Project & Process Reflection

OP4 Design

To write this OP I used the SADIM design methodology. It was a very agile process and sometimes it was difficult to not loose track, but I always said "Get it done, than get it good". Close to the deadline of the OP-bus I had much more ideas for the OP, but I run out of time, so I just submitted the OP. Next time a better Time Management is needed or I simply need to start a little earlier. Nevertheless I need to say that the highlights of this OP production were, that it was easy to write the Core Report, because my projects were very clear and (more or less) well documented. My goal for this OP was to present my two projects in an understandable way so that the reader can learn something. My other goal was to write the OP with a change in genre...That is something I need to practice.

Project Reflection

For both projects I applied a conscious design process which I was able to implement successfully. I really feel that I am understanding more and more the nature of design processes. They enabled me to structure all my work and to get everything done on time.

The project "creating learning material" was a real thinking-process which was very easy going but took always some time to think and reflect about the read information. From time to time I got clearer ideas how my learning material should look like and in the end I came up with an prototype. It was a great opportunity for me to practice prototyping, but honestly, I am adding more thoughts to the prototype, so it is still in process. My next step is now to create a real learning material according to the prototype for resistant bees. So this project continues...

The "Terra Preta workshop project" was a little different, because I had to do the most part before the workshop actually started. With the help of Dragon Dreaming I managed to organize everything beforehand. I did not research so much as I planned in the beginning. I realized that one can only gain key competences and qualities if the focus in this field is more on Action Learning by just doing it. After the Workshop I was very inspired about passing on knowledge and researched more about further trainings for me in the Internet and in the end I decided to do a Training to become a "Global Facilitator" to be more professional in educational work. I will probably visit this training from February to July 2017.

In OP 4 I followed my goals I outlined in OP3 so I can not track the projects from my LIPD directly. The only project-related connection I can draw, is that I wanted to learn more about education, learning and resistant bees. So now I combined the learning/education with my original Project "Building Soil" and "keeping bees" which is a favourable combination. this way I am educating myself and think about passing on this to other people. So, I am really motivated in this field and like to continue working on this, lets see what happens...

To get more practised from time to time I started a list of methods and best practices for project management

OP4 goals (optional)

I created this Mindmap during my last OP-creation process. Up till know it always assisted me to visualize all my goals for OP4 condensed and clear. It was really helpful to take a look at it if I had no idea what the next steps are or if I just wanted to have an overview about my short-term goals.

OP-Process Reflection

Although I started a little to late with my OP -production process I was in-time. I really appreciate how practised I get from time to time producing an OP. Sure certain things are still very time intensive, but all in all I know the overall pattern of an OP. One big advantage was that my projects were really ready to write because of the strategic design process I used in each project.Therefore it was really easy to take the core essence and produce the Core Report and it did not take ages. What really helped me during my OP-production process was to take notes about my thoughts all the time and just start writing without over-theorizing the OP all the time what I did before.

I really tried to change my genre/tonus at times in this OP. That is something I really need to practice more: my story-telling ability.

Timeline

With a lot of joy I can say, that I estimated my time properly. Everything was like planned in my timeline which I produced during OP3. I was able to do my Mid-of-the-year presentation in October with the topic: "Steps towards resistant bees". I delivered my OP4 in November 2016 and hopefully I can deliver OP5 in December.

Intentions of efforts for dissemination

The learning material I created for the Terra Preta Workshop (Mindmaps and Poster) did I share with all participants. Some of them will use it to inspire other people about Terra Preta. The poster will soon be available to download on the website of the permaculture area.

The prototype for my learning material is thought to help me and other people to understand complex knowledge easily. My next step is to apply the prototype for the topic "resistant bees" and as soon I am really satisfied with my outcomes I will share a detailed version on how to use this method and all my knowledge I collected in each material.

My boyfriend and me plan to write a blog, where I will upload all my Gaia University work and more :-) The blog is these days under construction!

Tracking skills directly from my LIPD

Kolb Profile

The two Kolb kite models on the right show my Kolb profiles: on the left before I started to work on my project, on the right after I worked on my projects with the help of design processes. As the profile "after unlearning" shows I really expanded my thinking especially in Reflective Observation and Abstract Conceptualization during my projects "Terra Preta Workshop" and "creating a prototype for a learning material".

In the Terra Preta Workshop I expanded my thinking more towards Reflective Observation. Whereas in the "creating a prototype for a learning material" project I expanded my thinking more towards Abstract Conceptualization.So in conclusion I can say that my skills according to the Kolbs model became more balanced by using Reflective Observation and Abstract Conceptualization more often.