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Monday, September 19, 2005
Research books more intersting now
Interestingly, now that I have started to form some ideas of what I would like to look at this year, I am finding the suggested text books, much easier and more interesting to read. Through the Summer they just depressed me and made me think what a huge ammount I had to do, but now I have a bit of an idea what i would like to do, they seem intersting, relevant and supportive, rather than just scary or plain boring!
Although, Eve's suggestion of You and Your Action Research Project (McNiff, Lomax and Whitehead) is infinately more reader friendly and engaging than "The Doorstop".
Posted at 02:18 pm by salena
Ok, I feel like I am making some progress.
I have thought about my meeting with M, gone over the JD for the post again and again, thought about what I think would be important for the post holder to achieve and have started to get an idea for what I would like to focus on for my AE. A key thing for the post holder to do is not only look at engaging with the community, but also to involve the staff and somehow link the information coming from the improved interaction with the customers via the community liasion manager, to the staff and what they are doing on the frontline every day; so that the post holder can bring about real tangible benefits to the customers at a face to face level, not just at a managerial future service provision level.
So the area I would like to look at is how could I (as the Community Liasion Manager) share the information gathered and relationships built as part of the roles key responsibilities, with the frontline staff effectively, as well as promote their involvement in utilising the closer relationships with the community to the benefit of the customers they serve every day?
I have an idea around creating a page on the intranet that all staff can access, keeping them up to date about what is happening, events that I would be attending, asking for volunteers to attend meetings/open days with me that kind of thing. The page would also show the contact details of the local community groups that we have formed a realtionship with, so that they can see what services each group offers, contact names and numbers, so that they can refer customers effectively.
How this would be my AE directly I would need to tighten up. I have ideas around asking staff (and relevant managers) what and how they would like the information to be shared with them. Then using that first cycle of discussion to inform the creation of the page, create the page and then ask for feedback from a selected number of staf/managers on the page once it is created (maybe the same ones spoken to initially)before refining it further based on the staff feedback ending with the official presenting of the site to all staff, perhaps by attending their team briefings to explain to all of them about the point of the pages, demonstrate how to use them etc etc. I have asked the members of my Learning Set what they think about the idea, so I will wait and see what they say.
Posted at 02:14 pm by salena
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
I'm trying hard to get back into it and get started on this year of studies. My work situation is making it difficult to focus on much else but getting, if not the job I want, any job. I am trying to start getting some sort of organisation of my thoughts and plans together to cover any eventuality, although I am tending to focus much more on my prefered eventuality; of getting the consultation post.
Because this job has been created as a result of the work that I have done on changing and improving my departments consultation methods, as part of my AE last year, I am very very keen to get the job so that I can continue full time to focus soley on the consultation work that I have started. I have started to think about what I would like to/need to focus on if I were to get the job and what I could use the required AE to help me achieve. To this end I have read and re-read the job description (which I have had to do when creating my application for the post anyway) to identify key tasks of the post holder and think about what I would do to address them if I am successful. I then went on to arrange a meeting with the person (M) who would be responsible for over seeing the post holder and guiding his or her work in the organisations expeted direction.
Although it is difficult to discuss a role that isn't yet mine, I explained fully to M about where I was at with my degree course, and what I need to do in the third year. The most pressing issue is to sort out a research proposal asap, which is difficult as I won't know if I have got the job until the 1st of October. I explained the difficulty of my situation and that I required his agreement in principleto me continuing with the course as part of my role, and also his specific agreement about the exhibition side of things as well.
He was very supportive and was happy to offer in principle agreement, and we then went on to discuss his and my ideas for the post. He outlined the priorities for the post holder to address and we had a long and fruitful discussion where we mulled over all sorts of possibilities.
So IF I get the post, carrying out an AE and exhibition will not be a problem ( in terms of permission and support) and I have got lots of "food for reflection" about what I would like to do.
I have posted another question in the hotseat about my general ideas and Ken seemed a little more enthusiastic, but I have sent a private message to Stephen outlining my position and asking his opinion/advice/guidance as Ken suggested. I await his reply eagerly (whilst trying to trawl through Real World Research:-)).
Posted at 11:45 pm by salena
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
If I was undertaking a reflection module at the moment, a conversation I had today with my Line manager would be a critical incident. We were chatting generally about issues where one of my peers runs a site in a certain way (quite lax) and how that can make it difficult for other managers (ie me) to come in for a short period of time and enforce the necessary rules, as the staff are used to a different way of doing things so can be quite resistent.
We discucced a specific incident last week where I needed to change the lunch rota to ensure adequate cover and I explained to a member of staff (W) that he would need to go to lunch earlier than originally rotaed. He basically said no, he had been at the same time all week and there had been no cover issues so it wasn't necessary for me to change the rota. It was said in the nicest possible way, and because W has been a pivotal member of staff in some of my issues with my Peers ( I have pulled him up on certain issues and then my peers (with the sole purpose of scoring points off me) have purposely not backed me up, the result of this is that W feels that he is safe from having to do what I request as past experience has shown him that I won't be supported if the issue is taken further), I decided not to force the issue and just rearranged things differently and kept a watchful eye out for the waiting times over the lunch time period.
When I mentioned this to my manager (who is fully aware of the issues in the past with my Peers), she said that I shouldn't have backed down; as a manager I made a necessary change and staff are expected to do as requested (within reasonable limits), and the W should have changed his lunch and not challenged me. I explained that in light of everything that has gone on, I didn't feel it was worth making a big issue out of, but she explained that if the waiting times had gone to pot over the lunch time period, it was me who would have been responsible. She said that regardless of past problems with being undermined by peers, I should have stood my ground. She is aware of everything that has happened in the past, and feels that although I have made the right decision in rising above it, I can't let it affect how I do my job.
At the time I thought that I was doing the right thing (after all of the problems I have had in the past I have decided to not get into petty power struggles with my peers or allow their attitudes to upset me); by making alternate arrangements and letting the matter pass as it wasn't a huge deal, but my line manager made me think that although I made the right decision in not letting the issues with my peers get to me any longer, I can't actively avoid issues where they may still seek to score points off me if what I am doing is the right thing.
This gives the staff members the impression that they are protected from my authority (which to a certain extent has been W's experience), and then I am not doing my job as I should be. Although I am right in not getting into the disputes with my peers, I can't avoid situations where that may be the end result, I need to stand my ground regardless, if I am in the right, and then deal with the fall out later. Although it may well be tough in the short term, I need to not let the possible fall out with my peers and past issues affect the way I carry out my job role if I am to work to the best of my abilities and meet my responsibilities.
I honestly hadn't seen that this was happening (avoiding minor issues to avoid trouble) until our conversation today, or considered the longer term implications. I thought I was taking the higher ground, looks like I was taking the wrong path!
Posted at 10:39 pm by salena
Sunday, July 31, 2005
I met up with my Peer Review Partner today, and it was reallly, really good. It was so nice to talk (literally, not via an email or in the communities) to someone who knows what you are talking about and also has an interest in Learning Outcomes, ILP's, AE's, LF's co-researching etc etc. The fact that she is a lovely person as well makes it even better:-))). Although this online style of learning is the only realistic way I would ever get a degree and I am really enjoying it, the more involved I get in the course, the more I have found that you do miss out without relatively close and trusting relationships with other people to support you through the course who you can chat with, moan with, gossip with and get through the course with ( I try to talk to my partner but his eyes just glaze over :-)).
I know that this supportive role is meant to be the role of the communities, and they are a valuable part of the learning process in this style of learning, however I feel a lot better about going into year 3 now knowing that I do have someone that I can share all of the next year with, who knows what it is all about and can offer useful support and advice and who I feel that I get on with and who's opinion I value. A good day :-)))
Posted at 10:11 pm by salena
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Self Assessment/Self Promotion
Because of the uncertainty at work recently, I have applied for a couple of different jobs which has required me to write statements about my skills and knowledge that would enable me to be good at the job I am applying for. As part of the restructure, I have to write submissions about my abilities for the posts that I would like to be considered for, along very similar lines to the job applications, where I have to demonstrate my skills and experience that would make me suitable for the role.
Although this is different from the self assessment module we had to do, as rather than think and reflect and identify weaknesses for improvement you have to sell yourself, I have found that doing the self assessment module has helped me, as it has given me a greater awareness of my strenghts that I hadn't really appreciated before, I have been able to put in my application in good conscience things that probably before I wouldn't have mentioned as I didn't particularly rate my abilities that highly, but the self assessment module showed me strengths that I didn't think I had.
There is also something similar in the 2 processes in that you have to say what you are good at and prove it, something that before this course I really struggled to do, I didnt rate my abilities that highly in general, but through doing this course, I am gaining a greater respect for myself and my abilities with each module. My personal confidence in my abilities in my current role is growing as I can see tangible evidence of my good practice and abilities in the research work I am doing. My confidence in general is improved by this, and I have more faith in myself to apply for other jobs as I trust in my abilities to meet new challenges now, and be able learn new things and transfer my skills and confidence to other areas.
It is only through reflection and self assessment that I am able to appreciate these strengths and gain a greater respoect for myself, all of this is part of my learning process, not just the modules I produce, but learning about myself and my abilities is all part of the process for me, not something that I expected when I started the course, but definately a good part of the learning experience.
Posted at 11:01 pm by salena
Your birthday on the 18th day of the month suggests than you are one who can work well with a group, but still remain someone who needs to maintain individual identity.
There is a humanistic or philanthropic approach to business circumstances in which you find yourself.
You may have good executive abilities, as you are very much the organizer and administrator.
You are broad-minded, tolerant and generous; a compassionate person that can inspire others with imaginative ideas.
Some of your feelings may be expressed, but even more of them are apt to be repressed.
There is a lot of drama in your personality and in the way you express yourself to others.
Oddly enough, you don't expect as much in return as you give.
Posted at 08:20 am by salena
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Just spent 50 pounds on Amazon, 2 books were for pleasure, recommendations from the sunday papers that I hope to enjoy on the beach if I can get respite from sandcastle building, hole digging and playing in the sea (my children don't yet understand the pleasure of just laying in the sun reading a good book). My son is an excellent reader, he just doesn't yet do it avidly for pleasure, he just finished the first book that I have ever seen him really be unable to put down as he enjoyed it so much (Eragon, all about dragons eggs and quests apparently, the sequel is due out on the 25th of August and we have ordered it already and he plans for us to get to the shop when it opens its doors that day).
The rest of the order was related to the course. Amazon must be doing well out of us distance learners who can't get to academic libraries! I have ordered one on consultation, although it is still only wishful thinking about the job I want, it won't hurt to refresh my knowledge from when I carried out my AE before working on my submission for the jobs in September. I just hope they all arrive before I go on holiday next Friday, I have ordered most of them used to try and save money.
More wishful thinking; I looked at the link about graduation ceremonies at APU. They don't want children under 5 there, but if I do manage to get through the next year and get a degree, I really want both of my children there to share in what will be a momentous day for me, so I will have to ask if 4 and three quarter year olds (what my daughter will be by then) will be allowed. Although she won't really understand, I still want her to be there so that when she gets older she sees that she was part of what I feel will be, in part, a family achievement. I am excited about my son being there, he is that bit older and I want him to see what my many hours on the computer have been towards, I also want him to see that although I haven't taken the traditional route to getting a degree (dropped out of Uni after 2 terms as expecting my son and needed to find somewhere to live and a full time job to support us), it is still something that I want for him and that I am practicing what I am preaching when it comes to the importance of doing your best at school and working hard to achieve things in life.
Posted at 10:27 pm by salena
Monday, July 25, 2005
I have looked at Kens response to my question in the hotseat and looked at the detailed information about the first module. It looks like most of the year (in terms of what I intend to do) needs to be mapped out 3 weeks after the 19th of September. I won't know what my job role will be until 2 weeks after the 19th, leaving me 1 week to map out my plans for the third year which wil be impossible.
I am going to start the reviewing my learning part of the activities, looking at my key learning over the last 2 years and what areas I want/need to learn more about over the third year. Whether I will be able to look at those areas in more detail in the third year will be decided by the restructure, but at least I can identify what I would like to look at. I can look at general changes to workplace competencies, there are a set of managers competencies that have been reviewed and changed since I started this course that ALL managers, regardless of actual job role, are expected to act within at all times, which will enable me to look at what areas of my work so far demonstrates my abilities against those competencies and which areas I need to work on/demonstrate more effectively. When I know what job (if any) I will have I will then be able to link this in with the job description for that post, seeing what areas of the Job description link in with the areas of the managers competencies I have identified that I need to work on.
Through reading over the summer (Real World Research) I will be able to learn what needs to be in a research proposal, along with the template UV have provided so that I will be able to start to piece together a realistic proposal (or 2). Now the tough bit, identify an AE focus and develop a research proposal together with a plan, inclusive of a timetable. Thinking it through I think that after undertaking the other activities, I will need to start writing 2 research proposals, in the briefest way possible, to start organising my plans for the third year for whichever post I get. If I get no job, then I will have all day everyday to work on an alternative plan!
Again permissions and access for my enquiry and exhibition will be difficult to do until I know what job I wil have and who my manager will be, however I will have a chat with MM, who will be quite high up in the overall management structure whatever happens, and explain my prediciment and ask in principle for his permission and support for an exhibition in general terms until I know what my job will be.
So now I have a plan of action, it may be sketchy but at least it is a plan, a way of starting to get from A to B, even if I don't know where B is at the moment.
Posted at 10:40 pm by salena
Sunday, July 24, 2005
So this is what I have been thinking about; Knowing myself as I do, I can't aford to have a 2 month break, I will lose all the momentum that has been built up through this second year of long hours of hard work, and the slow immersion of more and more of myself in this course, if I slow down now, I know that I won't be able to speed up again, if I have to make a choice between spending hours on the computer or collapsing with a good book in the evening after a hectic day of work, the kids and everything that those 2 areas of my life entail, I will choose the book every time, until there is a deadline looming and there is no longer the time to make a choice.
If I can get ahead of myself a bit now, then go on Holiday for 2 weeks, then come back and really start planning year 3 in more detail (after spending the 2 weeks reading real work research and other relevant books to keep all this stuff in my head) then I will feel a little bit more in control when September comes.
The difficulty is I don't know what my job will be in September. There is a chance that I will be doing the current job of my dreams, 100% personal responsibility for managing my work with the sole task of engaging the local community in dialouge to the benefit of my organisation. Although that is an absolutely HUGE task, the possibilities for research will be endless, and as master of my own destiny as the person given the job of doing that in whichever ways I identify the best ways, it will be great in terms of personal mastery and enthusiasm and research opportunities.
Another option will be that I am doing the same job I am doing now, but with slightly different responsibilities. As the job I really want is there, I know that if I don't get it, I will feel a little disheartened and not exactly overflowing with enthusiasm if I am in the same job, however I will get over that as needs must and there will be the opportunity to look at ways of making the new revised staff and managements structures effective however until I get there, so to speak, I won't know what roads my research will need to go down. The third option is that I am made redundant, in which case I will do some action research on the best way to find a job quickly, the job centre versus sending the world and his wife my CV! Seriously, if I am made redundant I WILL NOT let that stop my progress on this degree, I have not got this far to drop out or defer at that late stage. What I do need to do is work out how I can start planning year 3 when I don't know what job I will be doing, I just haven't the time to do research that isn't linked to my workplace in some way, there just aren't enough hours in the day.I have asked a question about this in the Hotseat, I hope that Stephen or Ken or any other researchers can give me some practical advice soon!
Posted at 09:28 pm by salena
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