Category Archives: Witnessing the self

Invitation to participate in a PhD research study

Standard

Startup Stock PhotosMy PhD research project is finally ready to start collecting data from teachers in the VET sector! This might not relate to you, but feel free to pass it on to someone you think might be interested …

Have you completed a Vocational Education and Training (VET) teaching diploma program any time since 2006? This might include:

  • 21697VIC Diploma of Vocational Education and Training Practice
  • TAA50104 Diploma of Training and Assessment
  • TAE50111 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training
  • TAE50211 Diploma of Training Design and Development

Did undertaking this contribute in any way to a transformed perspective of yourself as a learner, of learning more broadly, or to changes in your learning and teaching practice?

My name is Jennifer Miles and I am conducting a research project towards a PhD in Education at Monash University. I am seeking participants who are interested in contributing to a study that will explore the ways in which undertaking a VET diploma program (teaching) encouraged them to reflect on their identity as a learner and as a teacher, and to consider any consequent transformed perspectives on learning and teaching practice that emerged during or since undertaking the diploma.

The study involves two levels of participation, and you can choose one or both. You might decide just to complete the online survey, or to also participate in the in-depth interview process.

If you are interested, please follow the link and read the Explanatory Statement for full details, and at the end if this you will be asked if you wish to proceed with the survey

http://monasheducation.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_cwnbmtcoynsnoGx

If you know of someone else who might be interested, please pass the message and link on to them. Thank you for your consideration!

Managing life and all its complexities

Standard

My goodness, isn’t life busy?

Currently I find myself in a somewhat quiet space of contemplating life and living. In considering the most authentic and resonant way forward for me, I have been brought back to the now. Back to me.

As I breathe gratefully in the space that this spiritual season has provided, I’m thinking deeply about how easily we can get caught up in our perceived priorities, in powering towards whatever goal we have set ourselves … and how easily we can lose sight of, and connection to, our truth.

Over the holiday weekend, I’ve been sifting through some of the treasures that come through to me on Twitter, reflecting on the messages they bring.  And what they bring me is food for my soul … so I thought I’d share a few of them with you:

Soul Seeds have been an amazing discovery for me, insightfully identifying and responding to the complexities of the human condition.

“You are perfect as you are, and you could use a little work.”

http://www.soulseeds.com/grapevine/2011/08/know-yourself-self-awareness-and-change/

“Never regret. If it’s good, it’s wonderful. If it’s bad, it’s experience.”

In ‘Meditation, then and now’ http://youtu.be/xRMf4z8Cs8s, a delightful little snippet has reminded me of how simply I can source the answers to the questions and challenges that plague me. It’s as simple as going within.

Joseph Campbell (through UniverslSpirituality ‏ @unvrslsprtlty) inspires me to never be afraid of facing my fears: “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” Again, as simple as holding onto love, and going within.

And finally, two thoughts that link to my passions around storytelling and perspective transformation:

I’ve remembered that the time is always right to stop whatever terribly important thing we are doing, to go within, and to reconnect to our higher wisdom. It is only through going within that we can recalibrate our guidance and find our ‘True North’ to move forward most authentically. What a simple truth.

So for now I will sit quietly and reflect on words brought to me by Sherry Gillam ‏ @grapechick :

 “How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then to rest afterward.” ~Spanish Proverb