Jack Whitehead, DUT NRF Visiting Scientist, has been sharing his wisdom and knowledge -in his inimitable generous and loving way - for two whole days, starting at 08.00 and finishing at 21.00! Please see the attached flyer and programme for an indication of what we have been aiming to achieve between 09.00-15/16.00. In spite of the technological gremlins, we have managed to start almost on time! After 16.00, Jack has been involved in personal meetings, and suppers with various interested people, which I am very happy to say, have included DUT Vice Chancellor, Professor Ahmed Bawa.
I have been fascinated and intrigued by Jack's accounts and demonstration of what he has achieved, and what can be achieved with living theories action research, the 'quality of action research', how action research and living theories can be defended in the academy, and their underpinning imperatives, and much more. For me, the 'quality' of this experience lies in Jack's palpable love not only for the knowledge that he shares, and for what he does, but his love also for those with whom he shares ... US! Without exception! And even at the end of a very long day of high energy interaction ...
There were almost 50 people on Thursday, and another 35 on Friday. Our audience has been mostly DUT teachers, librarians and students, but we have also been very happy to welcome Professor Marcos Cherinda, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Universidade Pedagogica, Maputo, Mozambique and Dr Alberto Cupane, from the same university, to our gathering. And other visitors. We welcome Ansa Liebenberg from the training sector in Gauteng. Welcome to you all.
On Friday, we had our first CARN study day - 'Collaborative Action Research Network', which Jack kindly organized for us, and at the end of the day we focused formally on the Action Research Africa Network (ARAN). DUT Vice Chancellor, Professor Ahmed Bawa, joined us for this occasion, as well as our visitors from Mozambique, and Professor Moyo, Director of Research Management and Development, and Professor Ngwenya, Director of the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching at DUT.
In launching ARAN, Jack paid special attention to what can be achieved with such a listserve by referring to the practitioner-researcher listserve. He demonstrated how using such listserves puts our practice into the public domain in powerful and immediate ways. Jack showed, by referring to what is currently being shared, how conversations about the improvement of personal and professional practice are being held across the world, and how such conversations provide the opportunity for sharing best practice and providing the encouragement and support to each other in powerful and meaningful ways. I was delighted and intrigued to hear Professor Bawa suggesting that action research living theories could be a way to develop an understanding of the 'African University'. I am excited to continue exploring that possibility.
Tomorrow, Saturday, we have another workshop from 10.00-15.00. We will focus on living theories action research from the perspective of schools in rural KwaZuluNatal. And I will send my impressions ...
I am hoping that other participants in this series of workshops will be recording their responses to what has been happening at DUT over the last couple of days ...
Take care
Joan
-----Original Message-----
From: Action Research Africa Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Wood, Lesley (Prof) (Summerstrand Campus South)
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2010 8:35 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Liz & Spanglefish
HI Liz
Welcome to the network! I have tried Spanglefish but also had problems in filling it in ..but others have done it easily, so I think the fault lies with us! I am intrigued with your study and hope to be able to access it once you have finished.
Lesley x
________________________________________
From: Action Research Africa Network [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Liz Wolvaardt [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 14 October 2010 04:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Liz & Spanglefish
Good afternoon everyone!
My name is Liz Wolvaardt. I am currently engaged with my doctoral studies and my work is entitled: "Over the conceptual horizon: a living theory of teaching public health in the undergraduate medical curriculum". I am enrolled at the Faculty of Education at the University of Pretoria although my academic background is in the health sciences...
Has anyone managed to create their websites via Spanglefish yet? I have filled in the blocks and clicked "submit" but have not heard anything in two weeks...is this usual?
Yours sincerely,
Liz Wolvaardt
BCur (Pret), MPH (Pret), PGCHE (Pret)
Lecturer
School of Health Systems and Public Health
University of Pretoria
Office: 6-13
HW Snyman North
Tel: +27 12 354 1169
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