by Lara Sanderson
I wanted to start this blog post with a huge thanks to Dr. Katherine Runswick-Cole and Dr. Michael Gaffney for their guest blog posts! I also want to thank all the previous contributors, because they are the ones that truly make this blog and of course you the reader - for without you well - thank you to one and all!
So, a few blog posts ago Kim and I had started our journey through "How to survive your PhD" MOOC fom ANU - developed by Dr. Inger Mewburn and co. This week we are well over halfway through what has been an awesome way to reflect on the PhD journey I have been on.
In the MOOC we have covered the socio-historic constructions of both the University as an insitution and the PhD as a degree. Navigating emotions like confidence (or lack of with imposter syndrome), frustration, fear and loneliness. Our latest module Curiosity asks us how to reflect on the things/people that inspired to do our topic and really explore (and remind) how our curiosity has pushed us to discover, uncover and create.
Each of the modules, including the confronting ones of fear and loneliness have allowed for frank and open discussion. The weekly tasks encourage creativity and the use of multi-media - like this stop motion animation that Kim and I (with the help of John, Kim's hubby) made about our feelings of imposter syndrome for the confidence module.
Our discussions and asides often spill out on to twitter. So does the creative multi-media, like this GIF I whipped up for the curiosity module.For such a large MOOC (over 1000 registered) there is a sense of community and camaraderie that you would expect to find in much smaller learning situations! Lots of resources and people willing to share resources from writing hints to healthy living!
So, what I have learnt so far is that I live in a perpetual state of imposter syndrome but thats ok because I work with it (most of the time). I am not alone in fearing presentations or the gym! Curiosity is what keeps me moving forward and what ultimately feeds my creativity. So as I turn into a Thesis Zombie - I know that I can draw on not only my local 4th floor community but also my new MOOC community in those momments of undead terror!
___________________________________________
GIF Credits
Best Cats in Boxes of 2014 Compliation
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies 2015 Movie Trailer
GIFS made via makeagif.com by Lara Sanderson 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment