Welcome to Anisa Vahed, Bonnie Kaplan, Trish Clokie and Lee Scott who join the e-
seminar today.

"Anisa Vahed is a lecturer in the Dental Technology programme, Dental Sciences 
Department at the Durban University of Technology, South Africa. Apart from being 
recognized as a person who fabricates dental prostheses, Anisa further defines her role 
as a Dental Technology educator into the 4 P’s.  A person who is passionate, patient and 
who perseveres in her need for precision.  Anisa was one of four recipients, out of a total 
of 48 candidates from across South Africa, to scoop the 2009 “National Excellence in 
Teaching & Learning” award by The Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of 
Southern Africa (HELTASA) in association with the Council on Higher Education (CHE). I 
was delighted to be present at this award. This achievement among others achieved in 
“2009” has incentivized and deeply motivated Anisa to pursue her doctoral work in Dental 
Technology education specifically theorizing her “living experiences” in game base 
teaching and learning.  Anisa has realized that her doctoral work is not a “means to an 
end” but is a “means to new and exciting beginnings” such as creating blended learning 
teaching environments where E-learning activities will be used to increase learners’ depth 
of learning.  All of this will enhance her university’s vision of “Making knowledge Useful”."

Trish writes:

"I am in the School of Business at the Waikato Institute of Technology in Hamilton, New 
Zealand. My research interests are in the communication technology area and at present 
I'm looking at the effect of online technology on social communication among dairy 
farmers.

However, my main reason for joining your group is that this year I would like to record 
something that I've been thinking about for some time and to  reflect on my 
communication with my mother who has dementia and with health providers involved in 
her care. I'd also to record communication strategies used by people in similar situations 
-so that we can share our experiences with others who might find themselves in this 
"strange world". "

Trish - I think you'll find useful Marian Naidoo's doctoral thesis at:
http://www.actionresearch.net/living/naidoo.shtml
and especially  Chapter Six- Developing services for people with dementia.

Lee has recently had a masters proposal accepted at Durban University of Technology 
where she lectures in the Department of Visual Communication Design - Graphic Design:

"I, as a designer-artist, reflect on the use of visual communication design graphics for the 
purpose of creating a voice to express myself, improve my practice and in turn, create an 
alternate voice for others.
  
My self-study project will reflect on my practice as an artist and visual story teller. I have 
conceptualised and developed a series of pictographic images on cards; these cards have 
been used in various situations by people to tell stories. The cards function as creative 
prompts and their informal quality allows people to feel comfortable whilst telling their 
stories. I am reflecting on the necessity of a ‘visual voice’ and its pertinence for me and 
for people as a playful way to voice thoughts, concerns, anecdotes and day-to-day issues.

I do this as a means to provide deeper insight into my practice as a designer-artist and 
teacher; I find self-study to be an evolving, multilayered and inquiring approach to 
improving one’s practice."

Andy - lots of connections here with your work as a socially engaged artist....

Bonnie - looking forward to hearing about your research interests.

Dear All - I've just updated http://www.actionresearch.net and I'm hoping that you will 
access details in the What's New section for the The Eighth World Congress of the Action 
Learning Action Research Association (ALARA), 6-9th September 2010 in Melbourne, on 
'Participatory Action Research and Action Learning: Appreciating our Pasts, 
Comprehending our Presents, Prefiguring our Futures', and for the:

Seventh Annual Action Research Conference 14-15th May 2010 presented by the 
University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Science on 'Empowerment 
and action research: Personal growth, professional development, and social change in 
educational and community settings.'

I'll be asking for your help and support as I Chair, and get underway from today, the 
Education and Learning Virtual Network Stream for the 8th World Congress of ALARA as 
we appreciate our pasts in comprehending our presents and in prefiguring our futures.

Love Jack.