Summary Week 2

This week students began exploring their variables in which they will become experts. I have been working this week to try to challenge the students to extend their thinking from the article to how it relates to our study or other potential studies. It is always fascinating to see how differently the three faculty think about various issues that arise. We feel very lucky to have a group of faculty that works so well together. I can imagine that it could be ugly to work with someone with a totally different picture of the process or different philosophy of teaching.

Students are still finishing up their interviews and getting all of their data submitted. We want to have them begin analyzing data next week. I anticipate that some students will have difficulty with this – and have offered to talk with students on skype or GoToMeeting and work with them.

Dr. Giles came to visit me this week which has allowed us to work on some of the data we have accumulated in previous studies. We have considering a new developmental theory related to oldest old. I think we both felt a little brain dead after thinking about it for many hours yesterday! It feels a little overwhelming to have accumulated so much data and trying to sort out what it means and how everything ties together.

Lee Stadtlander