Sunday, September 06, 2009
Coda 2
After dissertation things seem to slow down, but your mind is avid to do other things. One thing that needs to happen is to refocus, work on your goals, and start working with things beyond schoolwork. In my case, teaching is the primarily responsibility I have at work. Still, research and voluntary work are at the top of my list. So trying to put things together, I have to allocate the time to do those things I love and make me feel a productive person.
I believe things happen for a reason. And as so, you usually engage in activities that will give the opportunity to re-invent yourself in one way or another. You just need to pay attention! (Easier said than done!)
Anyway, this is what happened to me during the summer: I was preparing a course about educational technology for school leaders and read a reference from Stephen R. Covey (The seven habits of highly effective people: Restoring the character ethics, 1989). This is a book that has been around for some time, but it was brand new for me. It was interesting that such a title appeared as a reference here, so I went ahead, bought it and started reading it.
Well, to make a long story short, this is a great book. It helps you refocus and work toward your goals. I remember talking about micromanagement, about making lists, and so many other techniques to try to keep working on my dissertation. This book analyzes those techniques and others too. I wish I had come across it sooner!
I believe things happen for a reason. And as so, you usually engage in activities that will give the opportunity to re-invent yourself in one way or another. You just need to pay attention! (Easier said than done!)
Anyway, this is what happened to me during the summer: I was preparing a course about educational technology for school leaders and read a reference from Stephen R. Covey (The seven habits of highly effective people: Restoring the character ethics, 1989). This is a book that has been around for some time, but it was brand new for me. It was interesting that such a title appeared as a reference here, so I went ahead, bought it and started reading it.
Well, to make a long story short, this is a great book. It helps you refocus and work toward your goals. I remember talking about micromanagement, about making lists, and so many other techniques to try to keep working on my dissertation. This book analyzes those techniques and others too. I wish I had come across it sooner!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Coda
As time goes by and I reflect about the process of writing my dissertation, I realize there were many things inside and outside academia that helped me finish my degree.
First, two things that went hand in hand were the support and encouragement of family and committee members. Knowing they were there with me, at every step, when I needed to answer a question or when I just needed a little push to go forward, was very important.
Secondly, I learned how to soothe myself. I played cards on my computer; and I read self-improvement books, as well as a novel or two. I also learned how to slow down on my personal expectations (which are, usually, very high!). Besides, I learned how to shut down the little negative voice in my head, the one that only thinks about all the bad things that could happen, and was able to turn it into a positive voice that helped me move forward. Reminding my self “Today is going to be a good day!” and working toward that goal really made a difference. And even now, when I think of the things I want to do, I know that a little every day will take me very far.
All this and more helped me concentrate better when working on my dissertation. And so, working a bit almost everyday, little by little, I was able to complete my dissertation. It took us two and half years, eight chapters, and many, many revisions! :)
First, two things that went hand in hand were the support and encouragement of family and committee members. Knowing they were there with me, at every step, when I needed to answer a question or when I just needed a little push to go forward, was very important.
Secondly, I learned how to soothe myself. I played cards on my computer; and I read self-improvement books, as well as a novel or two. I also learned how to slow down on my personal expectations (which are, usually, very high!). Besides, I learned how to shut down the little negative voice in my head, the one that only thinks about all the bad things that could happen, and was able to turn it into a positive voice that helped me move forward. Reminding my self “Today is going to be a good day!” and working toward that goal really made a difference. And even now, when I think of the things I want to do, I know that a little every day will take me very far.
All this and more helped me concentrate better when working on my dissertation. And so, working a bit almost everyday, little by little, I was able to complete my dissertation. It took us two and half years, eight chapters, and many, many revisions! :)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Graduation!
Somehow, getting ready for graduation, meant being more nervous than ever.
My immediate family was there with me. My parents and sister were there too. My mother in law and nephew were also there. They came from different places and joined us in this important day.
After the ceremony, we took many pictures. But the first one was with my advisor. It was her who worked by my side through all this time, pushing me when needed, providing me the support I needed to go forward, giving the advice and making the recommendations necessary to complete my dissertation. To you Kara and to Mirka, many, many thanks!
Later that day, we all went for dinner. We shared memories while we eat and laughed and rejoiced. It was then, when I felt I had completed my dissertation journey. Thank you all for your support in this unimaginable journey! To my husband Arturo, to my children Maniel and Nianti, to my sister Lourdes, and everybody else, THANK YOU!
As I wrote in my dissertation: "The distance between our dreams and our goals is as big or as small as the time and commitment we put into reaching them" (p. 5). Writing a dissertation is not only about perseverance, it also means you have to let go of yourself a little and listen to those that work closely with you.
Your advisor is there for you; your committee members want to help you do the best job possible. Even if this means rewriting so many times, it will all work for your best. At times it feels like going back to grade school and learning to write once more. Now you are learning to write as a researcher!
And at the end, when you see your dissertation in your hands, you’ll understand how important it was to have them by your side, how important it was to follow their guidance. Together with your committee members you were able to participate in a community of scholars and produce one of the most important accomplishments of your live.
And so, this journey has come to its end!
- I was anxious.
I was happy.
I felt like crying.
I almost could not believe,
this moment had come.
My immediate family was there with me. My parents and sister were there too. My mother in law and nephew were also there. They came from different places and joined us in this important day.
After the ceremony, we took many pictures. But the first one was with my advisor. It was her who worked by my side through all this time, pushing me when needed, providing me the support I needed to go forward, giving the advice and making the recommendations necessary to complete my dissertation. To you Kara and to Mirka, many, many thanks!
Later that day, we all went for dinner. We shared memories while we eat and laughed and rejoiced. It was then, when I felt I had completed my dissertation journey. Thank you all for your support in this unimaginable journey! To my husband Arturo, to my children Maniel and Nianti, to my sister Lourdes, and everybody else, THANK YOU!
As I wrote in my dissertation: "The distance between our dreams and our goals is as big or as small as the time and commitment we put into reaching them" (p. 5). Writing a dissertation is not only about perseverance, it also means you have to let go of yourself a little and listen to those that work closely with you.
Your advisor is there for you; your committee members want to help you do the best job possible. Even if this means rewriting so many times, it will all work for your best. At times it feels like going back to grade school and learning to write once more. Now you are learning to write as a researcher!
And at the end, when you see your dissertation in your hands, you’ll understand how important it was to have them by your side, how important it was to follow their guidance. Together with your committee members you were able to participate in a community of scholars and produce one of the most important accomplishments of your live.
And so, this journey has come to its end!
Preparing the dissertation's final copy
It took me two months to prepare the final copy. For some reason it was harder to go back to the dissertation, now that it had been approved. But I knew the questions raised by my committee members were only to improve my dissertation, and as such I wanted to answer all or at least most of them.
This meant rewriting the last chapter. Implications and recommendations needed more work. The ideas were there, but they had to be rephrased. I think this was the hardest chapter of all to write. I was not summarizing or analyzing somebody else’s work, I was not analyzing and interpreting data, I was creating new ideas for others to review and hopefully take a step further. This also meant a new set of editorial revisions.
The due date, December 2, approached rapidly, and together with my advisor and editor, we were able to have the final version ready for submission.
Still, this did not mean I was completely relieved. The next step: getting ready for graduation.
This meant rewriting the last chapter. Implications and recommendations needed more work. The ideas were there, but they had to be rephrased. I think this was the hardest chapter of all to write. I was not summarizing or analyzing somebody else’s work, I was not analyzing and interpreting data, I was creating new ideas for others to review and hopefully take a step further. This also meant a new set of editorial revisions.
The due date, December 2, approached rapidly, and together with my advisor and editor, we were able to have the final version ready for submission.
Still, this did not mean I was completely relieved. The next step: getting ready for graduation.
Labels: dissertation's final copy
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Toward the Oral Defense and Beyond
The day of my defense approached rapidly and I felt how anxiety was building up. I was nervous, but just enough to work as much as I needed to get ready for this important meeting.
I purposely choose to have this meeting on a Wednesday, so I could meet with my advisor prior to that day and also after, if needed. And so, I got to Gainesville on Sunday and met with her on Monday morning.
This was a week of many revisions that little by little polished my presentation. First, I worked with my advisor, and then with a group of students. Questions were what I was looking for, as I tried to have the best presentation possible: one that could show my work throughout this process; one that could clearly and concisely show my research.
We had a couple more meetings before the Defense, in which we worked more with the presentation. She suggested using diagrams to summarize my ideas, and this was an excellent idea. It allowed me to talk about my research instead of reading or getting more nervous, looking insecure, maybe even showing I did not prepare enough.
My defense meeting was great. After 26 minutes the presentation was done and a session of questions and answers started (two hours). Of any presentation I've done, this is the part I like the most because it allows me talk freely about my work, not being restricted to a specific format. It felt good to share my work with the professors and to clarify and answer their questions.
Once we were done, my advisor asked the students present in my defense and myself to step out for a few minutes. And then, when she came out, she congratulated me. I had passed my oral defense and my committee members greeted me congratulated me as Doctor Ortiz :)
The title of my dissertation is: In Search of a Mathematics Discussion Model: Constructing mathematics knowledge through online discussion forums.
I purposely choose to have this meeting on a Wednesday, so I could meet with my advisor prior to that day and also after, if needed. And so, I got to Gainesville on Sunday and met with her on Monday morning.
This was a week of many revisions that little by little polished my presentation. First, I worked with my advisor, and then with a group of students. Questions were what I was looking for, as I tried to have the best presentation possible: one that could show my work throughout this process; one that could clearly and concisely show my research.
We had a couple more meetings before the Defense, in which we worked more with the presentation. She suggested using diagrams to summarize my ideas, and this was an excellent idea. It allowed me to talk about my research instead of reading or getting more nervous, looking insecure, maybe even showing I did not prepare enough.
My defense meeting was great. After 26 minutes the presentation was done and a session of questions and answers started (two hours). Of any presentation I've done, this is the part I like the most because it allows me talk freely about my work, not being restricted to a specific format. It felt good to share my work with the professors and to clarify and answer their questions.
Once we were done, my advisor asked the students present in my defense and myself to step out for a few minutes. And then, when she came out, she congratulated me. I had passed my oral defense and my committee members greeted me congratulated me as Doctor Ortiz :)
The title of my dissertation is: In Search of a Mathematics Discussion Model: Constructing mathematics knowledge through online discussion forums.
Labels: oral defense
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Just a few more days ...
The manuscript is out and now I am preparing the defense presentation. The D-day is approaching quickly! According to Roberts (2004) I should also prepare myself to answer a set of questions related to my work.
Today I bought a small notebook I want to keep with me all the time, so that I can write down as many ideas as possible, not only about this specific project but also about new projects for the future.
Since the proposal presentation it has been 28 months, eight chapters, and more than 200 pages. Hopefully, they all make sense!
Today I bought a small notebook I want to keep with me all the time, so that I can write down as many ideas as possible, not only about this specific project but also about new projects for the future.
Since the proposal presentation it has been 28 months, eight chapters, and more than 200 pages. Hopefully, they all make sense!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
And now, the defense meeting!
The dissertation draft has been approved and now we are trying to decide the best time for the defense meeting. There is this electronic tool (I did not now about before) that can be used to schedule an event among a group of busy people. Its address is http://www.doodle.ch. It can also be used to create quick one question pools, ideal to sound out people’s opinions about a specific topic. I am already thinking about how I can incorporate this tool in my courses.
What I need to do next is to prepare the dissertation manuscript and send it out to the committee members. I am starting to feel a relief, but I can't let go until it is all finished. I am very close to the end of this journey! :)
What I need to do next is to prepare the dissertation manuscript and send it out to the committee members. I am starting to feel a relief, but I can't let go until it is all finished. I am very close to the end of this journey! :)
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Conclusions!!!
Yes, that is true! I've written the first draft of the dissertation's last chapter. Little by little, even when things seemed overwhelming, even when I felt I did not want to work any more, I pushed myself. Little by little, I've come to the end. Well, almost ... At times I just told myself to work a little more and once I got started I kept going ... Now, I just need a little more to complete this project, one of the most important I have ever done. :)
