Hi Sarah (and the rest)

Thanks for sharing your chapter. It'll be my weekend reading. Plus I'm
delighted to find out about Geoff Plimmer ... amazing what goes on in
New Zealand!

Jean

 

Dr Jean Rath
Research Development Co-ordinator
Office of Research and Postgraduate Studies
Room 203, 10 Kelburn Parade
Victoria University of Wellington
Ext: 7408
Email: [log in to unmask]

 


-----Original Message-----
From: BERA-MENTORING-COACHING
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sarah
Fletcher
Sent: Wednesday, 29 November 2006 11:53 a.m.
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Mentoring and Coaching News

Hello Jean (and Everyone),

I came across the Possible Selves Construct in the
work of Leondari et al - details at
http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=2234333
Their paper on academic achievement resonated with the
experiences I had as a patient in a pain clinic
learning to visualise and control pain. 

It seemed to me that visualisation of a better state
of 'being' could be achieved with the help of a
clinician.  I was aware that coaches could help
athletes to perform better by mentally rehearsing
improved moves and from there it was a small step to
realising that mentors might well assist trainee
teachers to rehearse their performance in stressful
events and hone reactions to help coping.  I tried out
my ideas with the help of my post grad group of
trainee teachers in 1999.  You can see my account of
this in my publications at
http://www.TeacherResearch.net - in the Career
Development journal paper that was published in 2000. 

Some time ago I was contacted by Geoff Plimmer who was
over in England from New Zealand.  He shared his ideas
which now underpin his company which offers computer
generated mapping and analysis of clients' self-
perceptions as a basis for mentoring for Future
Selves.  Geoff has a bank of descriptors that clients
select to map out who they think they are and who they
think would like to be as a Future Self.

The Possible Selves Construct that Geoff and I use
comes from the work of Markus in the early 1990s. 
Markus wrote with others about how forming possible
selves helps to direct and motivate learners.  A few
weeks ago I was asked to contribute a chapter on
Possible Selves based on my publication in 2000 for a
new publication by JossyBass.  Marsha Rossitor, the
editor, has brought together a group of writers 
internationally. We're all convinced about the
learning potential of 'Positive Possible Selves' for
adult leaners - I attach my draft chapter.

Looking forward very much to hearing about others'
news on our list,

Warm regards to all (and thanks Jean for asking for
details of my work)

Sarah

--- Jean Rath <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Sarah (and everyone)
> 
> Congrats on the book chapter ... I would really like
> to know more about
> integrating the Possible Selves Construct into
> mentoring - so please do
> share your thoughts.
> 
> Regards
> Jean
> 


Sarah Fletcher
http://www.TeacherResearch.net