeting, just a short visit!

I was supposed to see Bill, asking few questions. I was so stressed to see him, don't know why. Is it because Michael had told me that he cannot be your supervisor!! Not sure!

I thought I can go and see him in the afternoon, but I couldn't work as I was keep thinking about visiting him. So, I realised its better to see him first, and then continue my writing.

... It was not bad at all. I told him that Im not happy to go for a poster event (a compulsory invitation by faculty). He said it is ok.

I also sent Allyson's message that if we can proceed the peer review through Education and he said yes.

And asking for group meeting which he said he can make it on June, 24th.

In overall, it was ok...


Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Meeting! Meeting!

Honestly, I didn't like to go to the meeting yesterday (10.June.14). I don't know why!
Elena emailed that she is sick and she cant make it. It was only me and Allyson. Im sick of this repetitive process. Again looking at the questionnaire!!!! Why do we have to do that???
Im thinking am I strong enough to stay and fight for this stupid PhD? Don't know. My life is sort of miserable! Majid is so demanding and I always feel guilty for Youka. Is it really worth?
The only thing I can think about is a DEEP BREATH and keep going...

Friday, June 6, 2014

Im doing good!

These days I work and I feel Im doing good, not well, but good. I think the contribution of Allyson in the supervisor panel is great. She directs the meeting. Although it goes very slow, but its ok. Im not in rush. I try my best and sometimes some things are out our control.

Yesterday, I sort of finished all the required documents I needed for Ethics and sent to all. I hope I can get it back very soon.


Thursday, June 5, 2014

Supervisor Meeting! Not bad!

Only Allyson and I have been at the regular meeting (3. June.14). It is going well!! The only issue that bothers me is that we are so late. I expected to have this process while ago, not now after 3 years. However, its ok. Sometimes some things are out of our control! So, I let it go...

I do have a great family. I do have a job that I very like it. And Im doing a research which Im paid for. So, life is not that much bad... im feeling blessed....