November 14, 2004 - Results
I've complete the survey, created a database for the results, and I can now finally begin to analyze the responses. I was quite nervous about whether or not I would get possible volunteers for my action research. I can breathe a sign of relief, I have 16 responses indicating that they may be interested if given more information regarding commitmen, and I have 6 responses stating that they are definitly interested in participating if the logistics can be worked out. This is better than I expected. In all, I have 22 possibile particpants for my action research. My next task is to find a time to meet. This will most definitely have to occur after Christmas as there just aren't enough Fridays available between now and December 24th to accomplish this feat. I'm finding that while I've always been a long range planner, this job will require extensive long range planning. I only have f2f access to staff on Friday afternoons. However, one Friday each month is reserved for staff meetings. In effect, I have 24 opportunities for meeting and training staff per year! The more I look at the environment and the way that it is structured, the more I'm not happy with it. Given this parameter, I will need to plan at least six months in advance. This will make things very difficult for my Action Research. Of course, if I'm able to get the staff comfortable with the tools that we'll be using, we may be able to meet more frequently.
Since the technology snapshot, I've been contacted by three staff members with ideas and suggestions. Additionally, several staff members have dropped me emails thanking me for taking the time to ask their opinions and provide opportunities to share their concerns. This is a good thing and I feel very excited by it. Just as the staff feel isolated in the field, I feel isolated in the office. The snapshot has provided an opportunity for dialogue with the staff which allows me to share my own thoughts and begin to build trust with the staff.
While thinking about the risk that staff members take in writing comments and expressing their opinions, I realized that it's important that I also reach out and share with them. I've decided to complete the survey also and to publish the results. I will publish my survey when I complete my analysis report from the survey. It is my hope that staff will see some shared concerns, issues, and ideas that we can use to begin to build a working foundation for moving forward.
Personal invitations to all who expressed an interest will be my next step.
Link to Technology Snapshot survey