AM Skype Session Write Up - Socratic Skype

So as I write this sailing away from Kobe in Japan… Ironically the reason for the delay in posting this blog post is because I had wifi problems… One of the topics that I bring up within my write up of the most recent skype session!

I have recently taken part in a group Skype session with my fellow students and I was given the task of writing up about the “advice giving” section of the topic.

I was asked on the skype by a fellow student about how I was coping with the degree work while working on a ship. She is about to start her new contract and asked for some advice and some of my experiences while being on board sailing the world!

Well my first main bit of advice was to not panic… It can be pretty daunting, when traveling, when you see there are skype sessions scheduled and online research to do and also of course, the online blogs. We explore in module 1 just how reliant we have become on Web 2.0, in fact I highlight the potential worry that the industry has intact become too reliant on Web 2.0 and when you are sailing about, wifi and access to Web 2.0 becomes gold dust! Wifi cards are mega expensive, some ports have such awful wifi and sometimes you just don't have the chance to!

But its not all doom and gloom, you're reading this right and I am half way to Nagasaki! This work based degree is designed to compliment your job not create road blocks. The tutors are incredibly sympathetic and work out ways to overcome the problems. I have one on one skype sessions, correspond on e-mails and instead of being a frequent blogger, I keep personal journals and become more of an observer on the odd chance I get to look through the recent bloggs… Make it work for you.

Time differences can be another main problem, I am 9 hours ahead of UK time currently so a 11am skype session became a 7pm one. But its all about careful planning, you have to be ahead of your game and make sure you keep a world clock set on your phone or laptop for quick reference if like me you struggle working out times across the world.

As long as you can plan your time wisely and make the rare valuable wifi time work for you, working on a ship and continuing with BAPP isn’t all that bad! It is different to any way of learning I have done previously but its also very fulfilling and worth it!

Moving on from the advice given on just this particular topic however, and moving onto a more general note. The advice given over a Skype session can actually be really beneficial! I highlighted in the conversation that we are not in a normal class environment when open discussion occurs naturally and help can be asked for and given instantly. A group skype call is just a prime example of how Web 2.0 allows us to simulate a class environment in our work places. I was out outside my floating hotel and home in a ship terminal, but for that single hour, I was able to communicate with my fellow students and get instant feedback on ideas and discussion topics. Even on the other side of the globe, having that ability to talk was so helpful and I would recommend that anyone on the course who is unsure or looks past the skype sessions to do their up most best to join on them because the stuff you gain from it is invaluable.

Some few more examples of the kind of advice given throughout the chat involved interpreting different styles of writing and knowing when it was appropriate to use certain styles when writing certain prose. For example should a blogg be casual or formal? Well I said a blogg was personal so should reflect your personality where as an essay should reflect your personality yes, but obviously be formal and precise. I feel that knowing how to write is a skill in itself before writing even takes place! Another topic of advice came about when a student asked those on Module 2 if they had any advice for a student just starting on module 1. This sparked a different form of advice giving because we each took it in turns to talk about our own personal experiences and rather than a discussion exploring different ideas it was more stating and directing.

Some good advice was mentioned about starting Module 1:

Connecting with people is key on this course, we learn in module 1 about networking so putting it into practice straight away is really handy!

Finding ways to work that suit you, whether its a daily blog or a private journal. Don't panic or follow the crowd, do what suits you and if it works that's great and evaluate why it works, if it doesn't work then... evaluate why it doesn't work and explore how you can rectify it.

These skype sessions become similar to a Socratic Seminar, where discussion is used to illuminate ideas and spark off critical thinking. In fact even as I write this, it has made me question just how similar these sessions are to a Socratic method and I will do further research, so watch this space!

To conclude, I just really felt positive after the skype session and despite my work situation, plan on doing more and recommend that everyone who can should participate as the advice given is just so fantastic and beneficial to all participants!