 |
Andy Roberts' final year |
action research project |
BA (hons) learning technology research: (Information Technology) |
|
Link to identical Research Proposal formatted as an online webpage with working links (.html)
Contents / sitemap |
|
| Links to sections within this document | Links to other documents included as part of the report |
| Introduction and learning outcomes | |
| Learning Activity 1 | RAP-LA1.html |
| Learning Activity 2 | RAP-LA2.html |
| Learning Activity 3 | RAP-LA3.html The Research Proposal |
| Learning Activity 4 | |
| Learning Activity 5 | |
| Online conversations | |
| Appendix | |
During this module I plan four modules of level 3 year work. This involves reviewing both changes in the work role, and that which I have learned from study. I then identify a focus for my action enquiry and create a research proposal and a plan. This builds upon my level 2 studies and also fits in with my changing work context plans.
The learning outcomes for the module are:
1. Analyse and critically evaluate prior learning related to current workplace
requirements.
2. Identify a research focus and develop a research proposal addressing complex
issues in the workplace.
3. Plan learning activities and an investigation towards an exhibition of research
findings
4. Critically evaluate the planning process for the exhibition.
Extended Learning Outcomes:
5. Explore the research ideas and methodologies with
close peers in a private self-selected Learning Set.
6. Select and install appropriate tools in preparation for year 3.
Activity 1 Review key learning from year1 and 2 looking specifically at the Investigating the Work Setting Modules, the Action Enquiry Modules, my PDP and any other relevant areas. Identify the issues I want to research further.
Through justifying my chosen degree title suffix and reviewing the workplace learning modules I identified some key areas:-
* Researching internet communities and Communities of Practice
* The use of blogs, RSS and wikis.
* Installation of software onto a remote server for hosting my own web services
* The idea of Distributed Action Research is an area which I would like to investigate further.
Early in year 2 I became registered as self-employed and redefined my workplace context to include the activities I undertake in the development of my own business as a freelance IT professional.
Activity 2 Review changes in relevant workplace competencies, standards and expectations since beginning the course. Identify what I need to know now.
* The research degree had had a negative effect on my original workplace context and vice versa.
* With the changes and trends occurring in education, the prospects for an ICT technician in a school are getting worse.
* I need to keep up to date with some of the newest generation of internet tools and technologies, continue to explore opportunities outside of the education sector, and improve business skills, communications and organisation.
The supplied research proposal template is adapted to include an additional emphasis on the technology, in line with my desired degree title suffix ( IT) under an expanded resources section. This also perhaps compensates for having smaller data collection and analysis and ethical considerations sections due to the emergent nature of the plan and a difference between doing online and offline research respectively.
Link to identical Research Proposal online with working links (.html)
Activity 4 Negotiate any permissions and access for workplace action inquiry and exhibition.
* This is covered in the Research Proposal itself rather than as a separate learning activity.
* I don't need to negotiate any permissions for my choice of AE and exhibition.
Activity 5-1. Identify what you have learnt from the review and planning
process
.
* What I was asked to do according to the module guidelines.
Review prior learning and requirements, identify a research focus, develop a proposal and agree it. Take part in peer review in a learning set.
* What really happened.
The urgent requirement for an "A4" precis of a research idea was suddenly thrown in right at the beginning of term so that the process of deciding what to research had to be gone through after a decision had already been made. Then by the time I received feedback on the initial dead, it was already too late in practice to change it, even if it wasn't approved . The process seemed backwards and unhelpful, getting me off to a bad start unnecessarily. Fortunately I had a strong enough idea to be able to withstand the disorientation, although the time lost will probably never be made up.
* What, if anything, have I learned from the process.
Theory: In order to defend my choice of research topic and methods, I had to learn more about what is considered to be action research and what isn't.
Technology: I learned how to draw a flowchart using scalable vector graphics, how to install multiple blog software on a remote host.
Management: I learned how to make a medium term plan with deadlines, identify critical paths within the plan and appreciate the implications of delays in one process for other parts of the plan.
In my research plan I attempted to work through the seemingly paradoxical task of planning for the unpredictable by building in provision for emergent directions. So I learned not to be perplexed by the discovery of a dilemma, and even to welcome such. There is even a form of data analysis called 'dilemma analysis' a term coined by Richard Winter (1 982) and a technique which is particularly useful with interview transcripts and so may be deployed later.
I also discovered that the early part of the calendar, particularly leading up to December 9th is so tightly packed with tasks and deadlines that there is no room for slippage so I will need to make a superhuman effort to make sure the difficult milestones I've set myself are reached on time.
I am now reasonably happy with my research plan feeling it maintains the right balance between laying out an understandable path as a guide to the next few months' activities and allowing enough flexibility to be able to cope with what is an ambitious and somewhat risky undertaking. During the period of developing the proposal, the ideas have become more clearly defined in my mind, with the parallel activity of conducting two cycles of research leading up to a pilot exhibition also contributing to increase my own confidence in the plan, making it seem more realistic, attainable and explainable.
Because of the pressure caused by the packing of multiple requirements into a short timeframe, I allocated less time to read and peer review others work than desirable. I felt that others in the same situation had tried nonetheless to fulfil a commitment, but that under such conditions the value of the peer review process is limited. I hope this will improve over the remainder of the course after the initial hectic rush of learning, activity and deadlines is over, although the learning set would need to find a way of dealing with the experience of being given "set conversations" which somewhat accords with Downes (2005)
"For the most part, though, what constituted "community" in online learning were artificial and often contrived "discussions" supported by learning management systems [15]."
who goes on to advocate more open and informal communication channels.
"..something different happening when they began to use tools like wikis and blogs in the classroom a couple of years ago. All of a sudden, instead of discussing pre-assigned topics with their classmates, students found themselves discussing a wide range of topics with peers worldwide."
Where the learning set and private group have proved more appropriate than the review of draft work and set conversations in my opinion, lies in the more open discussions where individuals are struggling with possibilities for a future course of action or decision. I helped Eve Thirkle (appendix 2) to see a way in which it would be possible to publish anonymous web pages but it was only possible for me to do this after first asking for clarification as to the requirements. A more extended question and answer session such as this is often necessary in online communications where unconsciously ambiguous questions and overly brief answers can often lead to confused understanding or even giving up on that line of questioning due to mistaken assumptions about what the questioner requires.
As somebody with some experience of video making, I was able to forewarn Sarah Hackett (appendix 3) about the disproportionate time which the post-production processes can take up.
In turn I was able to gain from discussing Linda Hartley's proposal (appendix 4) to employ a grounded theory coding analysis on only 4 data sheets. Her subsequent findings that the process was a useful one will now inform the planning of data analysis in my own project, a technique which I probably would not have considered employing otherwise.
The private learning group was used advantageously to sound out my early ideas for the best domain name to register for the distributed action research project, out of those which I had originally brainstormed and were actually available. I was then happy to act on the advice received with a little more confidence than if I had just used my own discretion.(appendix 5).
References
Downes, S. (2005). e-learning 2.0. Available: http://elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=articles&article=29-1. Last accessed 28 Nov 2005
Winter, R (1982) "Dilemma Analysis": A contribution to methodology for action research, Cambridge Journal of Education, 12, 3: 161-74
Private learning Set Conversations not available
Thursday, October 13, 2005 11:38:57 am
The Beehive
From: Eve Thirkle
Subject: Audience - from AR2
To: Beehive
Eve Thirkle on Sunday, October 9, 2005 at 5:28 pm +0000 wrote:
and an online exhibition for my online contacts.
That is one thing I can do but I need to sit and chew over the ethics - if I
do this via FC then my surname appears on the web pages and J can easily be identified
by anyone- I can't use the AE tool as they would need a password to access my
work - or would they? Can I publish the findings to the web from there without
revealing my identity to the whole of the web?
Eve
---------------
Thursday, October 13, 2005 11:55:48 am
The Beehive
From: Andy Roberts
Subject: Re: Audience - from AR2
To: The Beehive
Eve Thirkle on Thursday, October 13, 2005 at 11:38 am +0000 wrote:
That is one thing I can do but I need to sit and chew over the ethics - if
I do this via FC then my surname appears on the web pages and J can easily
be identified by anyone- I can't use the AE tool as they would need a password
to access my work - or would they? Can I publish the findings to the web from
there without revealing my identity to the whole of the web?
I'm sure there's a way, but I'm not clear what you want to do.
Is it
publish completely anonymously to the web?
publish via the web but only to a restricted audience?
Andy R
---------------
Thursday, October 13, 2005 11:59:17 am
The Beehive
From: Eve Thirkle
Subject: Re(2): Audience - from AR2
To: The Beehive
Andy Roberts on Thursday, October 13, 2005 at 11:55 am +0000 wrote:
I'm sure there's a way, but I'm not clear what you want to do.
Is it
publish completely anonymously to the web?
publish via the web but only to a restricted audience?
Either would do
Eve
---------------
Friday, October 14, 2005 9:50:32 am
The Beehive
From: Andy Roberts
Subject: Re(3): Audience - from AR2
To: The Beehive
Eve Thirkle on Thursday, October 13, 2005 at 11:59 am +0000 wrote:
publish completely anonymously to the web?
publish via the web but only to a restricted audience?
Either would do
Ok, here's one way...
Ask Greta to set you up an additional FirstClass account with an anonymous
name. Then you can upload all your exhibition content onto that users homepage
and use it as a website which isn;t directly attributable to yourself, although
it will still be identifiable as something to do with Ultraversity but that's
probably OK.
Then set up a new blogdrive or Blogger blog with an anonymous name, (perhaps
the same name as the FC user) and then you can use the blog to guide people
around the exhibition and ask for feedback in the comments.
How you are going to publicise the anonymous blog without linking it to yourself
though, is another question.
Andy R ---------------
Friday, October 14, 2005 5:42:18 pm
The Beehive
From: Eve Thirkle
Subject: Re(4): Audience - from AR2
To: The Beehive
Andy Roberts on Friday, October 14, 2005 at 9:50 am +0000 wrote:
Ok, here's one way...
Ask Greta to set you up an additional FirstClass account with an anonymous
name. Then you can upload all your exhibition content onto that users homepage
and use it as a website which isn;t directly attributable to yourself, although
it will still be identifiable as something to do with Ultraversity but that's
probably OK.
Yes - that seems a good idea
Then set up a new blogdrive or Blogger blog with an anonymous name, (perhaps
the same name as the FC user) probably best to do this first - less choice
of names - then sort the name out with UVand then you can use the blog to guide
people around the exhibition and ask for feedback in the comments.
Yes - that should work...
How you are going to publicise the anonymous blog without linking it to yourself
though, is another question.
Probably ok in the closed communities I belong to ... need to have a think.
Thanks for the input
Eve
Friday, October 28, 2005 12:58:34 pm
AR2 Learning Set
From: Sarah Hackett
Subject: SH-First draft proposal
To: AR2 Learning Set
Please click here for mine. http://firstclass.ultraversity.net/~Sarah%20Hackett/proposal_unh2601/
Thanks
Sarah
---------------
Friday, October 28, 2005 1:44:45 pm
AR2 Learning Set
From: Andy Roberts
Subject: Re: SH-First draft proposal
To: AR2 Learning Set
Sarah Hackett on Friday, October 28, 2005 at 12:58 pm +0000 wrote:
Please click here for mine. http://firstclass.ultraversity.net/~Sarah%20Hackett/proposal_unh2601/
Well it looks to me as if you have got it reasonably well thought out already,
Sarah and it's a very interesting project, which combines two elements close
to my own passions - music and video making!
Learn how to use a video camera and associated equipment.
Practice making videos.
Plan the videos that need to be made.
Start making videos.
Wonderful, you'll enjoy this and learn a lot, although I think you will find
it very frustrating at times also.
I have some experience of digital video making (including music) using various
systems but not Windows Movie Maker, however it is still probably a given that
you need to allow an enormous amount of time for the post-production side of
things.
Video capture,
video editing
sound editing
re-rendering
export and compression
playback and review
can each take many times longer than the planning and shooting of the video
itself.
So my advice would be to get on with making the first video really soon, keep
it very short and simple, go through all of the stages needed to get it onto
your website, test it with somebody online and document every single step of
the process all the way through. Then when you know you can do it, and how
long it takes, reduce the number of finished videos you intend to produce accordingly.
The presentation of your proposal is an excellent example of clarity in my
opinion. Which sections do you think you might refine a bit more between now
and Novenber 28th?
One more thing: use a good tripod.
HTH
Andy R
---------------
Friday, October 28, 2005 2:03:28 pm
AR2 Learning Set
From: Sarah Hackett
Subject: Re(2): SH-First draft proposal
To: AR2 Learning Set
Andy Roberts on 28 October 2005 at 13:44 +0000 wrote:
Sarah Hackett on Friday, October 28, 2005 at 12:58 pm +0000 wrote:
Please click here for mine. http://firstclass.ultraversity.net/~Sarah%20Hackett/proposal_unh2601/
Well it looks to me as if you have got it reasonably well thought out already,
Sarah and it's a very interesting project, which combines two elements close
to my own passions - music and video making! Might call on your skills later
then!
Learn how to use a video camera and associated equipment.
Practice making videos.
Plan the videos that need to be made.
Start making videos.
Are these your thoughts of the possible cycles?
Wonderful, you'll enjoy this and learn a lot, although I think you will find
it very frustrating at times also.
I have some experience of digital video making (including music) using various
systems but not Windows Movie Maker, however it is still probably a given that
you need to allow an enormous amount of time for the post-production side of
things.
Video capture,
video editing
sound editing
re-rendering Don't know what this is.
export and compression
playback and review
can each take many times longer than the planning and shooting of the video
itself.
Yes my limited experience so far has made me reach this conclusion.
So my advice would be to get on with making the first video really soon, keep
it very short and simple, go through all of the stages needed to get it onto
your website, test it with somebody online and document every single step of
the process all the way through. Thanks for stressing this.Then when you know
you can do it, and how long it takes, reduce the number of finished videos
you intend to produce accordingly.
I've got this Sunday when the builders are not drilling to start. I've done
a plan of the videos needed. Had my hair cut. Just need to wash and blow dry
in order to look presentable.
The presentation of your proposal is an excellent example of clarity in my
opinion. Which sections do you think you might refine a bit more between now
and Novenber 28th?
One more thing: use a good tripod. My husband has just bought a Jessops TP327
for his company as well as a table top tripod. Hope these will be sufficient.
HTH what does this mean?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Sarah
---------------
Friday, October 28, 2005 2:19:27 pm
AR2 Learning Set
From: Andy Roberts
Subject: Re(3): SH-First draft proposal
To: AR2 Learning Set
Sarah Hackett on Friday, October 28, 2005 at 2:03 pm +0000 wrote:
Learn how to use a video camera and associated equipment.
Practice making videos.
Plan the videos that need to be made.
Start making videos.
Are these your thoughts of the possible cycles?
No, they are extracted from your Timetable in order to provide context.
re-rendering Don't know what this is.
When you make edits to the video, like changing the length of cuts, adding
transitions or effects then it can take a long time for the computer to apply
these changes to the working version so that you can play them back to see
if you like the changes - and then undo them again. It's less of a problem
with the most modern computers which have faster processors and some editing
software can do all the rendering on the fly.
It could be that your videos will be simple one-shot takes and thus the need
for editing will be minimal - ie just trim the beginning and end? HTH what
does this mean? Hope This Helps.
Andy R
---------------
Friday, October 28, 2005 2:49:59 pm
AR2 Learning Set
From: Sarah Hackett
Subject: Re(4): SH-First draft proposal
To: AR2 Learning Set
Andy Roberts on 28 October 2005 at 14:19 +0000 wrote:
Sarah Hackett on Friday, October 28, 2005 at 2:03 pm +0000 wrote:re-rendering Don't know what this is.
When you make edits to the video, like changing the length of cuts, adding
transitions or effects then it can take a long time for the computer to apply
these changes to the working version so that you can play them back to see
if you like the changes - and then undo them again. It's less of a problem
with the most modern computers which have faster processors and some editing
software can do all the rendering on the fly. Thanks for the explanation.
It could be that your videos will be simple one-shot takes and thus the need
for editing will be minimal - ie just trim the beginning and end? This is what
I am sincerely hoping will be the case. HTH what does this mean? Hope
This Helps. YTHA (Yes this helps alot)Sarah
Saturday, November 19, 2005 10:45:44 am
AR2 Learning Set
From: Linda Hartley
Subject: Re(3): pilot exhibition
To: AR2 Learning Set
Anthony Russell on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 at 2:12 pm +0000 wrote:
Pilot Exhibition
The main point is to trial one data collection method
OK - so I trialed the use of log sheets and I now have 4 filled in log sheets.
You look at what you got from the method
Here's my question: do I need to apply a formal method of data analysis to the
data I have collected?
I was about to embark on coding the data as in grounded theory, when I began
to question what exactly I might add to my learning by doing this. Perhaps I'm
just adding a layer of complexity. All that applying this analysis might do is
prove that I read the books and know how to use it. What do you think?
Linda Hartley (Cohort 1)
(Please contact before quoting anything I've written in my Learning Set, AR2)
---------------
Saturday, November 19, 2005 11:15:04 am
AR2 Learning Set
From: Andy Roberts
Subject: Re(4): pilot exhibition
To: AR2 Learning Set
Linda Hartley on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 10:45 am +0000 wrote:
Anthony Russell on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 at 2:12 pm +0000 wrote:
Pilot Exhibition
The main point is to trial one data collection method
OK - so I trialed the use of log sheets and I now have 4 filled in log sheets.
You look at what you got from the method
Here's my question: do I need to apply a formal method of data analysis to
the data I have collected?
I was about to embark on coding the data as in grounded theory, when I began
to question what exactly I might add to my learning by doing this. Perhaps
I'm just adding a layer of complexity. All that applying this analysis might
do is prove that I read the books and know how to use it. What do you think?
As it's the weekend I hope you don't mind if I have a go at this one..
My understanding of the coding analysis part of grounded theory is that its
purpose it to reveal patterns of significance in the data, without starting
from preconceptions about what you are looking for.
I wouldn't have thought that 4 log sheets would be enough of a quantity to
reveal significant patterns, but I might be wrong. I'd be interested to see
what happens if you do, but if it were me I would start by reflecting on what
the log sheets say to me.
Formal analysis might not be possible until you have started on the full blown
research cycles, the pilot is just to trial for example a data collecting method.
Andy R
Coursework: http://www.frankieroberto.com/dad/ultrastudents/andyroberts/
Research Blog: http://distributedresearch.net/blog
DAR wiki: http://distributedresearch.net/wiki
---------------
Saturday, November 19, 2005 11:38:31 am
AR2 Learning Set
From: Linda Hartley
Subject: Re(5): pilot exhibition
To: AR2 Learning Set
Andy Roberts on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 11:15 am +0000 wrote:
As it's the weekend I hope you don't mind if I have a go at this one..
Thanks for this Andy :-)
My understanding of the coding analysis part of grounded theory is that its
purpose it to reveal patterns of significance in the data, without starting
from preconceptions about what you are looking for.
Yep that's the idea. You identify a category by looking at the first phrase
and asking yourself a series of questons about its meaning. You then assign
a code to this category. You then go through the rest of the data looking for
other phrases that also fit this category. When that's saturated (no more to
be found) you go back and identify the next category. This way you should end
up with a series of categories, you can then look at them and note inter-relationships
between them.
I wouldn't have thought that 4 log sheets would be enough of a quantity to
reveal significant patterns,
Yes that was what I was starting to think as I began the process. It seems
rather over the top and out of proportion.
but I might be wrong. I'd be interested to see what happens if you do,
That's part of it I think - I'm questioning if it is just my intelectual curiosity
or the desire to try something new that is leading me here rather than choosing
the most appropriate method.
but if it were me I would start by reflecting on what the log sheets say to
me.
Argh - I suspect you are right. A reflection might well be the best method
to choose. Hmm thinks....
Formal analysis might not be possible until you have started on the full blown
research cycles,
Yep, I may be trying to pilot too much at one go. I could code this data at
some other point - when I'm not trying to finish sorting out my pilot exhibtion
for example!
the pilot is just to trial for example a data collecting method.
Keep reminding me of this please, I seem to be forgetting daily.
OK, going out now to buy large quantiity of cake for Monday and ponder this
further.
At least thinking about this led me to some more reading this morning so Dick,
Robson, Cohen and Manion and McNiff have all been consulted and notes made.
On the whole though Roberts was the most helpful :-)Linda Hartley (Cohort 1)
(Please contact before quoting anything I've written in my Learning Set, AR2)
---------------
Saturday, November 19, 2005 6:10:03 pm
AR2 Learning Set
From: Eve Thirkle
Subject: Re(5): pilot exhibition
To: AR2 Learning Set
Andy Roberts on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 11:15 am +0000 wrote:
the pilot is just to trial for example a data collecting method.
So ... does that also mean that a form of data analysis has to be included
- I'm just thinking - if the trial were a questionnaire and you didn't follow
through with the analysis then you may not show up a design flaw for future
cycles ... all this pilot stuff and trialling data collection is veering to
the positivist view point ... IMO
Eve
[Cohort 1]
The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.
Aristotle
http://firstclass.ultraversity.net/~eve.thirkle/
http://ultrablog.blog.co.uk/main/
http://evet.blogdrive.com
http://www.furl.net/members/EveT
Quoting:
I am quite happy to be quoted and for the quote to be attributed to me from
the general communities.
Please contact me before quoting anything I've written in my Learning Set (AR2)
or in a private communication.
---------------
Saturday, November 19, 2005 6:47:56 pm
AR2 Learning Set
From: Andy Roberts
Subject: Re(6): pilot exhibition
To: AR2 Learning Set
Eve Thirkle on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 6:10 pm +0000 wrote:
Andy Roberts on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 11:15 am +0000 wrote:
the pilot is just to trial for example a data collecting method.
So ... does that also mean that a form of data analysis has to be included
- I'm just thinking - if the trial were a questionnaire and you didn't follow
through with the analysis then you may not show up a design flaw for future
cycles ... all this pilot stuff and trialling data collection is veering to
the positivist view point ... IMO
That's an interesting slant. In my case I have performed two small cycles of
research and provisionally stated the objective of my pilot exhibition as this:
Purpose of Pilot -
To get feedback on the concept, proposal and data collection methods employed
for cycle 1 and 2.
To test the technology and online exhibition technique.
To reach out towards potential collaborators
Andy R
Coursework: http://www.frankieroberto.com/dad/ultrastudents/andyroberts/
Research Blog: http://distributedresearch.net/blog
DAR wiki: http://distributedresearch.net/wiki
---------------
Saturday, November 19, 2005 7:01:38 pm
AR2 Learning Set
From: Linda Hartley
Subject: Re(6): pilot exhibition
To: AR2 Learning Set
Linda Hartley on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 11:38 am +0000 wrote:
but if it were me I would start by reflecting on what the log sheets say to
me.
Argh - I suspect you are right. A reflection might well be the best method
to choose. Hmm thinks
So off I went to buy cake - and think it over.
I decided when I got back to have a go at coding - there's not much data in
4 log sheets and 3 learning journal entries right? Wrong!
Several hours later I have the following categories:
Categories found in the data:
ease of access to sites
quality of links to other sites
simplicity of site
need for explanations
technical issues
problems of design and layout
problem of adverts
positive feelings about ownership of materials
quality of information
inaccuracies and errors
recognition of work involved
positive comments
learning and insights
external distractions
issues of time
Who'd have thought it? Just from 4 simple log sheets. I've learned:
quite a lot about how my participants think and feel about the sites
that this is a valuable technique
that using it with large quantities of data would be very time consuming
And of course this is only part of it, I really ought to relate these categories
to theory as well.
Still that is taking it a bit far for what was basically an initial investigation
- I've got my data analysis started. What I'm going to do now is apply a reflection
technique, I think. The results of that will then form the main thrust of the
pilot on Monday.
Printers and the internet connection not withstanding!
(hmm think I'll back up the html files on cd and take that in with me as well)Linda
Hartley (Cohort 1)
(Please contact before quoting anything I've written in my Learning Set, AR2)
---------------
Saturday, November 19, 2005 7:13:25 pm
AR2 Learning Set
From: Eve Thirkle
Subject: Re(7): pilot exhibition
To: AR2 Learning Set
Andy Roberts on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 11:15 am +0000 wrote:
the pilot is just to trial for example a data collecting method.
Eve Thirkle on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 6:10 pm +0000 wrote:
So ... does that also mean that a form of data analysis has to be included
- I'm just thinking - if the trial were a questionnaire and you didn't follow
through with the analysis then you may not show up a design flaw for future
cycles ... all this pilot stuff and trialling data collection is veering to
the positivist view point ... IMO
Andy Roberts on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 6:47 pm +0000 wrote:
That's an interesting slant. In my case I have performed two small cycles of
research and provisionally stated the objective of my pilot exhibition as this:
Purpose of Pilot -
To get feedback on the concept, proposal and data collection methods employed
for cycle 1 and 2.
To test the technology and online exhibition technique.
To reach out towards potential collaborators
I like the idea of an objective for the pilot ... I must admit that my mind
hasn't turned much to this yet - I'm aiming to finish Module 1 by Friday and
then to concentrate on the pilot etc ... It's hard to get feedback on the data
collection per se without using the data ... hmmm?????
Eve
[Cohort 1]
The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.
Aristotle
http://firstclass.ultraversity.net/~eve.thirkle/
http://ultrablog.blog.co.uk/main/
http://evet.blogdrive.com
http://www.furl.net/members/EveT
Quoting:
I am quite happy to be quoted and for the quote to be attributed to me from
the general communities.
Please contact me before quoting anything I've written in my Learning Set (AR2)
or in a private communication.
---------------
Saturday, November 19, 2005 7:36:46 pm
AR2 Learning Set
From: Andy Roberts
Subject: Re(7): pilot exhibition
To: AR2 Learning Set
Linda Hartley on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 7:01 pm +0000 wrote:
Categories found in the data:
ease of access to sites
quality of links to other sites
simplicity of site
need for explanations
technical issues
problems of design and layout
problem of adverts
positive feelings about ownership of materials
quality of information
inaccuracies and errors
recognition of work involved
positive comments
learning and insights
external distractions
issues of time
Who'd have thought it? Just from 4 simple log sheets.
Wow, who indeed!
Do they need to be sorted into order of frequency of occurance, ie the number
of people who identified each issue, which in this case will be between 1-4
or is it sufficient to identify all the issues and then decide for yourself
which are significant.
I've learned:
quite a lot about how my participants think and feel about the sites
that this is a valuable technique
that using it with large quantities of data would be very time consuming
And of course this is only part of it, I really ought to relate these categories
to theory as well.
Still that is taking it a bit far for what was basically an initial investigation
- I've got my data analysis started. What I'm going to do now is apply a reflection
technique, I think. The results of that will then form the main thrust of the
pilot on Monday.
Printers and the internet connection not withstanding!
(hmm think I'll back up the html files on cd and take that in with me as well)
If there's time, see if you can make sure the whole thing works offline by
testing it with the internet cable unplugged. ( or in the case of wireless,
um, some other way )
Andy R
Coursework: http://www.frankieroberto.com/dad/ultrastudents/andyroberts/
Research Blog: http://distributedresearch.net/blog
DAR wiki: http://distributedresearch.net/wiki
---------------
Saturday, November 19, 2005 9:32:02 pm
AR2 Learning Set
From: Linda Hartley
Subject: Re(8): pilot exhibition
To: AR2 Learning Set
Andy Roberts on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 7:36 pm +0000 wrote:
Do they need to be sorted into order of frequency of occurance, ie the number
of people who identified each issue, which in this case will be between 1-4
I think I can argue it either way. I can justify giving them equal weight as
even one instance highlights a theme for future investigation. I did think
I might try to make a tag cloud to display them and that would show relative
number of instances. Then I decided if I was going to all that trouble I wanted
to be able to use it in my main exhibition!
or is it sufficient to identify all the issues and then decide for yourself
which are significant.
So I'm sticking with a reflection for now, I think. I'll decide in the morning.
Printers and the internet connection not withstanding!
(hmm think I'll back up the html files on cd and take that in with me as well)
If there's time, see if you can make sure the whole thing works offline by
testing it with the internet cable unplugged. ( or in the case of wireless,
um, some other way ) LOL you just turn the airport card off :-)Linda Hartley
(Cohort 1)
(Please contact before quoting anything I've written in my Learning Set, AR2)
---------------
Monday, November 21, 2005 12:17:41 pm
AR2 Learning Set
From: Andy Roberts
Subject: Re(6): pilot exhibition
To: AR2 Learning Set
[..]
Sound advice
I'm glad that you think so too,
but in the event, Linda did well to ignore it and the grounded theory analysis
of 4 log sheets turned out really useful as well as looking good in the slideshow
:-)
Perhaps sometimes, asking questions is more informative than receiving answers.
Andy R
Tuesday, October 11, 2005 2:47:25 pm
The Beehive
From: Andy Roberts
Subject: Any Domain Name ideas?
To: The Beehive
I've been considering a domain name to register for my DAR project, and I'd
like to get the best possible choice for my purposes. Anything like dar.com
darnet.com and even darwiki.com is already taken.
so far the front runner is:
distributedresearch.com
also runs:
distributar.com
distactres.com
My stated requirements are
I need to choose a name which will be sensibly descriptive way into the future,
easy to remember, not too long, unambiguous, distinctive, interesting.
Any comments or suggestions?
Andy R
---------------
Tuesday, October 11, 2005 3:55:11 pm
The Beehive
From: Eve Thirkle
Subject: Re: Any Domain Name ideas?
To: The Beehive
Andy Roberts on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at 2:47 pm +0000 wrote:
I've been considering a domain name to register for my DAR project, and I'd
like to get the best possible choice for my purposes. Anything like dar.com
darnet.com and even darwiki.com is already taken.
so far the front runner is:
distributedresearch.com
... seems that it would be a useful one to remember, as well as descriptive
of what it is about - also doesn't limit you in the future to just action research
also runs:
distributar.com
... sounds like a film company
distactres.com
... distressed actress? LOL!
My stated requirements are
I need to choose a name which will be sensibly descriptive way into the future,
easy to remember, not too long, unambiguous, distinctive, interesting.
Any comments or suggestions?
I would go for the front runner - can't think of anything better other than
'distributedaction'
Eve
---------------
Tuesday, October 11, 2005 4:52:44 pm
The Beehive
From: Anita Bryers
Subject: Re: Any Domain Name ideas?
To: The Beehive
Andy Roberts writes:
I've been considering a domain name to register for my DAR project, and I'd
like to get the best possible choice for my purposes. Anything like dar.com
darnet.com and even darwiki.com is already taken.
What about DART.co.uk?
Best wishes
Anita (C1)