ASHLEY N. SMITH

May 26, 2010

I. "MY SYNTHESIS PRODUCT SHOWS THAT..."

A. I can convey who I want to influence/affect concerning what (Subject, Audience, Purpose).

I have conveyed who my intended audience is within my synthesis. My intended audience is my marketing team at ICS. Based on my own experiences at work, I felt that some things needed to be developed in order for the team to function better. The subject and purpose of my project was to integrate CCT methods into the Integrated Marketing Procedure. My project also conveys who I want influence and it specifically address the two audiences that it is intended for directly. I believe that through writing this synthesis that I have achieved a way to build a constituency of peers that have similar ideas and concerns as me. This way we can try and move forward with change in our workplace.

Something that I struggled with and need more work on in my synthesis project and in my process as a whole is moving my constituency from being on board to action. There is a grey area that they need to move through to get from one end to another. This is something that I struggled with in my project & it is still something that I am working on. In addition, I need to work further on how to transform the information that I incorporated into my paper and in my workshop in a way that it can be useful to the general public, or others outside my place of work in which this information can be helpful to. I feel the workshop will help to do this, but I don’t think it should be my only outlet.

B. I know what others have done before, either in the form of writing or action, that informs and connects with my project, and I know what others are doing now.

For my synthesis project, I followed many steps initially that I learned from the Action Research course. Because of this, one of the first steps that I did when beginning my synthesis was researching what others have done before me. I gathered background information from many sources that gave me an idea of the works that have already been done. Something that I struggled with was finding a way to make my project unique after finding out what others had done before me. There were many works on organizational change, etc however I brainstormed and made my project a little different using a model as well as incorporating some IMC pieces.

I conducted research on what others have done to raise morale and to make meetings more effective, both inside my company and at other companies. Examples of some things that I touched on within my paper are:
Something that I would like to work further on would be to understand the process of which my company and others incorporated changes. How did they do this? At what pace; in a way that was adjustable for the people who the change was intended for?

C. I have teased out my vision, so as to expand my view of issues associated with the project, expose possible new directions, clarify direction/scope within the larger set of issues, and decide the most important direction.

My synthesis Project shows that I have teased out my vision in many ways. One way it shows this is by illustrating the process of my initial idea of my project. Initially I felt that making a policy book was the best way to get my point across to my audience. Later on down the road after more research and brainstorming I teased out a new idea of creating a model/interactive workshop instead. Something that I struggled with when trying to create a clearer vision was brainstorming on how to affectively convey information to my target audience. The end result was creating a workshop in which they can learn but also take part in activities.

Something that I have achieved related to this goal was to identify the larger issues that are at stake with my team if CCT methods are not incorporated into the IMC procedure. One example that I discussed within my paper was how my team is lacking in productivity without the integration of certain CCT tools such as reflection and evaluation. Without these tools or some type of change, then we all may continue to make the same mistakes during projects. Also we could possibly hinder our opportunity to generate revenue for the company.

D. I have identified the premises and propositions that my project depends on, and can state counter-propositions. I have taken stock of the thinking and research I need to do to counter those counter-propositions or to revise my own propositions.

n/a-I have no comment for this.

E. I have clear objectives with respect to product, both written and practice, and process, including personal development as a reflective practitioner. I have arranged my work in a sequence (with realistic deadlines) to realize these objectives.

I have clear objective of measurement that I used to help me throughout my synthesis process. I also have clear objectives that I will use a measurement of progress and success on whether or not my workshop is effective. I believe that my synthesis shows my personal development as a reflective practitioner by my incorporation of reflective practice as one of the main CCT tools to use when initiating organizational change.

F. I have gained direct information, models, and experience not readily available from other sources.

My project shows that I have gained information from my sources that was not readily in front of me. Some of the examples and information within my project and in my workshop are unique and can be recognized as something in which you have to dig to find. Research enabled me to gain information and experience to present within my paper. Although the information in my synthesis was gained through research, the challenging part is weeding out what to use and what may be “not as important.”

G. I have clarified the overall progression or argument underlying my research and the written reports.

Yes, I have clarified the overall argument in my research. In order to organize my synthesis, it was imperative that I remind myself of the overall idea. The idea was to initiate organizational change in order for the marketing team to function properly and for higher goals to be achieved.

H. My writing and other products Grab the attention of the readers/audience, Orient them, move them along in Steps, so they appreciate the Position I've led them to.

My synthesis is written in a way that is supposed to guide the readers through my personal process, which ends up with the end result of a workshop. I walked through many steps starting from where my ideas derived and evolved over time.

I. I have facilitated new avenues of classroom, workplace, and public participation.

The only way that I have fulfilled facilitating new public participation is by designing an interactive workshop for organizational change, which happens to be a core piece of my project.

J. To feed into my future learning and other work, I have taken stock of what has been working well and what needs changing.

Looking throughout my whole CCT process, I can say that reflective practice & dialogue sessions have been working well for me. These pieces of CCT have helped me tackle many hurdles in my workplace as well as in the process of working on my synthesis. I believe that these two pieces will be something that I continue to apply and use throughout my career and personal life.

I have not yet identified something that needs changing.


II. DEVELOPING AS A REFLECTIVE PRACTITIONER, INCLUDING TAKING INITIATIVE IN AND THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS


1. I have integrated knowledge and perspectives from CCT and other courses into my own inquiry and engagement in social and/or educational change.
Yes, I have integrated knowledge from CCT in many aspects of my life. My synthesis project itself focuses on finding a way to integrate CCT methods into my workplace to increase productivity amongst the marketing team. In my personal life, at social events, etc I use things like reflective practice, humor and more because they became useful things for me.

2. I have also integrated into my own inquiry and engagement the processes, experiences, and struggles of previous courses.

For my synthesis, I touch on my experience as a whole in CCT. I identify what could be done differently, but also I touch on the important elements that help me discover what I wanted to focus on when writing my final paper.

3. I have developed efficient ways to organize my time, research materials, computer access, bibliographies, etc.

Some ways that I organize my time for research, materials, etc is to prepare a schedule/task list of things I would like to accomplish. After doing this, then I go through each task based on what’s priority.

4. I have experimented with new tools and experiences, even if not every one became part of my toolkit as a learner, teacher/facilitator of others, and reflective practitioner.

I have experimented using dialogue processes in my workplace. After doing so, many did suggest we do it again in the near future because they enjoyed it. I believe this process helps people to develop as a practitioner because it helps you to reflect on past experiences; but to also identify future goals, etc

5. I have paid attention to the emotional dimensions of undertaking my own project but have found ways to clear away distractions from other sources (present & past) and not get blocked, turning apparent obstacles into opportunities to move into unfamiliar or uncomfortable territory.

The CCT program for me was not too much of a challenge to find ways to deal with obstacles and undertaking emotions. Again I refer to one of my favorite pieces, dialogue process. The dialogue class had to me one of my most difficult times in which I had to find ways to deal with obstacles and emotions. This class gave me an opportunity to speak up about many issues (whatever the topic was) and to get it out. At first it was hard, and it affected me because it forced me to speak about the most difficult and touchy subjects. After I figured out ways to speak about hard things without being so emotional I was fine. In the beginning I would worry about people judging me and I would cry a lot when people expressed some tough things about themselves. By the end of the semester, I felt like I developed into a stronger person emotionally.

6. I have developed peer and other horizontal relationships. I have sought support and advice from peers, and have given support and advice to them when asked for.

This is something that is unavoidable in CCT. But in a good way of course! In many of the courses the class had to do peer editing and were encouraged to seek advice and support from each other. I think that’s what makes the CCT experience different from traditional learning. I helped proofread and read over many papers and assignments (as my classmates did for me). I think I did this the most in CCT, than out of my whole educational career.

7. I have taken the lead, not dragged my feet, in dialogue with my advisor and other readers. I didn't wait for the them to tell me how to solve an expository problem, what must be read and covered in a literature review, or what was meant by some comment I didn't understand. I didn't put off giving my writing to my advisor and other readers or avoid talking to them because I thought that they didn't see things the same way as I do.

I definitely feel that I have been proactive in the CCT program both with my professors and with my advisor. I try to seek explanations on comments made on assignments and papers. I made sure to attend office hours and phone conferences. Also I tried to be as diligent as possible and not hold off on giving my professors/peers writing. When I look back on my CCT experience, I feel that I’ve done well in this department.

8. I have revised seriously, which involved responding to the comments of others. I came to see this not as bowing down to the views of others, but taking them in and working them into my own reflective inquiry until I could convey more powerfully to others what I'm about (which may have changed as a result of the reflective inquiry).

Revision is also another element in CCT that is unavoidable. Through revisions I’ve learned that once you put your writing aside for a few days and take a fresh look without being defensive, you can see many errors in your writing that you may not have realized the first time. Also revision for me was a way to incorporate fresh ideas, etc. I have also learned to take a look at others views and combine them with my own to make powerful statements.

9. I have inquired and negotiated about formal standards, but gone on to develop and internalize my own criteria for doing work—criteria other than jumping through hoops set by the professor so I get a good grade.

I cannot identify with this as much. I was not in a position in which I had to negotiate much with my professors. However, I did develop my own standards of grading, by which if I did not live up to; then I probably would have contested some things.

10. I have approached the CCT synthesis course and the CCT program as works-in-progress, which means that, instead of harboring criticisms to submit after the fact, I have found opportunities to affirm what is working well and to suggest directions for further development.

I believe that I have approached the synthesis course and the CCT program as a whole as a process of learning. I did not harbor feelings or criticism, especially because we were taught that reflection and evaluation are important tools. During every course we did evaluations or provided feedback in some way. Also the method of (plus, delta) was a great way to encourage, but to also identify what you could improve on. CCT also provided generous office hours in which students could express themselves. The program has been great in this area; I wouldn’t have changed my experience at all.