I’d initially thought of contacting the Heads of School to introduce myself and explain what I was trying to do, and ask if they would be willing to pass along the request on my behalf. I’m quite conscious of how politically sensitive something like this is – especially given I’m unfamiliar with many of the internal dynamics in the faculty.

At the same time, as you said, there may in fact be ways I can gather the same sorts of data via other means. I’ll definitely be looking into it. As much as anything, the questions were a preliminary attempt to define for myself what I’m actually attempting to achieve, and the information I need to know moving forward.

Perhaps an even larger consideration than this though is what Leigh Blackall commented in the wake of my last post:

“…if In your heart you already know what needs to be done, and your gut is telling you the boss and staff are expecting you to lead the way, I would do away with the srvey and work with the first person who shows interest. Build a success there and the others will come. the survey imho wont give you much, and could undermine your leadership role.”

Would you agree with his thoughts?

It’s fantastic to have such meaningful feedback from you all on this, it’s really helping me frame the tasks ahead. As you say, there are not necessarily easy solutions – but it’s still important to know what the questions and issues are and be able to see things holistically.

More blogging from me on this as well, almost certainly.

Thanks again!

I applaud the idea, but based on my experience I wonder how effective it might be.

The barriers I see are first the general malaise of academics. I think this will be a very contextual thing. The academics in the faculty you work with may be different. With some of the academic units I’m familiar with, I doubt that response would be high or even representative. I would imagine it being the innovators, those that are keen, responding and not the majority.

Thinking of my local context, I also wonder how the hierarchy would feel. i.e. in some situations I know of some faculty management who would want to be told about this, convinced of its worth and allowed to apply their stamp of approval before release.

The other barrier I wonder about is the Google docs. The last couple of years in particular has taught me to not under estimate the difficulties even the simplest of new technologies can create for a significant number of academics.

I like the questions you’ve asked.

I wonder if there are some other ways you might be able to get this information, without having to ask. In my experience, academics who think you’re expecting them to do work for you, will react negatively (regardless of whether you could get the information without them).

I also wonder about how you’d apply the survey. I can see the efficiency of a global mail out but I can also see it being less personal and potentially having lower response rates. Is it possible to use it as an interview schedule as you are talking with the academics in a one on one situation?

The problem you’re trying to solve is perhaps the most important of all problems with encouraging innovation in learning and teaching and the one problem I’m not sure anyone has really done well. i.e. getting to know all of the folk you are supporting and figuring out what you can do to help them.

It’s a problem we’re struggling with and I’m not happy with the answers being given. So, I’m hoping to reflect and blog about it in the near future.

Will keep a close eye on what you’re doing and how it goes.

Good luck.

David.