Areol 14 evaluation comments   The following evaluation comments were provided by participants in the 14th program of areol: "action research and evaluation on line".  For details see http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm/ar/areol/areolhome.html

Q.1: When you think about areol 14, what three adjectives (at least one favourable, at least one unfavourable) come to mind?   4 people responded with diverse (one added "range", another "a range of different ideas from diverse backgrounds readily available   3 each with ... interesting (one added "range of sessions") challenging (one said "work load", another said "a new way of learning")   2 each with stimulating (one added "because it brings in the perspectives of a broad range of learners engaged in learning about PAR in diverse contexts") informative   and one each for the following ... academic jargon contact contemplative convenient counter-normative (with respect to other subjects in the degree) [from a person enrolled in areol for university credit] defensive (the participants, not the leader) disjointed down to earth easy to use and read ("encouraging" vs.  "stifling" - to different people) enjoyable enriching exciting extending frustrating generous I do not have anything negative to say except that this course developed a tension within me - a feeling that I was running behind a train that carried a lot of promise for me to move closer to my challenge of being an effective action researcher international invaluable Learn Learn Learn not imaginative enough overwhelming reading refreshing because it challenges the perspectives of participants and forces you to fine tune and reflect on your values as well as your knowledge relevant 'superfluous' stuff for teachers - better for 'outsiders' thought provoking time-consuming uncertainty about how to be involved undirected - not sufficient input from you Bob to keep direction going in the way of treating AR as an project design/implementation methodology rather than a means of expressing a world view or 'political' philosophy.  For me, not enough rigour in the process.  I will obviously change my view somewhat as I continue to look at and absorb the material over the next year but certainly not in the immediate short term of this 14 weeks. unrelatable useful well structured wide-ranging __________   Q.2: What one or two things did you like most about areol 14, for whatever reason?   Action research notes As noted in Q.I enjoyed the diversity of input. Being new to the process, I enjoyed researching the process, the background and practical applications that have used AR [a person enrolled in areol for university credit] Easy to read I also appreciated the opportunity for detailed feedback on assignments [from a person enrolled for university credit] I also liked the self-paced nature of the course.  This allowed me to structure my work in a way that best enabled me to achieve all of my goals for the year (including goals outside of the subject and outside of uni) * I enjoyed reading the diverse use of AR within the groups I personally found the discussion interesting (most of the time!) Interesting discussions [2 people mentioned this] Introduction to new ideas and ways of thinking Most I liked the connection with other practioners through the discussion list: talking about what were important issues for all of us when doing action research Pip provided excellent assistance and motivation to contribute and learn Practical nature to it Secondly (funny that it's no the primary reason) I enjoyed learning more about the practice of action research (funny, as that was the reason I did the course) Some of the discussion The ability to have my students access it as an alternative to our 'taught' course when I couldn't get them all together at the same time The cartoons provided by Michael The content of the program was also interesting and helped to broaden my understanding (I hope) of action research practice The ease of access and the diversity of participants The extra personal bits that some contributed, eg.  Michael Ericson's cartoons; various useful references the fact that it came to you and you didn't have to make the effort to go to it The humour The learning.  I read the postings, I highlighted key points and I have created an AREOL file to use as a reference The opposition to measurable indicators The richness of the participants experiences, activities and their willingness to share their thoughts, feelings and ideas "The search for disconfirming evidence" Well, the content of the course was extremely helpful for my current/future aspirations What I liked most was the opportunity to learn a little more about the roles people hold and how they use action research in these roles __________   Q.3: What one or two things did you like least about areol 14, for whatever reason? But, I also think that once you begin to take an assignment seriously, you end up putting in the work no matter how long the end product is.  Because of this, I think that four short assignments will almost always result in a lot more work than two longer assignments - and it did [from someone enrolled in areol for university credit] Emphasis on evaluation seemed a bit unbalanced to me. I found at times the group got a little of course with their response to trigger questions, however, I found them intriguing I found I could not contribute as much as I would have liked to within both the discussion group and the individual group.  This was due to my lack of knowledge and experience within a group of working practitioners * I found the assessment load heavy.  I think that I almost did enough assessment to warrant 20 credit points In part, this was because I wrote more than the suggested word length for each paper.  This was my choice [from a person enrolled in areol for university credit] I got behind at times with work commitments and life stepping in.  And once I got a bit behind I found it a little difficult to catch up.  At the end of the course I actually moved countries and didn't have time to respond to the modules or postings.  It was still very valuable though, and as long as you aren't involved in the discussion group I guess you can self-pace (but for me the discussion group was the best part).  It was a case of time management, but you can't predict what will be important for you and what extra stuff will happen in your life when you take on the commitment of a course. My inability to fully participate and to read/respond to comments in a timely and valid manner (my fault - nothing to do with the organisation or delivery of the program) My own inability to keep up Non-participation on the list (though I have been part of this group in latter stages).  I think the regular contributors were very learned and may have been off-putting for those less so.  Everybody needs to be encouraged to contribute - this is the best way to get value out of the course.  All thoughts are valuable and can trigger further ideas Not a lot of input from most of the students Not relatable to the novice -especially the jargon Nothing - enjoyed it all Nothing comes to mind 'Outsider' approach to action research Spending a lot of time initially responding to the learning group and then nothing happening, not having time to make it The insistence on "objective reality" "outside" the individual - which may be okay for physical reality, but is dangerous in the social reality in which EVERY member takes part in its "construction" The lack of sighting body language.  It allows for the gross effects of some cultural inhibitors to have an exaggerated effect that takes an enormous time and effort to address.  If we could 'see' each other we could the immediate recovery bit.  You've almost got to have a degree in cultural studies just to undertake the program.  This is a big 'say' from me because I have been teaching cross-cultural programs successfully for years. The tendency of some participants to carry on discussions a little long (but recognize it as an improvement over my my own failure of involvement) There was not structures approach to developing learning about AR.  This was quite out of control Too diverse Too much reading What I least liked was the lack of personal contact and the opportunities this offers for a longer exploration of some themes and the development of deeper relationships with people.  At times writing on the list felt like a dump into a big black hole __________   Q.4: What one or two changes or additions to areol 14 would most have helped your learning and/or satisfaction? being able to focus in on the discussion on your particular area of interest Case studies from a variety of areas (e.g.  teaching, agriculture, nursing etc) Design and presentation has been excellent.  Ways to combat the above [i.e.  lack of participation] For myself I would like to improve my skills in on line communication, which I think would help me gain more from this type of program Greater input from you I also would have personally liked a photograph of you as well as the participants.  In a sense the dialogue was all the more challenging when you have one less variable - that of a visual, and that you are forced to respond only to the written word rather than any personal perception of the person.  But for a person like me who has not really shared much of my own processes I do feel a bit like a voyeur at the end of it all.  I would like to respond on a one to one basis in a more focussed manner with a few of the participants and wonder whether I would be intruding considering that the course is really over. I can't think of anything: it was great I suspect the skills and interests of the participants alters the experience of this program and as such I wouldn't change the program at all.  I think the program is fine, it is what the participants do with it that effects individual or group learning I think you need to stream the participants.  Those of us who are new to AR got overwhelmed by the 'expert' with PhD's etc.  The programme is really just a forum for expressing ideas. I would find it useful to also admit the search for appropriate indicators for measuring success in the evaluation section: success as approaching the goals previously agreed on and using "indicators" and "methods" also previously agreed on (among "stakeholders" of the activity or programme or organisation concerned).  First agree on "how" to measure success and then do it. I would have ensured that I received the emails on a computer that I could access & download on a Friday - as oppossed to my poor choice.  I would have also given more dedicated time to the converstations and made sure that I contributed to them I would have liked to have been prepared for the number of responses that participants are contibuting to this discussion list.  I do feel that there should perhaps be a ceiling on the number of participants.  This may be something which would perhaps reduce the number of people who actually will participate regularly, but for many people this process of reading so many postings may be a little daunting. I would like to see a section on Appreciative Inquiry If I had have made the time to participate in the discussion lists, I have little doubt that my learning would have benefited More discussion of our own research More structure (there's the behaviourist again) Nothing comes to mind Possibly being placed within a group at my own level of understanding relating to my field of architectural education, definitions of jargon would help Unsure if any - perhaps more practical detail on the processes I was interested in and/or more on examples of processes in action __________   Q.5: What advice at the beginning of areol 14 would have helped you to gain more learning and enjoyment from the program.  (Your suggestions will be conveyed to the participants in areol 15.) But then I had to fill in some last minute teaching gaps and found myself overwhelmed and unable to even keep up with the research that motivated me to join the group in the first place.  I did read the material and plan to return to it after the semester is over, but didn't often feel strongly enough impelled to respond.  When I did make an effort though I did not feel that I was reaching the group in any way, despite your reassurance that I was coming through Don't freek out at the volume of emails that there are to read Don't join in late Don't take it on unless you have the time to interact properly....  sorry I developed rsi just trying to do my online teaching..  it became all too much Ensure that you are in the appropriate learning group, one that is at your level of AR understanding and experience.  I found the discussions and the wealth of knowledge truely amazing, however, my lack of knowledge and experience within the social science discipline made it difficult to enter discussions in relation to AR trigger questions.  However, in saying this, once in a more comfortable group don't hold back.  Participate and learn through the interaction of knowledge and experiences "Feel free to think beyond the tools suggested - if you can" Get involved with the discussion groups from the very beginning as that will shape the course of the dialogue Have a say Helping students to understand that the heavy volume of 'stuff' in the first two or three weeks won't continue - some of my students felt panicky! I can't think of any advice that wasn't given that could have been included.  For me, the advice and guidance at the beginning was fine, it was the experience of engaging in an on line program that led to the learning. I can't think of anything.  Everything is there.  It's really up to the individual I'm not sure.  I thought the advice offered, especially warnings about the amount of work involved, were very pertinent and appropriate.  I am usually both very involved person and a quick study so I wasn't concerned despite warnings Participate Put aside time each week to stay up to date.  You decide whether or not to comment.  Learning can be achieved by reading postings Stay on top of the conversations and make the time to keep in touch That the process will be quite 'freewheeling' and disconcerting, that there are a lot of strongly-opinionated people out there (including me, but don't put my name on the bottom line of that statement) and that if you want to be heard you are going to have to get a nose of brass and hide to match and speak out or shut up and suffer (I am thinking of Pip's students here who got verbally 'flogged' for their temerity :-)) ). The amount you put into the course is related to how much you will get out of it.  But I think you did say that Bob, and it's the way with everything, so I don't know that it has to be said There is just too much information coming at the start.  This needs to be more structured and ease people into it gradually __________   Q.6: What else would you like to say? Bob, thanks again for everything this year.  I have been in charge of my own learning this year, and have benefited like never before [from someone enrolled in areol for university credit] Continuing from above, that my workload and online teaching was overwhelming in itself, I could not focus properly and be a genuine participatory member I did enjoy the experience I enjoyed the fact that I could be a silent reader.  If I were to particiapate again, I would contribute more to the discussion.  Nonetheless, I enjoyed and learnt from the reading I found the program terrific.  The conversations were varied, drew from an amazing cross section of participants and they demonstrated the immense value of the application of action research.  I regret my lack of participation and my by-stander role.  However, I think that I would join in with another program - more so to read the conversations and sharing from the participants I have not taken anything that you have said this year as fact/truth, without thinking about it myself (within reason, of course).  In the vast majority of cases, I found that I did agree with the particular opinion/model/theory/viewpoint that you were putting forward as a viable option.  And I reckon I know the reason.  From what I can gather, you think deeply and critically about opinions and offer them as just that - opinions.  You appear to adopt beliefs based on an examination of the evidence in front of you, rather than on the current trends in academia.  On top of that, you critically reflect on your work in a way that is designed to refine and improve your ideas.  In my opinion, this puts you in the position of having opinions/models/theories/ viewpoints that are more "factual" than most.  And, your students benefit greatly from this.  You have quickened my learning.  [from someone enrolled in areol for university credit] I would like to participate again within AR at a latter date after I've been out in the field for a while so to speak, and could contribute constructively in trigger question discussions by my increased understanding and appreciation of human behaviour Looking forward to AREOL 15 so that I can start to speak with some little more certainty on the method. Really enjoyed your personal introduction to the course - this was the most useful in helping me whether to decide on undertaking the course. Thank you for this resource. Thank you very much for this course: precisely its structure helped me think more about individual steps which others might try out in order to gain additional experience - rather than the individual capacity to make steps on one's own.  So the main learning effect is: a balance is needed between these two approaches. Thanks for a very interesting course.  I would like to do it again - perhaps I'm more prepared now for it Thanks for providing this opportunity and the words of wisdom you conveyed along the way.  I am very grateful to SCU for opening up such a wonderful program to so many people.  Good luck with your future plans, Thanks so much, Bob.  What an incredibly fabulous service you are providing! I've learnt a lot and will now work through the lessons I have missed.  Good luck with further Areols That I appreciate having had the opportunity to join the group and to participate (however passively) and that I admire your (Bob Dick's) ability to comment regularly and with enormous openness and supportiveness, despite what must be a great workload, given the obvious demands of this one class.  This has been my first experience with an entirely web based class and I am impressed with how much can be accomplished, even with just an e-mail focus.  Best wishes to your future groups That I greatly appreciate Bob's free offering of this course, and his dedication to furthering the cause of action research You did a great job.  Thank you so much for offering this course: I learnt a lot and it was brilliant.  I wish I had been able to keep up all the time Posted by Bob Dick, 20011201