October 31, 2004 - Letting Go
I've finished my first draft for the Action Research Plan. My first two cycle questions make sense to me. Before I can actually start the process, I need to find participants who are open to the process and who want to solve the problem. I find myself designing the research to produce the outcome that I want. Why? I think it's because for all of my professional career I have be involved in and/or exposed to traditional research--where I would be the controlling factor. Action research really isn't about what I DO TO OTHERS, they are actually partners in this. All participants will go on this journey and assist in the learning throughout the process. The project itself will be strengthened by this interaction. It will also provide opportunities for everyone to grow--not just me! So, my first question is asking how do I find participants for this journey. I already know that isolation and lack of connection is a problem. My next step will assist me in identifying staff who would be open to finding ways to address this problem. While I will provide some ideas of how we can do this, all those involved will collaborate to share other ideas or possibilities. This will provide all of us with a common ground and passion for our quest. Although I know that I must allow things to evolve on their own, it is hard to not push for ways and things that I might want to happen. This will be my challenge--to remain open and non-controlling to allow the evolution that will be necessary to truly create a community of practice. I look forward to the unknown element in this approach---where will we end up? What if I can't find willing participants? Perhaps then my questions isn't really as much of a concern to our staff as has been voiced.
After identifying participants, my next step will be to introduce a tool that will allow all of us to span the distance and isolation to connect to each other. Willing participants will meet face-to-face. I will introduce Tapped In to the members and provide practice in navigating and participating virtually. I suspect that this may take more than one session. I am currently trying to decide whether I should go with two smaller introductory segments or one longer one? Will I need even more than this? How large will the group be? Perhaps I should create smaller groups and do multiple introductions. The smaller groups in effect would create learning circles and this might be a way to "bind" together members into smaller groups and the build toward binding the smaller groups into a larger group? This sounds like a possible cycle question at some point in time.
I find myself moving too far ahead of where I am. There are lots of ideas in my head for new directions once this is launched. This is a danger. I think it's important for me to stay the course and focus on the current state and allow the project to evolve and the participants to help shape our direction. One way that will help me with this challenge is to record my ideas down somewhere for future use. This way I know that my ideas are there if we go in that direction, but I don't necessarily have to worry that they will be lost if we go in another direction. I am very excited about not "DIRECTING" the journey, but I do know that it will be a challenge for me not to do so.