Silence and Voice

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2010-02-07

Jeffrey Keefer — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:25:00 +0000

Tonight's posting will be blog posting 1500. Wow. #
I have my Tweets go to my blog each evening, via Twitter Tools. I like to track my thinking (perhaps for a future project). #
There is again a large mob at #Magnolia Bakery on Bleecker St. The recession must be over. Hurray!! #
Taking a walk to the pharmacy; my first time out all day. #
The Twit Cleaner is an amazing little Twitter cleaning program http://thetwitcleaner.com #
I'm using The Twit Cleaner to chase the twits from my twitter! http://is.gd/7QkmN #
Just grabbed some bagels for breakfast. Bitterly cold outside, with a spectacular blue sky. The cold wind dried the streets and sidewalks. #
RT @be_b: it seems cognitive dissonance patterns are informing people's habit to not check facts first but process information in biased way #
Malawi man arrested for posting gay rights posters – http://bit.ly/a132Mu #cnn #

Public Transformations . . . almost done . . .

Jeffrey Keefer — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:45:07 +0000

I am nearly finished with the DRAFT of my Public Transformations paper, which is due tomorrow. I do feel confident that my Introduction (with the research problem, significance, and purpose statement) is clear and concise.This is among the more important parts of the paper, and I think I was finally able to articulate it in an interesting and inviting way.

I have been increasingly anxious about the due date, how long the paper is taking, and how a lot of loose ends will simply not get resolved by tomorrow. Nevertheless, I started telling myself over and over that this is a draft, and I will get feedback from two of my peers, after which I will revise for the faculty review and assessment (as well as for a conference abstract I am thinking about). So, while I must submit this by tomorrow, I will still be working on it over the next few weeks (with the FINAL version due on March 8).

So, exhausted and with achy (from typing) arms, I am about to submit the result of all my efforts. Wonder if this is what the thesis (UK) / dissertation (US) is like? Will see THAT one soon enough.

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2010-02-06

Jeffrey Keefer — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 03:25:00 +0000

I have been working on my research paper all day. Due Monday 5:00 pm GMT. #
New comment on "Using Twitter for teaching and learning" http://bt.io/ES26 #
3 new comments on "Helen's reflections" and more http://bt.io/ES1T #
DOing 4 loads of laundry while trying to focus on my paper. #
I am amazed how wrong the weather forecasters were about the snow. Manhattan got nothing. NOTHING! #

An Elevator Speech for Research

Jeffrey Keefer — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:00:55 +0000

I have worked in educational practice for as long as I can remember (or, more precisely, ever since the second year after college), and have often heard about (and even taught the importance of) the elevator speech. This is the short (30 seconds or so) answer to the question, “So, what do you do?” It is a mechanism for networking and searching for work, activities I know are important though have not been especially skilled at (at least not in the F2F modality, that is).

I have never really considered this before for research projects, especially for the dissertation / thesis. This idea originated from Cristina Costa’s recent blog post, where she discussed her PhD in minutes. What a healthy idea to help focus the idea, to try on the idea and feel how it fits, to help to make the process real by speaking it and bringing it into a dimension of reality.

I am sharing this as I want to try this when I work on articulating my doctoral thesis (dissertation back here in the US) later this year. I believe my current research project, Public Transformations: Adult Learners Who Use Social Media to Express and Understand Their Identities as Developing Researchers, will help me in the direction for my work. As I will want people to know about, offer suggestions for, and agree to participate in my research, I will need to be able to clearly articulate the ideas for my work, what I want to find, why I want to find it, and why you should care. Just can’t get away from the WIIFM!

Come to think of it, this process may be useful for every research project . . . . If a research project cannot be simply and clearly stated, then how well can we really engage in it?

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2010-02-05

Jeffrey Keefer — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:25:00 +0000

Planning for a focus group next week. Anybody know a good online primer for writing effective focus group questions? #
Off to the doctor. Glad I have the appointment today, as it is forcing me to take a break from a morning of meetings and GANTTs. #
RT @kanter: Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.If you love what are you doing,you will be successful #

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2010-02-04

Jeffrey Keefer — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:25:00 +0000

Watch out what you want, #Apple is the same bully with the music industry, and will do the same with books and #Flash. #
Hard to believe #Amazon is being such a bully with Macmillan books. How ridiculous of them to pout and refuse to sell best seller books. #
RT @mashable The Amazon vs. Macmillan War Isn't Over Yet http://bit.ly/axRrjw #
Fastest line at the Post Office all week. #
In several meetings this morning about an interesting new initiative we are beginning in the office. #

Personal Reading of Transcripts

Jeffrey Keefer — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:30:51 +0000

I am re-reading all of the transcripts of the 8 interviews I conducted for my research project, and am so overwhelmed with the stories that were shared. They are so personal, so strong, and seemingly so full of every element of human experience. In some ways, I feel I am peering into a slice of the lives of a group fascinating people who shared their stories with me for the sake of my research.

I hope I do their works justice in my findings. Perhaps the best justice would be giving somebody else an insight or idea that leads to some other action in service of research, self-knowledge, and advancing the benefits of a networked community?

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2010-02-03

Jeffrey Keefer — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:25:00 +0000

First Tweet of the day here in my first break of the day. #

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2010-02-02

Jeffrey Keefer — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:25:00 +0000

I need to learn to say "NO!" I have 8 scheduled meetings in the office tomorrow. #
Looking to register for the #NLC2010 in Denmark, and just learned Denmark does not use the Euro. #
Just joined a twibe. Visit http://twibes.com/InstructionalDesigners to join #
Just joined a twibe. Visit http://twibes.com/DigitalHabitats to join #
Steve Jobs and the Economics of Elitism – http://nyti.ms/cCGBf9 – makes me think even more about the viability and quiet elitism. #
Currently reading about Punxsutawney Phil http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123256520 #
Testing pre-registration of #WebEx meetings for internal and external training sessions. #
After being out of the office for a couple of days, I am glad people believed my vm about not checking vm's while I am out. #
We just ordered new cable and Internet service. #

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2010-02-01

Jeffrey Keefer — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:25:00 +0000

I just got my tickets for the Networked Learning Conference #NLC2010 in Aalborg, Denmark, in May http://bit.ly/v4uFU #
Just joined one of communities of practice #CoP that #PMI, the Project Management Institue, recently created. #
RT @gconole: New project exploring interdisciplinarity in TEL research … http://www.tlrp.org/tel/capacity/about-interdisciplinarity/ #
Just reported 2 street lights that are out to http://bit.ly/c5IWCL #
Took a vacation day to work on my paper from home. #

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2010-01-31

Jeffrey Keefer — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:25:00 +0000

Enough tech for today. Off to read some paper materials for the evening. Night, Twitterverse. #
Enjoyed the wine tapping party so much, I went into part of another barrel! #
Super Tuscany http://flic.kr/p/7zHLuj #
About to taste my Super Tuscany at the wine tapping party. #
Going to the facility in New Jersey where I make wine for the tapping party today. Will be the first tasting of my 1/2 barrel for this year. #

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2010-01-30

Jeffrey Keefer — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 03:25:00 +0000

The tailor fixed the zipper on my leather jacket. He does absolutely amazing work. #
I am 66% addicted to Twitter http://su.pr/1b72Ly from the magical @oatmeal #
I just tried Facebook's new Email Reply feature; like it. #
I am new to Twibes http://bit.ly/cQCwcw; what value does it add that Twitter Lists does not? #
The zipper head fell off the zipper on my leather jacket. Need to get it replaced ASAP. #

Transcription Completion for Public Transformations Research

Jeffrey Keefer — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:24:01 +0000

I have completed the transcriptions for my research (a bit later than I hoped, but it is moving forward), and am beginning to analyze it. Some of the transcripts for the 8 interviews I conducted still need to be sent to the research participants for member checking, but all that is underway.

My initial review of the interviews is wonderful; I believe I have a lot of rich stories that may reveal some very interesting things about the experience of Public Transformations.

However, I have to fight against the anxiety of feeling I am very behind where I hoped to be (my paper is due in another week). In some ways, I wish I had the luxury of being able to research without any other work, but it is a fact of my life that there are a lot of things happening. Regardless, I still expect to have the draft of this paper submitted by February 8, when it is due. Hey, what else is there to focus on at this time of the winter?!

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2010-01-29

Jeffrey Keefer — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:25:00 +0000

The contractors have left, so now time to clean clean clean. #
The 3 installers are still working on the shelves. I am getting tired watching them. #
RT @jimgroom: RT @oldaily WordPress. http://www.downes.ca/post/51506 A good argument for a domain of one's own. (thanks @psychmedia) #
Staying home today to manage a furniture delivery and installation. #

Jeffrey’s Twitter Updates for 2010-01-28

Jeffrey Keefer — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:25:00 +0000

Exchanged La Boheme tickets at lunch today. #
Worked on test and instrument design all morning. #
2 new comments on "Sarah's Musings" and more http://bt.io/EHYm #