Well, we're another week into the module and progress is happening. I've finished Bell's book, which is something I can tell I'll return to during the process, and I'm about a third of the way through with Decolonizing Methodologies. It's a fascinating read, not only for the intended content, but also for the history. I know very little about the history of indigenous peoples of New Zealand--all of my schooling focused on indigenous peoples of North America--so it's interesting, though obviously troubling, to compare the process of colonization and decolonization between the two places. A lot to process through and a lot to sit with, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the book continues.
On another note, I'm in a different place job-wise than I was last week. I've had some unexpected but very welcome opportunities fall into my lap, and it looks like I'll have more available directions to go in with my research than I expected, which is very exciting! That means I can really start looking into the research as such this weekend now that I can relax a bit on the job front.
And on yet another note, I've been reminded in the last week or two just how much teaching is a process of learning. I mean duh, of course it is, but I've had several moments in the last few weeks of trying to help students with this or that and figuring out to explain it as they were learning how to do it. I'm sure at a certain point, teachers see certain issues over and over again, an FAQ of sorts. I'm beginning to amass those things too (hyperextension, so much hyperextension with young students). But on the other hand, since every student is different, it's fun to think that there will never be an end to interesting challenges in this career.
What has happened in class lately that has surprised you? Perhaps something a student has done, or a new way of explaining things?
Hi Hannah. Thanks for your comments. 'Saying' really meant 'speaking'. Yes 'real importance' in context of quantitative research and 'answer'. If thorough qualitative research our data is construed via our own unique interpretation based on the subjective, then it is only 'real' to us and therefore I question how it may be greatly useful as it will just throw light on another perspective. I struggle with this. Feeling that I can't prove something or make a leap of difference. Through quantitative research there are firm hurdles to continue from but even this is subjective and lines of questioning can manipulate certain answers and so I am still getting my head around research in general as this is all very new to me. Reading has helped me to understand, but I am certainly on an uphill climb. Thanks Hannah for your comments.
ReplyDeleteHannah. I have just read your blog. I lived in New Zealand for six years and indeed the Maori's really suffered with disease at the hands of colonization. Amazing people, spiritually connected with the world and this beautiful country. I will definitely take the time to read this. I am reading The Construal of Spatial Meaning which is opening up the issue of communication, recommended to help analyze participants during interviews.
ReplyDeleteLiving in NZ sounds wonderful. I've always wanted to visit. That spatial meaning books sounds interesting...
DeleteHi Hannah, I found this book quite a hard slog to begin with but as I read and realised what I had "learned" in school was possibly just a perspective it made me think about all the other aspects of our lives this is the case for. It made me also question the adoration I had for people like Darwin and his work and what impact that had on indigenous people.
ReplyDeleteI'm finding it disorienting because I think I'm just missing these huge chunks of cultural context that the author perhaps assumes her audience will have. She's probably writing an audience well-versed in NZ history and culture, and I'm unfortunately not. I wish I could remember specifics off-hand but there's certain bits where I can infer that something must be a hot button topic there, but I don't have any of the context to interpret it. This must be what others feel like reading books from the US! But it's a good reminder for me to make sure global readers have enough info to be able to follow along in my own writing.
DeleteI will say it's very, very odd to grow up being acutely aware and ashamed of American exceptionalism and colonialism and wars abroad and then read a book where colonizers are referred to as European only! In one sense, yes, the US was originally colonized by Europeans and the history of indigenous peoples here reflects that all too well :(, but in another, we've definitely done enough damage of our own now secondarily. I keep thinking, I wish my country were free of guilt, but alas, it is not the case.