At the end of the Dallas academic residency, all of the residency notes receive extensive expansion into a more readable version denoted as the extended residency notes. Part of taking notes during a residency is about having the information necessary to complete a reflective review of learning opportunities and possibilities. Writing a reflective essay that provides comprehensive coverage of an academic residency require building and expanding on a series of initial reactions as a frame of reference. Experiences from attending past Walden University academic residencies in Athens, Milwaukee, and Indiana should provide a strong foundation for commenting on the Dallas residency.
January 15, 2006
Like the last few Walden University academic residencies the first day ended with a presentation from an invited speaker. Before the speaker took the stage, several administrative matters received attention including the recent separation of public policy and administration from the school of management. Critics challenge that management strategies, the study of leadership, and the study of organizational culture applies to public, private, and non-profit equally. Challenging the creation of a dichotomy between private and public management involves addressing the values of efficiency, economy, and social equity. Public administration, public policy, and non-profit management advance a decision-making process that balances efficiency, economy, and social equity. Profitability is the corner stone of sustainability in the corporate world. Corporations in the private sector exist based on the ability to balance efficiency and economy to ensure a positive return on investment. Separate from the current arguments is the rational consideration that social equity concerns are not strictly germane to public and non-profit organizations.
The school of public policy and administration initiated an official meeting separate from the school of management the standard introductions were the same including the standard welcome, greeting, explanation of previous residencies, and announcements. Students showed a general enthusiasm for the announcement that Walden University will be holding an academic residency at the American Society for Public Administration conference in Denver, Colorado. For long-term planning and stability, the school of public policy and administration announced that Dallas would be the location of next the winter academic residency next year. After interacting with students in an online forum, the face-to-face introductions are always entertaining. Students are always eager to know the locations of other students with similar specializations and research interests.
The newly formed school of public policy and administration has hired a new professor interested in cultural anthropology, cultural competence, and creative problem solving. A thoughtful student might wonder if the new professor interested in cultural anthropology and the study of organizations might be actively engaged in a study of the new formation of the school of public policy and administration.
Speculation aside introductory meetings are generally about students being able to share stories about the academic journey. Students often note the importance of remembering to be an information sponge. At the same time, students have to take a moment and consider the diverse research interests represented in the room including E-Government, faith based polices, public leadership, emergency response management, leadership management, public safety, non-profit management, health services management, and personal management issues in local government. Diversity of ideas does not begin to describe the actual influence of diversity on Walden University. A student in the group shared reflections and observations on how the Walden University academic residency in Dallas, Texas, sparked a first time visit to the United States of American from Ghana in Africa to lean about public policy and administration to actively engage in nation building.
Walden University invited LaQueta L. Wright, a professor of Sociology and African American studies at Richland collage, to deliver the initial conference keynote presentation titled, “Social Change: No one rises to low expectations!” As a public speaker, LaQueta L. Wright demonstrated the proactive ability to engage an audience during the discussion of complex social issues including civil rights, equality, social justice, and freedom. The presentation started with an assertion that all people deserve liberty and equality followed by an explanation of the key components of positive social change.
LaQueta L. Wright introduced the argument that culture is a catalyst, and culture can be a positive driving force for social change. Questions about what people do and do not say about culture, intercultural sensitivity, and perception of culture facilitated dialogue and discussion during the presentation. Individuals can work to bring about positive social change at every level of society. Accepting cultural diversity involves allowing people to be who they are. LaQueta L. Wright asked everyone in the audience to develop an action plan for achieving positive social change at the individual, global, and professional levels.
January 16, 2006
Morning academic residency programming started with the school of public policy and administration colloquium focused on decision-making theories. After seeing a number of signs throughout the building, it is obvious that Walden University prominently displays the catchphrase, “A higher degree, a higher purpose.” Discussion starts with an explanation of the limits and general theory of planning, within a framework of social policies. Social policy is difficult to evaluate due to the difficult nature of social problems. Potential exists for solutions to create additional spillover effects and additional negative externalities.
Decision-making is about the art of gathering information. The process involves identifying the problem, factors, potential solutions, and negative externalities. Defining a problem within a public policy framework for decision-making involves determining the problem, goals, and objectives associated with the resolution of the problem. Policy makers face the challenge of finding a framework that utilizes planning instead of incremental decision-making. Without planning and perspective, a series of rational decisions can continue an irrational trajectory. Determining the reasonable available alternatives can require extensive consideration and outside consultation.
Theories on the game board for discussion during the session include rational-comprehensive theory, rational choice theory, instrumentalist theory, systems theory, or a mixed-model approach using decision-making tools, statistics, benefit cost analysis, return on investment modeling.
An introductory comment notes that rational choice theory requires logical, ordered, analysis by factor and alternative. If each decision occurs in a vacuum, then the possibility exists for a dispositional relationship between each decision. Developing new policy can utilize rational choice theory without the potential for dispositional relationships between decisions. Blaming the politicians for the lack of political will to solve problems is not an alternative policy solution. A potential problem of a comprehensive rational choice theory develops from infinitely regressive research.
The steps in the rational choice model, problem definition, define goals/objective/values, identify alternatives, analyze alternatives, and make recommendations. Decision makers have to encourage the discussion of all possible alternatives to find the best potential solution creating the smallest number of negative externalities.
Incrementalism, is a consequence of the bureaucratic process, a policy is in place and subject to evolutionary not revolutionary change. Policy steps in instrumentalism problem definition, find the goals within the system, find the objectives within the system, generate alternatives, and make recommendations.
January 17, 2006
Each school has a series of colloquiums and professors from each school hold intensive seminars that are open to anyone from Walden University to attend. Some students trying to understand the process decided to attend an intensive seminar style workshop about what constitutes a knowledge area module at Walden University. A major part of the session will involve sharing stories about the process of completing knowledge area modules. A public service ethic provides the motivating for using creativity and intelligence to improve society.
Setting goals and objectives for learning during the academic residency will allow the process to be a catalyst for the positive exchange of information and experience. A hidden truth in life revolves around the acceptance that together the group probably knows more than any single individual within the group. The residency design should facilitate networking opportunities between Walden University students. The professor asked the question, “Is the difference between knowledge and wisdom experience?”
Several students are from Nigeria now studying to earn graduate degrees. Continuing education management students in the intensive seminar are tending to study leadership and organizational change. Currently students in the seminar represent Jamaica, Nigeria, Poland, and Australia. Management students with extensive experience in business seem to be very interested in leadership and organizational change. Students from a variety of specializations are required to work together at academic residencies. Does social change involve making a positive difference in society?
What are the barriers to starting, sustaining, and completing a knowledge area module? Perhaps the largest challenge student’s face involves understanding how to start a knowledge area module. After finding direction in the process, the next challenge relates to being able to knuckle down and sustain the writing process like a marathon not a sprint. Students generally recognize the greatest number barriers surround writing the first learning agreement and finishing the first knowledge area module. From the study of entrepreneurship, business, career management, and employment a knowledge area module can cover a near infinite range of possibilities.
Students have to understand the process including the expectations of the university, faulty, and students. Between the possibility of information overload and the challenge of identifying the central theorists on any give topic, the process is more of a journey then a definitive plan, template, or schedule. Successful students write clearly stated learning objectives that have clear outcomes that allow clear demonstration. Students start the program for different reasons, but all students have reason for pursing the education associated with higher education. Some students have time management issues ranging from a lack of time to a lack of motivation.
January 18, 2006
Perhaps the second day of the intensive seminar on how to develop a knowledge area module will focus on the procedural details that were lacking from the first day of the seminar. PowerPoint is not the answer to all lecture problems. The lecture today will focus on learning exercises for understanding the knowledge area module. Are answers to questions about knowledge area modules relative to the current truth?
Successful knowledge area modules require choice and balance. Each section of the KAM concludes with a demonstration section that should persuade the reader of the writer’s competence in the subject. Start the demonstration with a direct application to your presentation. The KAM design should prepare a writer for the dissertation process. Make sure that each KAM provides an increase to the material included in the dissertation literature review.
A doctoral degree is not a reflection of the dissertation, but a reflection of the ability to conduct research. Balancing personal expectations and the expectations of advisors is a part of the KAM process. Continuing education students have to balance professional responsibilities, family life, and academic expectations. What is the difference between completion and the pursuit of perfection? Can the paper be better? Will the paper be perfect? Determining what standards are acceptable and endeavor to exceed those standards instead of endeavoring to achieve perfection. Understanding how to internalize critical review or assessment of a knowledge area module will help expedite the completion process.
Part of the dialogue process is about both continuing conversations and taking the initiative to start new conversations. Taking charge of the process and working toward completing the degree. A student offered a metaphor about the difference between an artist painting to earn a living and painting to create an artistic masterpiece. Learning agreements are the corner stone of dialogue between a student and a faculty member assessing a knowledge area module. Take the time for self-reflection and rate the objectives of your learning agreement with respect to completion and demonstration.
Write objectives for learning agreements that use action verbs that imply a measurable course of action. Value added langue ensures learning agreement objectives translate to scholarship that strengthens the field of study. Focus your objectives to a specific scope and set of limits. References should match and support your objectives. Begin the writing process early and be willing to share the first draft with someone for external observations. Dr. Randy Johnson advocates the importance of students actively engaging in the process of reflecting, revising, and resubmitting. Build a timeline that includes specific completion dates for objectives. Students need to develop a realistic time schedule.
A learning agreement should include approximately four objectives for each section. References and annotations will probe the depth of arguments. Fifteen annotations is an arbitrary standard to ensure students meet certain research standards. During the depth essay students work toward achieving objectives by telling a story of how the annotations are related and what arguments are being made. What constitutes a good depth essay?
January 20, 2006
For a diverse perspective on publications, a professor recommended looking at the Anthropology of Consciousness journal.
Simple systems theory model includes input, processes, and output. Expanding the system to include feedback loops, consequences, externalities, and spillovers will all simple systems modeling in public policy. A more advanced model might include inputs of both demands and supports on a set of political system processes to allow action decisions that produce outputs creating the feedback necessary to evaluate the outcomes necessary to reconsider the initial input of the system. Remembering to make changes to areas that require change during the feedback process requires remembering to collect feedback information. Why is this discussion not talking about the process of active performance measurement instead of performance measurement as a review strategy?
Can bureaucracy be a dirty word? Determining the international demand for students with an MBA degree or MPA degree would provide an interesting comparison of the value of business and infrastructure.
January 23, 2006
New information about the school of public policy and administration seems to be a major topic of discussion at the program colloquium. The professor made a special announcement about the new school of public policy and administration just in time to realize the potential benefits. Evidently, in the last year the faculty has deployed intensive seminars at all residencies to provide a school of public policy and administration presence. Students should make sure to find residencies that will have a school of public policy and administration presence. The school of public policy and administration denotes the importance of standing alone form the school of management through the process of program growth and development. Residency staff is always looking for ways to make the residencies student focused.
Questions remain about what benefits exist from having a new public policy and administration school. The last four years have moved toward the development of a school of public affairs that eventually became the school of public policy and administration. Within Walden University, decision making no longer requires the school of management agreement. Additional hiring of full time faculty members will allow additional growth within the program. Not trying to move toward a full time model, but as responsibilities grows the need for full time faculty grows. Center for social change, will be located within the school of public policy and administration.
During the faculty meeting, the school of public policy and administration decided not to address the potential creation of a journal of public policy and administration or a conference on public policy and administration. The Dean of the school of public policy and administration showed up to deliver some notes on what the school is doing and answer some questions. Evidently, the program separated for administrative and marketing reasons with the intention of developing a philosophy, trajectory, and justification as a secondary process. Students often forget the importance of setting individual residency goals and objectives.
January 24, 2006
In the social sciences, qualitative analysis will tend to receive more attention than quantitative methods. Dr. Kilmer is holding an intensive seminar at the Walden University Academic Residency titled, “Quantitative techniques for solving hard problems.” Students in the social sciences should take advantage of any opportunity to learn about quantitative methods in action. From a research methodology perspective, even students that primarily focus on qualitative analysis should appreciate exposure to how quantitative methods can solve problems.
This presentation is not necessarily about dissertation data analysis. Why do we have a narrow view of quantitative analysis? Hypothesis tests involve determining variables, measures, and ways to collected data is all part of the standard view of quantitative analysis. Intensive seminars have to maintain a certain level of energy to keep the presentation meaningful. Seminar will cover topics ranging form quantitative techniques, quantification, Forecasting, queuing, regression, experimentation, modeling, simulation, and optimization. Remember to take notes by referencing the slide number and the comment. Students should pay attention, listen, think, and ask questions during the intensive seminar. Quantitative analysis does not demand a rigid non-flexible way of conducting research.
What is a problem: unanswered question, unsatisfactory situation, deficiency, legal issue, unmet opportunity? For example, finding missing car keys would be a problem. A problem can be either a question or a statement. A dissertation problem statement can include the dependent and independent variables. For example, “How can we cure cancer?” is a question and, “The cure for cancer is not known,” is a problem statement. A student made a comment about avoiding pedantic terms that obfuscate the meaning of the problem statement. Qualitative researchers will occasionally use first person references during a dissertation. A researcher has to find ways to categorize problem by type of problem, time horizon, frequency, scope, decision process, and the number of possible solutions.
What makes a problem easy or hard? Walden University has a requirement to translate knowledge into practice in terms of social change. What is a VUCA environment? VUCA stands for a Volatile Uncertain Complex Ambiguous environment. What do academicians do to solve hard problems? Academic disciplines that claim to focus on solving hard problems tend to focus on building models. What is a model? A student asserted that a model is a simplified representation of a real world situation. Structure includes inputs that go into an assumption-based model that produces outputs. What is the difference between a causal model and a descriptive model? Types of potential models include mental, symbolic, mathematical, computer, or physical.
Decision-making and problem solving within Nobel Laureate Herb Simon’s model involves intelligence information, design, choice, implementation, and monitoring. For most researchers models an attempt to communicate an idea. Who said, “We make our mistakes on papers instead of the real world.” Three important questions in problem solving include timeframe, problem definition, and the value of problem resolution.
What is the difference between a research problem and a problem in the real world? Telling a story between the connection between a research problem and the real world problem is part of providing context. Explain the nature of the problem in a way that is generally understandable. Make sure to solve the right problem. Make sure the methodology applies to the research. “Effective problem solves know what problem they are going to solve.” A dissertation committee will test the axiom that, “Managing faculty is like herding cats.”
January 25, 2006
Today is the second day of the, “Quantitative techniques for solving hard problems,” intensive seminar presented by Dr. Kilmer. After the introduction of a calculus driven numerical model during the first
day of the intensive seminar it will be interesting to see if the class size shrinks. Morning discussion starts with an explanation of several changes to the Walden University dissertation proposal rubric with special attention to the requirements for quantitative methods. Predicting the future is a Herculean task of epic proportions. Forecasting is a technique that tracks changes in variables over time. Forecasting assumes that the past is an indicator of the future. Simple forecasting techniques do not require significant mathematics. Moving averages provide a method of looking at relative change for a given period.
January 26, 2006
The third and final day of the, “Quantitative techniques for solving hard problems,” intensive seminar presented by Dr. Kilmer is in a different room today. Each seminar gives a professor nine hours of time over three days. Given nine hours, most academics can present a reasonably complex argument or introduce a reasonably complex subject to a group of continuing education doctoral students. Today the discussion turns to examples of linear programming to find optimal solutions to complex problems. Dr. Kilmer makes a point of emphasizing the observation that a perfect model will not provide a perfect explanation of the real world. Most of the discussion focuses on the details of specific examples instead of the general principles and methods of specific quantitative methods. Part of the presentation design includes the expectation that the audience will be able to transfer quantitative methods between complex problems. Students benefit from exposure to various quantitative methods. Using quantitative methods requires an understanding of what quantitative methods are available.
January 27, 2006
At the last school of public policy and administration colloquia of the Dallas academic residency the discussion centers on understanding the PhD concept. Previously the professor had challenged the class to answer questions about the PhD concept before attending the last colloquia. All graduate schools should ask questions that challenge students to justify doctoral education. What is a PhD really? Why get a PhD? What does it take to get a PhD? What can you do with a PhD?
Perhaps the best strategy for explaining the PhD concept is to reduce the answer to one sentence. For example, as an artifact of the educational system, the combination of letters PhD after a persons name creates a beneficial socially perceived expectation of an individual’s competence in terms of research ability, critical thinking skills, and the ability to communicate knowledge to others.
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Nels,
I certainly enjoyed you and the Dallas residency. I was a blast!
I appreciate all your insight……
Jimmie
The residency at Dallas was as enlightening as it was motivating. The sessions were lively and the discussions were pointed. I needed to take advantage of this 2-week residency as I am a resident of Dallas. Thank you for your clear and comprehensive description of the academic residency.
David