BM Thinking Out Loud

Our set group is working with the READ Center – a non-profit, adult literacy agency. In addition to the reflective inquiry  that we practice during out set meetings,  we have been involved in doing some research in literature, observing classes taught through the READ Center, observing  tutor training classes, and interviewing learners, teachers and tutors,  as well as the agency director.  Through our reflection and questioning we have considered the presenting problem of learner persistence. We have tried to understand the perspective of everyone involved in the work at the READ Center, as well as to discover our own interpretation.  We have considered the possibility that the reasons commonly identified for inconsistent learner persistence, which usually fall on the learner’s side of the equation, may not offer the complete picture. It may be that part of the problem may be the result of program structure, personnel behavior, curriculum, or any number of other factors which could be within the influence of the program providers. In this way, we are able to reframe the presenting problem.

                I understand that the purpose of this project is to give us the experience of using action learning skills to work on a real problem that is embedded in the work of an organization. I will admit that sticking to the requirement that we only talk in response to questions or to ask questions is very awkward. It does allow us to explore areas that would normally be overlooked, however it also requires us to hold our tongue and not just share every thought that enters our minds. As a group I believe we are trying hard to adjust to this form of thinking and sharing, however it can be frustrating at times.

                In addition, I keep having to fight the feeling (in truth panic) that we are not going to be able to adequately address the problem through this uncomfortable process. I am having to walk in faith at this point and take the word of the Dr. Carter and the author of our books, Michael Marquardt, that this will not only lead to our learning about action learning first hand, but also to some measure of success in solving the problem of the READ Center. Another issue that I struggle with is that I don’t feel that as a set, we are able to spend enough time together asking questions and reflecting on the process. Our busy lives, work schedules and other school related obligations keep us all from being able to spend a great deal of time together. However, I do see in the text that the face to face time requirements suggested in the text are not that great either. We do communicate electronically and use the wiki a great deal in order to keep in touch. However, it still all seems an odd way to work collectively. I am sure that this is the wave of the future given the increasing ‘global and mobile – (‘globility’ If I may) nature of the work world today.

                I think that I could not possibly have a better group of people to work with in this set. We all have different and complimentary talents with which to tackle this issue. Everyone is most cooperative and willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish our goals. If only I had such people in my own department to work with! I am sure this will not only be a great learning experience for us all, but that we will be able to offer the READ Center a few useful suggestions for dealing with the persistence issues they face.

                On that note, I do wonder about how our client, Carol, will respond to our work. She seems to be somewhat skeptical that we will be able to come up with anything that they have not already considered or can afford to implement.  In our first meeting with her she seemed to have a preconceived idea of how we should work, what type of research we should employ, and that the problem is too big for us to really solve at all. I suspect that when we come to that final presentation she will be at least mentally shooting down most of our suggestions. I hope I am wrong, but this is just the impression I get from our conversations with her. We have our mid-point meeting with her this upcoming week and I will be personally interviewing her for her own insights on the persistence issue following that meeting. I hope to get a better understanding of what she is thinking from these meetings. At this point, I am choosing to be positive and hopeful.