Exhibition - what exhibition?  Even I walked past it this morning without looking at it!  Then later in the day....a flurry (little flurry) of teachers had a look and said they'd also look at the online exhibition and give me feedback by Monday - it wasn't me who'd put the cakes in the staffroom this morning (but I didn't tell them that).  Another couple of parents came in to look (the hook on the end of the pole tactic still works) and said very complimentary things about the display. We chatted about my research and I gained quite a bit from having a spontaneous discussion about the exhibition and how I'd collected my data etc. It was easier to tease out some critical comments like - don't you think that the parents who responded to the questionnaire were those who are already interested in technology?  By subtly criticising my own findings I seemed to encourage more criticality from my audience.  

Last day tomorrow ... or is it?  

Mild hysteria starting to creep in.   Yippee ... caught some unsuspecting parents sneaking a glance at my exhibition .  Of course, it might have been that they were bored waiting for their children ... but no, they departed with feedback sheets in their hand.  My online exhibition has travelled to the other side of the world - Australia, no less.  One of the TAs has emailed the link to a family that emigrated there a year or so back.  I don't mind where my exhibition goes, as long as it comes back with some feedback.  I feel like putting an ad in the local press:-

WANTED

Exhibition, still quite young, GSOH, WLTM someone who cares about the meaning of life.  Please tell me how do I look?  Do you understand what I'm trying to say?  It doesn't take that special person to give me critical or complimentary feedback.  Please contact xxxx

A few staff were also caught taking feedback sheets ... they know who they are, and so do I

If yesterday's response was disappointing, then today can only be descirbed as dire .  Although reception was packed out this morning, it wasn't with parents eager to see my exhibition.  It was more a case of.... can I look in lost property for my son's trainers, can I have a holiday form, can I order a sweatshirt.....and so on.  I wanted to say, ever so politely, can you please turn round and have a look at what's on the wall behind you - it's taken me ages to do this and I thought you'd be interested.  No feedback on the online presentation either.   At lunchtime, some of the TAs came to look and there were lots of positive comments.  I was practically having to beg them to say something negative - anything that might give me a fighting chance of defending what I've done.   I mean, I could pick holes in what I've done 'til the cows come home.   I know it's only Tuesday, but I'm getting a bit impatient - all the build up to this and it feels like a real damp squib.  It's like opening night with only two tickets for the back seat sold.... 

I'm not listening to any music - too depressed!

My online presentation and static exhibition in school started today.  Stop the world... well, no actually. 

My exhibition in the main reception went virtually unnoticed save for a couple of parents who'd come to collect their children from after school clubs.  They didn't bother to fill in a feedback sheet. To be honest, I felt as though my exhibition could have been presented in Swahili - actually that might have been what was lacking   Thank goodness and bless 'em - my son & his girlfriend came in specially to see what I'd done and completed feedback sheets (it was well worth the money).

Have had a couple of emails about the online presentation.

Well, one day down and four to go.  Was all the effort worth it? 

Hopefully day two might be better

Been working on online presentation for several weeks now and have made changes in light of feedback from work colleagues.  There comes a point when you have to say "enough" and that's the point I reached earlier this week.  I was sick and tired of looking at it, so yesterday I uploaded my online presentation onto the UV website and have asked for critical feedback from my learning set.  I'm setting up a static exhibtion next week (during half term) and have informed parents about this and the online presentation via the school newsletter.  I've also put a notice on the external noticeboard by the main gate.  Exhibtion - it says - sounds a bit grand, but there you go.  If it gets me a degree, then I can live with it.  Can't wait for this part to be over...

And to complete the picture, I've posted this message on the school blog:-

Thank you to everyone who responded to the questionnaire and to the brave parents who kindly agreed to be interviewed. An exhibition (sounds a bit grand, but that's what we're supposed to call it!) of my research will be held in the main reception from Monday, 28th February to Friday, 3rd March and everyone is invited and will be made most welcome. I'd welcome your feedback (critical as well as complimentary!) on both the presentation of the exhibition and the findings. This can be done either in person or by a feedback sheet.

As the degree title suggests (BA (Hons) Learning, Technology & Research), technology has been an integral part of my learning and we have been encouraged to be creative in the way we use technology to present our work to the University board. As my research is to investiage the use of technology in improving home-school communication, I thought it would be beneficial to present my exhibition in an online presentation so that parents who aren't able to come into school can view the research at a time/place to suit themselves. The presentation can be viewed at http://firstclass.ultraversity.net/~Maureen.Slack/EXHIBITION. It's different from the static exhibition as it contains audio files (thanks to Jack and Katie (pupils) for their input here) and again, your feedback on the presentation & content is very important.

Thanks in advance!

Started to put together LA1 tonight - starting is always the hardest part and have now abandoned my serious writing for the night.  I've now got most of my data - through questionnaire, interviews and observations.  Tomorrow - planning to start my analysis.

Have been bogged down with bad news just lately - serious illnesses affecting close friends and family and worse still the sudden death of my friend's mum (at the age of 52).  The month is depressing enough as it is.

Signed up for the Race for Life today - a 5km fun run for Cancer Research UK.  We did it a couple of years ago but were late getting our entries in last year so missed out on all the fun.  So many people in my life have been affected by cancer, hoping to raise loads of money for the cause.  Started training last night - well Nic and I power-walked for an hour, talking all the way :-)

Another friend graduated last Friday and it hit me that we are so close to this.  Before that, got to get down to work.

Booked two weeks in Kos in August and planning a trip to New York in October. 

Couldn't be bothered with the ritual of making and discussing with family & friends any new year's resolutions - although there are things I'd like to change in my life this year.  All of them I have control over, so it's down to me to make things happen. 

I was inspired by the feature on Hugh Sawyer on the Heaven & Earth Show last Monday - his blog http://ditchmonkey.blogspot.com/ is definitely worth reading.

Off to Bett on Thursday and on my shoppping list are visits to Pearson (for Phoenix), GroupCall (SMS) and on the look out for hand held voting devices (whatever they are) for our ICT technician.  Also hoping to catch up with some of the Ultralab people. Look out for me - I'll be wandering around looking like a child in a sweet shop :-)  Thrilled with last result of 90% - realise that all the hard work is definitely worth it - especially all the re-drafting and re-structuring to get the final report to its conclusion.  Wish I could write about something that would make a real impact (doesn't everyone?)

First frame/board/page - have photos of parents and ask "why are these people important to me?"  Follow this with key message about the importance of good communication between school and parents and how technology can improve two-way communication.

Use notice board outside school gate to advertise exhibition - what it's about/when/where etc

Action - ask parents if OK to take photos when they come into school and start taking pics. Think about design for ad to go outside.

Finish questionnaire design & discuss with critical friend at work.

In less than five months time, my final assignment will have been handed in for marking.  Can’t believe that I am so near to graduating. OK, so it’s taken me well over 20 years longer than my school friends to arrive at this stage in my life, but at last I’ve finally done something about it!

So it’s operation graduation and the focus is to get through the next few months without stressing out. 

*Drink lots of water

*Maintain fitness level by going to the gym as least twice a week and try to get at least one swimming session in too.

*Have at least one day a week completely away from my studies (two if I’m feeling optimistic)

*Stay focused - there are always plenty of distractions, but try an ignore them.  Don’t waste time getting involved in things that don’t really matter

*Get outdoors - there’s nothing better than a walk to clear the mind.