Sabbatical reflections and revisions

I wrote this last night.

I have been here for over three weeks and have had many visits and experiences exploring IT. I also have some experience with STOU. It is time to think about my sabbatical intentions.

My goal for this Sabbatical is to learn and reflect.
I am looking for experiences in:
Technology usage
A new culture
A new language
Technology adoption
Technology training
Technology support
New perspectives on the use of technology and training.
Comparisons and contrasts between the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Rural and Community Development Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.

My methods are interviews and observations.

I adding a few new items to my interview/visit list.
I want to interview the computer support people at Jukes School
I want to spend some significant time at Pantip Palace and even arrange some interviews
I want to interview somebody at STOU about the academic and curriculum process.
I want to interview computer support people at STOU

My goal at STOU is to learn how the institution works and to see how that changes my perception of UAF and CRCD. I do not see having a meaningful or significant job at STOU because of my lack of ability in the Thai language. I think through discussion and interviews that I can be of some value.

When I return from my sabbatical I want to return with a richer perspective and a new pool of experiences and examples to draw upon. I already feel my sabbatical has changed me. My life is not boring, predictable or in my control, it never was, but it seemed that way.

I also am personally am finding creating blog entries valuable. Just keeping notes of my observations stimulates more observations. It is like photography, the more pictures you take the more you see.

Another aspect of this sabbatical is the empathy that I have for students. Not being able to speak or understand a language is a humbling experience. I need a Thai Mary Earp!

When I return I want to work in student support and teach. I would like to do tasks that make a difference and that are significant. I expect to work four more years.

I am writhing this blog using my Palm. There is a storm, thunder, lightening and intense rain. The temperature is cooling and I can listen to the storm as I fall asleep. It is not a spooky Halloween storm.

Tomorrow we will visit a regional center at Nakhon Nayok.