feeling positive

Had a productive chat with Bil this morning. As expected, he was ready to answer my questions. I let him talk most of the time. I can tell from his enthusiasm that he had put a lot of thought and planning into the program. It is not my intention to interfere with his design at all. I obtained some clarifying answers: the class Moodle site will be active and accessible throughout the program, synchronous sessions will be recorded, time commitment issues is considered and some content has been moved to “further study.” The introduction of technology will be gradual and probably will be all within what Moodle could provide. There are only around 19 registered and about half Chinese half Americas. This is actually a great news to me – the diversity of the group makes this program more interesting and hopefully my research more lively as well.

Do we easily feel happy when things are going our way?

meeting postponed

That is cool…no rushing, no pushing, just let things happen or not happen

While waiting to talk to Bil to clarify several points, I drafted a pre program survey. There are too many questions for sure but I put them into categories so hopefully Bil would pick, choose, add, and delete to fit his needs as well. I actually consulted two online survey regarding Buddhist websites. Funny that I saved these two a while back thinking I might need it one day. Sure enough, I at least had something to look at when I drafted this survey.

The five categories are: demographic, Buddhism background, motivation, technology background, and online learning experience. I finished the survey with some open-ended questions about concerns and things they like to share.

I hope Bil will incorporate the survey into the program.

Disappointment only occurs when you have a fixed, inflexible, unchangeable expectation.

Program description

Today I received a word document with more detailed program plan. I am quite excited to read it as the program seems pretty interesting. Some top concerns as of now:

Time requirements – seems more than I realized but this might be just me

Content – since the program starts from the basic, I wondered how those contents would be innovative enough to not be the “same old.” In addition, I asked how the assignments/activities are aligned with the learning objectives.

Technology – not exactly clear how and what technology will be used. It seems at this point the only constant technology is Moodle and the discussion forum.

Bil would like some of my feedback. As I am having trouble typing lately, I gave him some feedback via Word voice comments. I asked a lot of questions about the integration of technology and the tools they will use. I am sure he probably already has most of the answers. I am anxious to discuss with him about this.

Above all, I think I have a better idea to be able to write up a proposal.

Counting blessings today. For anything, big or small, to occur, it requires all the elements/factors/conditions to intersect. Observe the arising and falling away of all the conditions. Most importantly, without the cooperation of people, nothing gets accomplished. Counting my blessings! Counting, counting, counting.....

A mixed bag

I spoke to several people about my research idea – at this point really nothing concrete but along the line of characteristics of this program and its members.

1. Betsy – hesitate to encourage me since the “subject” area is religion but encouraged me to talk to more people


2. Curt – do what my calling is and forget what everyone else is saying (but he forgot I am untenured)


3. Mimi – sounds like a very interesting project – focus on the technology integration part and down play the “religion” part to eliminate any “concerns”


4. Michel – be very careful to blend personal interest and professional obligation; a lot of time, your colleagues don’t need to know how you live your life outside of work


5. Kelly – Grace is about how can extend access to education through technology – so how can this add to that border view?


6. Sarah – sample size too small, program evaluation is applied research that a lot of people do not even consider it a research


7. DiDi – should be able to choose my research topic, make sure I actually can get some publications out of this; otherwise don’t do it since they don’t provide funding for me
   

I continued to struggle with this research idea – to do or not to do? If to do, what would be my research question and how can I frame it in such way that will not raise too many eyebrows (religion)?

I feel the pain of the unknow; I wish I know, today. But I also remind myself that suffering is optional. Do what I can and let the rest arise as they do.

It is a go!

Today I finally had a phone conversation with Bil, who is the coordinator and designer of the Lay Dharma Certificate Program. I expressed my interest in conducting a research on the program. Luckily, Venerable Yi-Hong had helped me speak with Venerable Jue-Wei and obtained her initial approval. Bil seemed to welcome this research idea as well. I hope there will be a productive collaboration!

A note to remind self: Pain is inevitable; suffering is however optional. Use this research process as my practice to learn to let go of what is not for me to control, enjoy the unexpected, and be at ease with the flow.

Maybe a new beginning?

I heard about University of West's Lay Dharma Certificate Program from the temple here in Honolulu. Honesty, my initial thought was - nice, another way to get some Buddhism training. I have decided to register for it and make this a research project at the same time. How will this work (research and personal enrichment) - we shall see.

Are we always more motivated when we have something from which to gain?