Mark Brown

Blood transfusion with sheep photo in the background

Back at the hospital yesterday for seven hours and two units of blood. It was my first experience in NZ as an outpatient, which I should have guessed would include sheep. Finding the significantly lower blood transfusion thresholds compared to Ireland a bit of a struggle.

Dark Forrest

I have been discharged from the hospital. After going to some dark places, it’s going to time to regain my strength following pneumonia and a serious blood clot in my arm, thanks to an infected IV line. The next challenge is to prepare myself for my next round of chemotherapy suppression treatment.

On bed in hospital

Day 9 of being in the hospital since my return to New Zealand. Despite a leg infection, arm infection thanks to an infected IV line, and now pneumonia, I’m still going strongly - largely thanks to Oxocordone!

Flight map

A personal update to let colleagues know that I have returned to New Zealand. Unfortunately, I experienced a reoccurrence of my Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in December. When AML relapses, it can be vicious. Therefore, we have returned to New Zealand to spend as much time as possible with family.

Sitting in chair waiting for blood

Seven efforts today to insert a successful working cannula. That's what you get being greedy waiting on 2 units of blood and one unit of platelets

Yes, thanks and just starting a new treatment

Cannula in the arm

Back at my home away from home

Arm with bandages from needles for blood tests

Blood test Tuesday is spoiling the look of my ‘new’ vintage watch. To make matters worse, I have one more blood test to come shortly, hopefully the other arm, and a ‘fun’ bone marrow biopsy…

Watch on wrist

Time to ditch the Garmin as my best running days are behind me, but no complaints with my 1960s vintage watch replacement

Online Learning Rankings 2024: results announced Eleven universities across four continents are awarded gold in first attempt to measure online learning on a global basis

Good to see Arizona State University (ASU) and Massey University in New Zealand gaining GOLD status in the new Times Higher Education rankings for online learning. Well deserved based on my first-hand experience at both universities. See… www.timeshighereducation.com/world-univer...

A flock of birds with acknowledgement to… https://unsplash.com/photos/a-flock-of-birds-flying-over-a-dry-grass-field-fpZRaTl7unI

Delighted to wake up to the news that another ‘down under’ colleague has been promoted. Pleased I was able to support her application with my written reference.

Yes, I made it back home after taking a longer route to test myself. Thanks for checking!

Arm with bandage attached

Arm with bandage attached

A matching set of bandages after today’s bloods. Well attached, so there shouldn't be any leakages on the way home…

Image of bloodied man on the mat of a boxing ring with Donald Trump looking over him

My third metaphor is still in active play. I continue to fight on, despite taking telling punches and several knockdowns. While not out for the count yet, living in troubling times is more of a mental than physical game. No longer protected from the outside world, I need to make some big decisions…

Old man sitting in a boat surrounded by sharks and planes and drones in the sky.

My second metaphor, inspired by the song “Six Months in a Leaky Boat”, depicts a journey across difficult waters. My support team is in the background, but throwing me a lifeline isn't easy. Over 12 months in this leaky boat the sky is never clear and AI continues to reshape the education horizon…

Man sitting on a bed in a bubble while drones fly above

My first metaphor depicts me in a bubble during the early stages of treatment for AML. I'm updating my daily journal, while connected to a chemo bag or receiving new blood. I watch drones fly above dropping bombs on victims and the new world of AI in education rapidly evolve from my ‘safe’ bubble…

Image of a hospital out-patient waiting area

I'm back where it all began one year ago, waiting for the gift of blood to mark the anniversary. Over the last year, three metaphors help to describe and encapsulate my experience and are woven between the lines of my journal. I’ve used OpenArt to visually amplify the stories behind each metaphor…

I think we need to keep in mind that Gen-AI isn't a single monolithic entity. Therefore, sweeping claims or statements about AI in education, good and bad, do little to advance deeper, more nuanced and complex understandings, especially when the educational context is also crucial.

Photo of Father mowing the lawns

Just enough time before the day finishes ‘down under’ and my Viva starts to wish my Father a happy 94th birthday. Hopefully, I’ll still be mowing the lawn when I get close to his age.

AI-generated image of man sitting in chair facing computer screen.

Early morning ‘bloods’ in the bank and now updating Zoom for a doctoral Viva later in the day. It’s always rewarding when you help to contribute to the next generation of leaders...

Entrance to dental surgery

The gift that keeps giving… dental work with low platelets, not a great combination

An early start this morning for my Tuesday bloods with the added bonus of a punch in the back for a bone marrow biopsy

YouTube video by Math Guy Zero Ma and Pa Kettle Math Lesson

I estimate that over my 13 years on Twitter, I spent a total of 3 weeks (24/7) of my life on the platform. That's a lot of screentime. Since leaving Twitter at the end of 2022, I have reclaimed (or redistributed) about a week (24/7) of my life. Do your own calculations… youtu.be/DyA-TmZJ7w4

This is my first post to Bluesky and I’m still trying to figure out what online persona I want to craft in this space. For moral reasons, I closed all of my Twitter accounts at the start of 2022 and don’t really miss it, especially as I’m reasonably active on LinkedIn. Something to ponder…