I have just had my mark for TMA01. I ave 'just achieved' 7 of the 8 points but achieved the eights which relates to self understanding. But I am SO frustrated. Technology is defeating me. The information was sent as zip files. I have extracted both but can only find and read one. So I have the summary but not the detailed comments. I am sitting here close to tears beating myself up for being stupid - which I know is stupid and pointless.
My tutor has correctly identified that I prefer a more free flowing writing style - but isn't aware that I do do academic writing. She commented that the discipline will come in time and with practice. It isn't the discipline needed that is causing me a problem. In a way these ideas are almost too simple to need the kind of academic approach I am taking in my CPD article.
But I know the ideas are really quite complex. How good is my understanding of them really? I think my phone call on Tuesday is going to be very interesting.
But somehow I have got to locate the more detailed comments. I think this may be a case where I need to own up that I need a member of the younger generation to help me.
Sunday, 2 May 2010
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Who am I at my best?
This is an exercise for the course which I meant to do a few days ago. For various reasons I am feeling incredibly negative and down at the moment so I know doing this exercise isn't just important for the course, its important for me
When was I at my best? What do I feel proud of as I look back over what I have done both in work and out of it.
Organising the production section at Dudley Road
My time on the Liver Unit especially starting the self medication system.
Setting up the topping up system at QE
Becoming one of the top DM's in Europe in my RPGA days
The way my relationship with my son has stayed strong as he has matured
Beating depression and getting control over my life.
Dealing with individual patients and their problems
Doing my best for Edna
Being a shoulder to cry on for friends/colleagues with problems
So who am I at my best?
Innovative
Well organised
Focused
Caring
Good communicator
Good listener
Hard working
Reliable
When was I at my best? What do I feel proud of as I look back over what I have done both in work and out of it.
Organising the production section at Dudley Road
My time on the Liver Unit especially starting the self medication system.
Setting up the topping up system at QE
Becoming one of the top DM's in Europe in my RPGA days
The way my relationship with my son has stayed strong as he has matured
Beating depression and getting control over my life.
Dealing with individual patients and their problems
Doing my best for Edna
Being a shoulder to cry on for friends/colleagues with problems
So who am I at my best?
Innovative
Well organised
Focused
Caring
Good communicator
Good listener
Hard working
Reliable
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Improving what I do
I have now read all the course book, know what TMA2 and the ECA are about and am wondering if I have gone dreadfully wrong somewhere. I feel I have missed so much of what I am meant to have learned. I almost feel as if I need to start all over again.
I have been assuming I would find it all easy to understand. And I ave. But I now realise I haven't been reflecting and thinking enough. And that is why I am missing things.
So I need to go through allte exerises again - and this time reflect on them. I havent really engaged my brain on this yet.
I am just glad I have time to improve all this.
I have been assuming I would find it all easy to understand. And I ave. But I now realise I haven't been reflecting and thinking enough. And that is why I am missing things.
So I need to go through allte exerises again - and this time reflect on them. I havent really engaged my brain on this yet.
I am just glad I have time to improve all this.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
Activity 37 6 statements of advice
Brain thinking relationships and social identity
Know yourself so you you are doing what you really want - not what others want you to do
Meditate regularly
Use positive thinking when talking to yourself.
Develop good relationships w
Make sure you have a good work/life balance
Follow commonsense rules for diet and exercise to ensure you are physically healthy
Know yourself so you you are doing what you really want - not what others want you to do
Meditate regularly
Use positive thinking when talking to yourself.
Develop good relationships w
Make sure you have a good work/life balance
Follow commonsense rules for diet and exercise to ensure you are physically healthy
Kenny's story
Reading this was quite painful because having been through depression myself I could identify with Kenny so well.
So here goes to apply a psychologists understanding and look at the interanl and external factors
His desire not to go to work was a symptom of how stressed he had become. The stress had caused in inbalance of serotonin in his brain, and it was this that made him not want to go to work. This would not ave happened overnight. It had probably built up over weeks or months. It is possible there had been more subtle signs before that he ignored.
It is interesting he says he wanted to escape.
The medication helped to restore the serotin levels in his brain and get him on a more even keel, but still didnt solve the main problem which was that Kenny was profoundly unhappy with a large aspect of his life. He didn't have a job he was happy doing. The loss of self esteem this would cause would be contributing to keeping him stuck in a very bad place - not wanting to go out and socialise. And this would in turn keep his serotonin levels off balance and the whole thing becomes a vicious circle.
His recovery was undoubtedly helped by the serotin levels being gradually corrected (by medication, counselling and positive thinking. His eureka moment of thinking ' You've got to do something' would not have happened unless the internal factors had corrected so he was able to take the opportunity that came along that day. Without the correction of the internal factor the external factor would not have helped.
The desire to be a breadwinner again is an internal factor. trhere is no sign that there was any external pressure about this. But it was an important enoug role for him to help him re-balance the internal factors so he COULD actually work again.
Just as you spiral down into depression, you have to gradually spiral out of it with each positive step giving positive feedback that makes the next step a bit easier to take.
I can relate to this so much - it is almost painful to read and think about this. But it also shows me how far I have come since my dark days.
So here goes to apply a psychologists understanding and look at the interanl and external factors
His desire not to go to work was a symptom of how stressed he had become. The stress had caused in inbalance of serotonin in his brain, and it was this that made him not want to go to work. This would not ave happened overnight. It had probably built up over weeks or months. It is possible there had been more subtle signs before that he ignored.
It is interesting he says he wanted to escape.
The medication helped to restore the serotin levels in his brain and get him on a more even keel, but still didnt solve the main problem which was that Kenny was profoundly unhappy with a large aspect of his life. He didn't have a job he was happy doing. The loss of self esteem this would cause would be contributing to keeping him stuck in a very bad place - not wanting to go out and socialise. And this would in turn keep his serotonin levels off balance and the whole thing becomes a vicious circle.
His recovery was undoubtedly helped by the serotin levels being gradually corrected (by medication, counselling and positive thinking. His eureka moment of thinking ' You've got to do something' would not have happened unless the internal factors had corrected so he was able to take the opportunity that came along that day. Without the correction of the internal factor the external factor would not have helped.
The desire to be a breadwinner again is an internal factor. trhere is no sign that there was any external pressure about this. But it was an important enoug role for him to help him re-balance the internal factors so he COULD actually work again.
Just as you spiral down into depression, you have to gradually spiral out of it with each positive step giving positive feedback that makes the next step a bit easier to take.
I can relate to this so much - it is almost painful to read and think about this. But it also shows me how far I have come since my dark days.
Activity 20 Personal ads
Cameron et al did some research on personal ads in 1977, This research concluded that women promote themselves in terms of physical and personality traits while men promoted themselves in more materialistic ways such as homeowner or professional i.e implying they would be good providers. Each was they believed the other was looking for.
The activity was to look at 20 personal ads for each sex and see if you agree with Cameron's findings.
Both sexes tended to use physical attributes, personality attributes and an indication of interests in their ads. So from that point of view I do not agree with Cameron. But both are still advertising themselves in terms of what they believe the other want, but the expectations about what the other wants have changed.
Society has changed a lot in 30 years, and the gender stereotypes have radically altered. So what people want from relationships have changed. Some specify they want a long term relationship. Others just seem to want fun.
Also roles within a relationship are different. Men are no longer expected to be the bread winners and house husbands are becoming more common. Most people expect to share the roles within a relationship.
The two sexes are now much closer together in terms of roles. Women can be professional and men can do housework. Some of the mens ads actually specified they would do housework and used the word 'romantic' The presumption is that women like this in a man. But that presumes the women are still stuck in the old stereotyping. So maybe society hasn't changed as much as I think it has?
I view this from the perspective of a professional woman, in a relationship where my partner is a househusband. My observations are coloured by my perspective. There are still a lot of 'traditional' relationships and people out there. And their perspective on this would be different to mine.
So what have I learned from this?
The date of research is important. When looking at child development 30 year old research can still be very relevant. How children develop wont change much. Society however is continually evolving and it is that factor that makes Cameron's results appear wrong .
This shows how careful you have to be about sources in assessing their relevance to what you are doing.
It is interesting that if Cameron's work was repeated today it wuld have to encompass dating sites and internet personal ads. Interestingly one of the problems with the internet is its lack of personal contact and the ability to pretend to be something or someone you are not. It is interesting that in this digital age, ads in old fashioned media are still used. Maybe people trust papers more?
I thought this would be an easy task - and assumed I knew the result. While it was easy (once I had found some ads!) the results were surprising.
The activity was to look at 20 personal ads for each sex and see if you agree with Cameron's findings.
Both sexes tended to use physical attributes, personality attributes and an indication of interests in their ads. So from that point of view I do not agree with Cameron. But both are still advertising themselves in terms of what they believe the other want, but the expectations about what the other wants have changed.
Society has changed a lot in 30 years, and the gender stereotypes have radically altered. So what people want from relationships have changed. Some specify they want a long term relationship. Others just seem to want fun.
Also roles within a relationship are different. Men are no longer expected to be the bread winners and house husbands are becoming more common. Most people expect to share the roles within a relationship.
The two sexes are now much closer together in terms of roles. Women can be professional and men can do housework. Some of the mens ads actually specified they would do housework and used the word 'romantic' The presumption is that women like this in a man. But that presumes the women are still stuck in the old stereotyping. So maybe society hasn't changed as much as I think it has?
I view this from the perspective of a professional woman, in a relationship where my partner is a househusband. My observations are coloured by my perspective. There are still a lot of 'traditional' relationships and people out there. And their perspective on this would be different to mine.
So what have I learned from this?
The date of research is important. When looking at child development 30 year old research can still be very relevant. How children develop wont change much. Society however is continually evolving and it is that factor that makes Cameron's results appear wrong .
This shows how careful you have to be about sources in assessing their relevance to what you are doing.
It is interesting that if Cameron's work was repeated today it wuld have to encompass dating sites and internet personal ads. Interestingly one of the problems with the internet is its lack of personal contact and the ability to pretend to be something or someone you are not. It is interesting that in this digital age, ads in old fashioned media are still used. Maybe people trust papers more?
I thought this would be an easy task - and assumed I knew the result. While it was easy (once I had found some ads!) the results were surprising.
Monday, 12 April 2010
Reflection on Chapter four
This chapter is all about relating to people. This is something I have had problems with.
The first part about how early relationships effect development got me thinking about my relationship with my son and how I had brought him up. In fact my son often came to mind as I compared his development /relationships at the key stages mentioned in the chapter.
The section on adult relationships was very interesting and I found myself looking at my previous failed adult relationships and my current very successful relationship in a new light.
Happiness is something I have focused on a lot since doing CYLI7D. I believe firmly that happiness is a choice we make and not a state to be aimed for.
Recognising evidence is something I have to do as a pharmacist. To evaluate and recognise what is good or bad evidence is a key part of information mastery. It isn't something I do very well - I couldn't be a medicines information pharmacist - but for the purposes of this course, this isnt a problem for me.
The first part about how early relationships effect development got me thinking about my relationship with my son and how I had brought him up. In fact my son often came to mind as I compared his development /relationships at the key stages mentioned in the chapter.
The section on adult relationships was very interesting and I found myself looking at my previous failed adult relationships and my current very successful relationship in a new light.
Happiness is something I have focused on a lot since doing CYLI7D. I believe firmly that happiness is a choice we make and not a state to be aimed for.
Recognising evidence is something I have to do as a pharmacist. To evaluate and recognise what is good or bad evidence is a key part of information mastery. It isn't something I do very well - I couldn't be a medicines information pharmacist - but for the purposes of this course, this isnt a problem for me.
Monday, 5 April 2010
TMA01
I have finished and submitted TMA01 - days before the deadline. I have given it my best shot. All I can do now is wait for comments from my tutor. I know when I do something once even of I do it wrong I do it much better second time.
I have also finished skim reading the course booklet. I feel I understand most of what the course is about - but I need to re-read it slowly and do all the exercises properly to make sure.
My tutor will ring me tomorrow. That should be an interesting conversation.
I have also finished skim reading the course booklet. I feel I understand most of what the course is about - but I need to re-read it slowly and do all the exercises properly to make sure.
My tutor will ring me tomorrow. That should be an interesting conversation.
Monday, 29 March 2010
Mutiple selves
I am a very different person when I am with my sister to the person I am when I am relaxing with friends. My sister is very formal and very religious. I adapt my speech patterns and idioms to hers. I always end my emails to her with 'God Bless' and it is the only time I would ever do that.
Most of my friends are not formally religious although many profess spirituality.
I think my sister would be very shocked if she saw my behaviour among my friends
Most of my friends are not formally religious although many profess spirituality.
I think my sister would be very shocked if she saw my behaviour among my friends
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Who am I?
The task is to write 10 statements beginning with 'I am'
I am a pharmacist
I am a mother/carer
I am a reiki practitioner
I am a role player
I am overweight
I am engaged to be married
I am a blogger
I am training for the Race for Life
I am a book lover
I am a wrestling fan
What is interesting is that I didn't even think to put I am a woman or I am 58. Does that mean those aspects of me are unimportant?
The first three statements were easy. After that it was a struggle to think of things to say. I define myself VERY much by what I do rather than who I am because I don't feel who I am matters. I am very much a caregiver and only value myself by service to others. I am ashamed of some of the things I am (overweight) and only reveal certain things about myself depending on who I am with. So I keep my reiki practitioner identity hidden from fellow pharmacists for fear of what they think.
I struggle to find positive things to say about myself - I have a very negative self image at times.
When my son was young I often described being a working mother as being a plate juggler trying to keep all the plates spinning. I often found this stressful. I can now see I was trying to keep too many different identities balanced and failing because I didn't always give enough time to each identity. I sometimes felt 'I' didn't exist at all. For balance in life you need to be clear about who you are - and honour all those things.
Roles and expectations
Pharmacist role. This is my most frequent role as it is the one I play at work and also on internet forums. I keep almost all of my private life hidden when I am at work . No-one I work with knows that much about me. My pharmacist role demands that I am rational and scientific. I have to dress and act in accordance with both my employers and the publics expectations of me. That means jeans and a T shirt are out even though that is the dress I adopt for comfort. Also the pharmacists prime role is to supply medicines, but I am happiest talking to people and advising them. I did once try for a prescribing role which I would have loved. I am currently trying to find work that gives me greater patient contact than I get at the moment. So this role constrains me. But my pharmacist role impinges on my social life as well. Some of my role player friends take a relaxed view about cannabis. I had to make it very clear that I don't care what they do in their own homes but they were NOT going to smoke it in my house because wasn't going to risk being struck off the register.
My second role as mother/carer affects every other part of my life. My relationship with my son (now grown up and left home) is now developing into more of a friendship than a mother son. But the caring instinct in me is strong. I cared for Steve's Grandmother (ex mother-in law) during the last couple of years of her life. I intermittently helped to care for my mother when she was ill. When I had to make a choice between working full time as a pharmacist or going part time to act as a carer, I went part time to make sure I had enough time to do everything and still have time for my family. My caring instinct is what took me in the direction of becoming a reiki practitioner. But this is a role I take out of choice - not because anyone expects me to. But it does mean there are times when people tend to take advantage of my good nature because I am known as a caring person
I am a pharmacist
I am a mother/carer
I am a reiki practitioner
I am a role player
I am overweight
I am engaged to be married
I am a blogger
I am training for the Race for Life
I am a book lover
I am a wrestling fan
What is interesting is that I didn't even think to put I am a woman or I am 58. Does that mean those aspects of me are unimportant?
The first three statements were easy. After that it was a struggle to think of things to say. I define myself VERY much by what I do rather than who I am because I don't feel who I am matters. I am very much a caregiver and only value myself by service to others. I am ashamed of some of the things I am (overweight) and only reveal certain things about myself depending on who I am with. So I keep my reiki practitioner identity hidden from fellow pharmacists for fear of what they think.
I struggle to find positive things to say about myself - I have a very negative self image at times.
When my son was young I often described being a working mother as being a plate juggler trying to keep all the plates spinning. I often found this stressful. I can now see I was trying to keep too many different identities balanced and failing because I didn't always give enough time to each identity. I sometimes felt 'I' didn't exist at all. For balance in life you need to be clear about who you are - and honour all those things.
Roles and expectations
Pharmacist role. This is my most frequent role as it is the one I play at work and also on internet forums. I keep almost all of my private life hidden when I am at work . No-one I work with knows that much about me. My pharmacist role demands that I am rational and scientific. I have to dress and act in accordance with both my employers and the publics expectations of me. That means jeans and a T shirt are out even though that is the dress I adopt for comfort. Also the pharmacists prime role is to supply medicines, but I am happiest talking to people and advising them. I did once try for a prescribing role which I would have loved. I am currently trying to find work that gives me greater patient contact than I get at the moment. So this role constrains me. But my pharmacist role impinges on my social life as well. Some of my role player friends take a relaxed view about cannabis. I had to make it very clear that I don't care what they do in their own homes but they were NOT going to smoke it in my house because wasn't going to risk being struck off the register.
My second role as mother/carer affects every other part of my life. My relationship with my son (now grown up and left home) is now developing into more of a friendship than a mother son. But the caring instinct in me is strong. I cared for Steve's Grandmother (ex mother-in law) during the last couple of years of her life. I intermittently helped to care for my mother when she was ill. When I had to make a choice between working full time as a pharmacist or going part time to act as a carer, I went part time to make sure I had enough time to do everything and still have time for my family. My caring instinct is what took me in the direction of becoming a reiki practitioner. But this is a role I take out of choice - not because anyone expects me to. But it does mean there are times when people tend to take advantage of my good nature because I am known as a caring person
Saturday, 20 March 2010
TMA01
I have started writing TMA 01. I am trying to do it according to the guidelines given in the book . I have done a plan -and what I have written bears no resemblance to the plan I wrote.
I am very unconfident that the final essay will be up to standard.
I am very unconfident that the final essay will be up to standard.
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
First contact
I've just had 'the' phone call from my tutor - and I am now wondering what I was worried about. She sounds lovely and I am sure she will be very helpful.
I now have REAL deadlines to meet - the first of which is my learning plan. Do I admit I dont have a clue how to do one? I am sure I will manage it though.
Next deadline is for the next phine call (6th April at 7.00pm)
Then the big deadline is for TMA 1 to go in (Mid April)
I am bit worried about the need for reflective learning - too many menories of keele and its refelctive portfolio nightmares. But this blog is part of my reflection - and I am in a LOT better frame of mind to do proper refelction now than I was when I was at Keele.
Tomorrow I will do my learning plan.
I now have REAL deadlines to meet - the first of which is my learning plan. Do I admit I dont have a clue how to do one? I am sure I will manage it though.
Next deadline is for the next phine call (6th April at 7.00pm)
Then the big deadline is for TMA 1 to go in (Mid April)
I am bit worried about the need for reflective learning - too many menories of keele and its refelctive portfolio nightmares. But this blog is part of my reflection - and I am in a LOT better frame of mind to do proper refelction now than I was when I was at Keele.
Tomorrow I will do my learning plan.
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Do I start my first TMA?
The course doesn't officially start until 1st March (a very different birthday gift for me!) but I am already deep into study and I am enjoying it a lot. I have looked at the timetable and realised TMA 01 is based on the chapters I have already read. I have decided there is no harm in planning out the TMA at this stage and maybe writing it out in draft.
But I am assuming that I am on the right track and that my tutor isn't going to have anything that useful to say to me at this stage. Am I being a bit arrogant? No I dont think so. Although I haven't done any formal study or essay writing for over 20 years, as a pharmacist I am ALWAYS studying . I have a professional obligation to keep my knowledge up to date so reading scientific papers is something I do regularly. But I haven't written a formal essay since September 1988. It is the essay writing I am worried about. I feel it wont hurt to get things drafted out early before I talk to my tutor. I can always alter things if I feel I need to once I have spoken to her.
Lets be honest I am scared about this first TMA. I want to have plenty of time to get it right. I need to prove to myself I can still do it as much as prove to my tutor.
I have already done a plan - and am already looking forward to going back over the relevant chapters to check my information. I know I learn best when I write things out.I do seem to be assuming the learning plan will be easy to do - and I am supposed to agree that with my tutor.
Well if I have gone wrong somewhere I have plenty of time to put it right.
Actually the next big event is first contact with my tutor - and that is something I am REALLY nervous about. I hope we get on OK.
But I am assuming that I am on the right track and that my tutor isn't going to have anything that useful to say to me at this stage. Am I being a bit arrogant? No I dont think so. Although I haven't done any formal study or essay writing for over 20 years, as a pharmacist I am ALWAYS studying . I have a professional obligation to keep my knowledge up to date so reading scientific papers is something I do regularly. But I haven't written a formal essay since September 1988. It is the essay writing I am worried about. I feel it wont hurt to get things drafted out early before I talk to my tutor. I can always alter things if I feel I need to once I have spoken to her.
Lets be honest I am scared about this first TMA. I want to have plenty of time to get it right. I need to prove to myself I can still do it as much as prove to my tutor.
I have already done a plan - and am already looking forward to going back over the relevant chapters to check my information. I know I learn best when I write things out.I do seem to be assuming the learning plan will be easy to do - and I am supposed to agree that with my tutor.
Well if I have gone wrong somewhere I have plenty of time to put it right.
Actually the next big event is first contact with my tutor - and that is something I am REALLY nervous about. I hope we get on OK.
Saturday, 13 February 2010
Keeping ahead of the game - I hope
I watched the rest of the DVD this morning. I was interested to hear about how personal the relationship with your tutor is. Although thinking about it it would have to be.I hope I get on OK with mine and I am now wondering when he or she will ring me/email me.
O have also had another look at the suggested timetable. I am way ahead because the course doesn't begin until March 1st and I am already doing Chapter 2. But I have a feeling I need to slow down. I am assuming because I am familiar with the words and the concepts I am understanding it all correctly and I may not be. I must NOT be arrogant because I already have a degree. Its been a long time since I studied seriously.
I am also anxious about the TMA's and essay now. It has to be referenced - something I hate doing.
I am also worried that the online system wont work with Mac software - which could mean getting our desktop Windows PC repaired and running could be critical. Although I am sure Steve would let me borrow his to transfer documents into Word or Office.
I need to bite the bullet and log into the website and get that bit activated. I'm not sure why I am reluctant to do that.
I also need to get all my OU stuff in one place and that means retrieving the other letters from where I filed them and putting them in the case with my coursework stuff.
I guess all this comes down to fear of the unknown. I know once I take the first step,have the first contact from my tutor I will be fine.
O have also had another look at the suggested timetable. I am way ahead because the course doesn't begin until March 1st and I am already doing Chapter 2. But I have a feeling I need to slow down. I am assuming because I am familiar with the words and the concepts I am understanding it all correctly and I may not be. I must NOT be arrogant because I already have a degree. Its been a long time since I studied seriously.
I am also anxious about the TMA's and essay now. It has to be referenced - something I hate doing.
I am also worried that the online system wont work with Mac software - which could mean getting our desktop Windows PC repaired and running could be critical. Although I am sure Steve would let me borrow his to transfer documents into Word or Office.
I need to bite the bullet and log into the website and get that bit activated. I'm not sure why I am reluctant to do that.
I also need to get all my OU stuff in one place and that means retrieving the other letters from where I filed them and putting them in the case with my coursework stuff.
I guess all this comes down to fear of the unknown. I know once I take the first step,have the first contact from my tutor I will be fine.
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Study is fun
I had forgotten how much fun studying is - mind you this is only the early stages and am sure it will get more challenging as I go on.
I managed to do some study during my lunch break. It was a welcome break from the pressure of work which was horrendous today.
Its good to see how the course material is set out to me easily usable by almost anyone.You don't realise how much information you take for granted that you know - and assume everyone will know. It was when I saw a note explaining what 'et al' meant that I realised not everyone would know. It just highlights the different backgrounds of my fellow students. I do hope I get the chance to meet some of them.
I found the material I read today interesting. Memory is an emotive topic for me after seeing how losing her memory affected Edna so badly. I am trying to relate what I leraned today abut the different types of memory (episodic, semantic and procedural) to how Edna's memory went. She could recall past events in her life (episodic) but had problems remembering how to do things (procedural) . But her episodic memory WAS affected because she couldn't remember recent events. So even those divisions of memory must be subdivided somehow. She had a reasonable memory for facts - so I geuss her semantic memory wasn't effected too much. It will be interesting to see if I get any further insights into her dementia by wnat I learn on this course.
The stuff on patients with divided brains was interesting. I have always known the left and right brains were different - but reading about how patients with divided brains cannot do something if they just see it with ONE eye because the message only gets to one side of the brain.
I always knew the brain was immensely powerful - I wanted to do this course to explore how powerful it is -but I am beggining to realise how much more complex it is than I ever thought.
This course is SO right for me
I managed to do some study during my lunch break. It was a welcome break from the pressure of work which was horrendous today.
Its good to see how the course material is set out to me easily usable by almost anyone.You don't realise how much information you take for granted that you know - and assume everyone will know. It was when I saw a note explaining what 'et al' meant that I realised not everyone would know. It just highlights the different backgrounds of my fellow students. I do hope I get the chance to meet some of them.
I found the material I read today interesting. Memory is an emotive topic for me after seeing how losing her memory affected Edna so badly. I am trying to relate what I leraned today abut the different types of memory (episodic, semantic and procedural) to how Edna's memory went. She could recall past events in her life (episodic) but had problems remembering how to do things (procedural) . But her episodic memory WAS affected because she couldn't remember recent events. So even those divisions of memory must be subdivided somehow. She had a reasonable memory for facts - so I geuss her semantic memory wasn't effected too much. It will be interesting to see if I get any further insights into her dementia by wnat I learn on this course.
The stuff on patients with divided brains was interesting. I have always known the left and right brains were different - but reading about how patients with divided brains cannot do something if they just see it with ONE eye because the message only gets to one side of the brain.
I always knew the brain was immensely powerful - I wanted to do this course to explore how powerful it is -but I am beggining to realise how much more complex it is than I ever thought.
This course is SO right for me
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Time to study
Finding time is one of my worries. I sort of earmarked weekend mornings when I am the only one up but this morning I have watched part of the video - and found out you need 6 - 8 hours a week. I have realised I can find time before I go to work, during lunch breaks and at the weekend. I am actually quite optimistic about finding the time - but still dreading having to write an essay. I love writing - thats why I keep blogs - but I haven't had to write a serious essay since I passed my exams for the CPP back in 1988.
Oh well I'm sure Steve will give me some advice if I get stuck!
Oh well I'm sure Steve will give me some advice if I get stuck!
Another blog??
I have started an Open University short course called Starting with Psychology. I have decided to do this for a number of reasons
I have often wondered what the OU was like
I enjoy studying
The course will be useful whether I stay as a pharmacist or become a reiki therapist because in both cases I will be dealing with people. In fact I am including the coursein my CPD portfolio
I have wanted to understand more about psychology since I worked through CYLI7D and realised how powerful a tool the brain is
It gives me the possibility of going on to do parapsychology which fascinates me
Doing any study is good for my 'use it or lose it' approach to staying healthy in mind and body as I get older (I will be 58 in 2 weeks)
I have decided t be good and actually follow the plan supplied by the OU. This may sound obvious but t anyone who knows me this is not my normal approach. So I have actually checked the contents and read the leaflets they recommend before diving into the study book. The only thing I haven't done yet is watch the DVD,
So far I have done my reading during my lunch break. But at the moment it can be broken up into 10 -15 minutes chunks. That may not last once I get deeper into the course. Also what I read today was about the structure of the brain - which I already know. I am sure it will be harder later.
The course books suggest at times you reflect on what you have been reading, That has horrid connotations of the dreaded reflective portfolio that was such a trial to me when I was studying at Keele. BUT what the course seems to want is much less onerous . Free form reflection in a blog is something I now do routinely - and that is the reason I have started this blog (my forth - . 3 current and one completed )
My initial reflections on the course are that it looks challenging and to my pleasure I have already found things in the study book that I can relate to CYLI7D .
It was good revising the structure of the brain, interesting learning what 'plasticity' is - and fascinating to learn that our actions can change the brain. I am really looking forward to getting onto to stuff that is less familiar.
I have often wondered what the OU was like
I enjoy studying
The course will be useful whether I stay as a pharmacist or become a reiki therapist because in both cases I will be dealing with people. In fact I am including the coursein my CPD portfolio
I have wanted to understand more about psychology since I worked through CYLI7D and realised how powerful a tool the brain is
It gives me the possibility of going on to do parapsychology which fascinates me
Doing any study is good for my 'use it or lose it' approach to staying healthy in mind and body as I get older (I will be 58 in 2 weeks)
I have decided t be good and actually follow the plan supplied by the OU. This may sound obvious but t anyone who knows me this is not my normal approach. So I have actually checked the contents and read the leaflets they recommend before diving into the study book. The only thing I haven't done yet is watch the DVD,
So far I have done my reading during my lunch break. But at the moment it can be broken up into 10 -15 minutes chunks. That may not last once I get deeper into the course. Also what I read today was about the structure of the brain - which I already know. I am sure it will be harder later.
The course books suggest at times you reflect on what you have been reading, That has horrid connotations of the dreaded reflective portfolio that was such a trial to me when I was studying at Keele. BUT what the course seems to want is much less onerous . Free form reflection in a blog is something I now do routinely - and that is the reason I have started this blog (my forth - . 3 current and one completed )
My initial reflections on the course are that it looks challenging and to my pleasure I have already found things in the study book that I can relate to CYLI7D .
It was good revising the structure of the brain, interesting learning what 'plasticity' is - and fascinating to learn that our actions can change the brain. I am really looking forward to getting onto to stuff that is less familiar.
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