BLOG REFLECTION FOR APRIL 2ND 2008

A key point that was raised by Joelle, was that my writing in this literature review has been in a linear style. I think this is really important as it reflects my own shortcomings about a) my preference for presenting more polished writing and b) my penchant for undertaking drafts using old fashioned pen and paper… not an ideal approach for undertaking an online literature review I hear you murmur! However, despite these limitations, I have attempted to be reflexive about them and to try and present my work in its most foetal stages. Next week or at the latest by the week after, I intend to finish my first draft and will then undertake the process of re-writing, which I hope will illuminate the extent to which my thinking has evolved throughout this process, partly due to the reading I have undertaken and largely due to all of your comments. You should certainly start to see your ideas incorporated in the rewriting process. As for writing in linear fashion, it’s something I naturally have tended to do.

BLOG REFLECTION FOR FRIDAY 7TH MARCH 2008

This week I have attempted to consider the role of coursework in this literature review, arguing that non-traditional students, with their responsibilities outside of university, can struggle with the levels of reading that universities tend to require, largely because of an unacknowledged paradigm shift towards coursework. It seems to me that if non-traditional students as well as traditional students can utilise practical study skills, then it can help them critically engage with their work more quickly.

I have often found that the hard part about studying is getting started and that if I can just have a method, it will allow me to get going. I may well change what I do – which is also an important point – but I still need a starting point. Being a flexible learner, and have a variety of study skill resources as part of your academic tool kit is perhaps the most practical and useful advice we, as tutors or fellow students, can give.

Comments?

BLOG REFLECTION FOR THURSDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2008

This week I have attempted to think about the ways in which non-traditional students are positioned by their text books. Drawing on Foucault’s notion of discourse, I’ve attempted to begin unpacking the power relationships between the student and the text, highlighting how non traditional students tend to be subordinate to the text.

You will notice that in this text I have a reference I need to check up on. A good tip when you are in the flow of your writing is to make notes like this and to check up on references afterwards so you don’t lose your focus. It’s a minor point, but worth sharing!

In reply to a request from Sandra for a brief biography I’ve provided a very small snapshot of whom I am and why I’m writing. I hope this allows you to contextualise my work!

BLOG REFLECTION FOR FRIDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 2008

This week I’ve attempted to start the rewriting process and have taken the theoretical concepts as my starting point for this. I wanted to evolve the writing on the basis of further reading I’ve undertaken in the area of Bourdieu. The writing process is constantly evolving, and I would argue that only by writing, critically reading the writing, reflecting on the writing and then rewriting can you get a sense of any gaps in the writing. Although quite a bit of my second attempt remains unchanged, I have attempted to sharpen up my theoretical focus. Next week I move on to consider the next two headings; the power of the text and the role of coursework.

Fellow bloggers – comments and /or questions on the rewriting process are welcomed.

BLOG REFLECTION FOR FEBRUARY 14TH 2008

This week I have attempted to define who non-traditional students are and the ways in which they can be affected by widening participation policy. This is turn raises the question of study skills; if universities are tending to recruit more non-traditional students, those who perhaps do not possess the necessary cultural capital to achieve their full potential at university, then it seems probable that their study skills (of which reading is key) will need to be developed. Now that I have my first three headings written, in draft form at least, I can start to review and amend and consequently refine my paper. The process of writing a first draft, whilst often painful (and this was no exception!) has provided me with a basis from which to improve – watch this space!

BLOG REFLECTION FEBRUARY 2008

This week I’ve attempted to start the writing process around my key concepts and policy backdrop. I’ve used the key theoretical concepts outlined in this essay before, so am familiar with them and consequently, my writing may seem quite polished. However, I intend to rewrite these sections as the weeks go on and my thinking evolves. I often find it difficult to start something new, and therefore I may take small chunks of writing from related and good quality pieces writing that I have previously undertaken in order to avoid staring at a blank page. I find it much easier, when getting started on something new, to evolve an existing piece of work, than to start again from scratch. Perhaps that explains why to some extent I see writing as a sort of jigsaw puzzle, which just needs the right pieces slotted into the appropriate places and then it will work.

Fellow bloggers – please comment on key policies that you think may be more relevant to this writing than widening participation policy. However, if you think widening participation policy is relevant at this time, then please say so!

REFLECTION ON A STRUCTURE – BLOG ENTRY JANUARY 08

REFLECTION ON A STRUCTURE – BLOG ENTRY JANUARY 08

This is my first attempt at a structure for my reading literature review. I am particularly interested to see how much of this remains unchanged by the time the final draft of this paper is completed. Despite the fact that this is a draft, a work in progress, getting a robust structure in place early on is incredibly useful. Not only does a structure such as this provide a way of organizing the writing, it also allows the writer to consider and reflect on their overarching argument. By considering from the outset what the key argument informing the writing is, it can offer a well developed, cohesive final text.

The next step I intend to take on this literature review is the introduction, which I hope will develop further my key aims for this paper. More often than not I tend to do the introduction last – that way it writes itself. However, in the interests of the literature review being slightly neater, I’ve decided to attempt to start with the introduction and run chronologically through the work. Despite this attempt, I suspect there will be lots of gaps as it will only be at the end of the process when I can really finish this.

Fellow bloggers, any comments or questions about the structure so far would be greatly appreciated!