Well, I first want to say thank you to everyone in class for our discussion last Thursday regarding “authenticity” and certain frustrations.  It is just great to hear other points of few…as well as the advice received from everyone.  I believe some of the frustrations I feel at times is just a sign that I really care about what I do, and who I do it for.  I want my organization to reach new heights…and believe that my education within this program has given me the tools to act as the agent for positive change.  We are a great place now…and our image is very strong, but there is always room for improvement.  Over the last 5 years I have seen some great changes in various areas, which have netted incredible results.  I just want to be sure that this momentum continues in the future, and will do all I can to ensure the continued success of my department. 

I also wanted to briefly speak about the Concept Map activity we played around with last week.  I was part of the “pilot” group over the summer, and it was a very beneficial project.  Yet, doing it as a collective activity in the classroom has already seemed to be much more effective.  We all have so many thoughts and it is great to see our collective concept map unfold…live!  It keeps us all on the same page, and this is definitely something that you want to do as a group, in the same room.  We tried to add keywords, etc. over the summer from different locations, but it did not have the impact I wished it would have had.  It is always a great experience when all of our creative minds are working…and I believe we encourage one another during group activities.  I think it also helps, because we are thinking out loud at times…which brings in other comments to help elaborate upon our own statements.  It is just fun for me to build something like a concept map with so many other intelligent, experienced minds!  We have only spent limited time on it so far, but I look forward to the future of this project…it is going to be some map     

I was unable to attend class last week, since I was in Virginia Beach for training.  I must say that I am a bit nervous and “uneasy” about this semester so far because of some of the work conflicts I will encounter (and have encountered).  I do not like missing class one bit, especially in the beginning of the semester when we are learning core concepts to build upon.  I will also have to miss class next Thursday for work-related reasons.  I tried to plead my case with the corporate team, but they were not interested.  It kind of upsets me…in the fact that the executive management team does not show much sympathy towards the continuing of my education.  I am completing this degree program for the benefit of my employer…and not just MY campus, but all campuses.  Also, the “training” that I attended last week was dreadful and I hardly retained a single thing.  The entire time I was in the various sessions I plotted better ways to go about the process.  At least I was learning in some kind of way through the painful ordeal!  I really wanted to offer a few ideas for improving the process, but it would have fallen on deaf ears.  It is times like these when I wonder if I should look for another position, where my education can be put to better use.  Don’t get my wrong, I HAVE used many principals at my campus and continue to do so…but I would like my impact to reach out further.  I hope to obtain the executive career services director position soon so I will have a bit more leverage, but that process has been dragging on quite a bit.  I guess…I guess I am just a bit frustrated right now.  I also feel a little overwhelmed so far this semester with the work load from both classes, along with my hectic and busy work schedule.  I know I will pull through and productively learn, it is just going to be a challenge to say the least.

This was the first class of the semester where we used our wiki comments to enhance our discussion on Dixon’s chapters. I think it is a great stimulate, but seems to lose its luster as we go through the posts posts…especially when they are very long posts. Last class, it was more of people repeating what they wrote instead of really elaborating off their comments. Maybe we should try condensing our comments to encourage more thoughts from others that read them. I don’t know…and I am also guilty of the writing a bit much in my wiki. I just see these as appetizers to a much bigger thought or idea. This seemed to work exceptionally over the summer…so I hope to get the same experience this fall.

As for some of the content we went over last Thursday, I was really pulled in on the idea of learning being about making the most out of the experience. This is so true in many situations in life. Even when you fail at a task, you must step back…reflect on the experience…and learn. In organizations this might not happen due to ego issues or difference of opinion. If something goes wrong…or is going wrong…it might be hard for some people to reflect on the problem at hand from a level prospective. So, learning within the organization does not occur effectively. Another idea that caught my attention was how OL results from intentional and planned efforts. Funny how so many of us learn “accidentally” these days. Our class discussion last Thursday proved that! I just wish that organizations would incorporate more “open” ways of learning together…as a TEAM. Learning should be a collective effort…in a comfortable atmosphere conducive where everyone can explore the answers to difficult problems. These days, however, that can be very difficult…which is the sad thing. I talk to a lot of my friends each week about their companies, and far too often they rely on experts and “higher positioned executives” to learn…instead of relying on their own people and giving them power to aid in the learning process. I am not a fan of intimidating managers who play up their title. I enjoy my current work environment, in which we learn together…as equals…as a team!

Finally, I just wanted to throw my thoughts out there regarding feedback. I think this is such an important aspect of learning in organizations. I feel that I do not receive any where near the necessary feedback to really develop within my role at ECPI, which is sad to me. I send in weekly reports, yet never receive any feedback in return – why even send them in? How am I suppose to figure out what problems I must focus on? How am I suppose to zero in on developing my team more effectively? This would not only help me out…but it would improve our department and our campus collectively. I just think that feedback…even a simple pat on the back for reinforcement…is very important.

Well, this is my first reflection of the class and will probably be the most brief since we are just getting started. I can say with a great deal of enthusiasm that this class has great potential. Not only are we using the latest technology for reflection and learning, but we will be studying (in depth) organizational learning from a macro point of view. As Dr. Carter explained, the texts are very intense with information…but I think we will all benefit from our readings and class discussions. Learning in the organization is a huge topic of interest and I can’t wait to dive into the processes of OL and the conditions for its encouragement. I think that OL is large part of any organization…and tends to look after the long-term outlook, but adhering to short-term changes. OL can help employees manage change and future developments sufficiently and effectively.

This should be a great semester and, once again, I will be surrounded by a close group of intelligent individuals – who bring various backgrounds and experiences to the table of discussion. I also think the collaborative effort in creating the class concept map will be a great learning experience for us all….and it will aid in the understanding of organization learning. Finally, utilizing “blog technology” along with the “class wiki” will help us all learn so much more. It is great to share important thoughts and concepts with our classmates, while receiving helpful reflections. Reading/listening to other comments and reflections strengthens my own development a great deal. Sometimes, I am able to see ideas, theories, etc. from a different point of view…ones that I would have never thought of. It truly aids in the learning process within these courses. This should be a GREAT experience over the next several months and we all will benefit from this collective effort!