Check-ins

First Check-in Write

(2 pts. possible) Due at class time on Thursday, 1/15/04

Name, date needed

This check-in write should be typed and written as two to three pages. Answer the first three questions in one to three paragraphs each. Respond to at least two of the questions that are listed as four through seven.

1. What have you and others you are working with (co-knowledge creators/stakeholders- specify names and roles) accomplished so far? This should include some specifics about your meeting(s), questions identified, actions planned for, meeting notes delivered, etc.
2. What's next (projecting one to three weeks out)?
3. What concerns you? Inspires you? Surprises you? Discourages you? What would help you?
4. Relate what you are learning to something you have read or we have discussed in class. Be specific (refer to article, perhaps even quoting a statement or refer to date of discussion and topic discussed).
5. What about the theory and/or praxis of P.A.R. seems especially significant to you at this time?
6. What did you learn last quarter that is proving especially helpful and/or enlightening for your work so far?
7. What is the main insight you feel you have acquired at this time (draw from work in the community, from readings, from discussion, from reflection or some combination of those)?

Second Check-in Write

(2 pts. possible) Due at class time on Thursday, 1/29/04

Name, date needed

This check-in write should be typed and written as two to three pages. Answer the first three questions in one to three paragraphs each. Respond to at least two of the questions that are listed as four through seven.

1. What have you and others you are working with (co-knowledge creators/stakeholders- specify names and roles) accomplished so far (or since your last written check-in)? This should include some specifics about your meeting(s), questions identified, actions planned for, meeting notes delivered, etc.
2. What do you anticipate doing with others in the next two weeks?
3. What concerns you? Inspires you? Surprises you? Discourages you? What would help you?
4. Relate what you are learning to something you have read or we have discussed in class. Be specific (refer to article, perhaps even quoting a statement or refer to date of discussion and topic discussed).
5. On the back of one of the pages of your check-in, draw a picture that somehow "captures" something important about the PAR work in which you are involved (e.g. a picture of your site, symbols of planned activities, etc.) In a paragraph that references the picture, describe what you drew and why these things are important.
6. Which of the tools you have learned about so far most interests you? Why? How do you see applications to your PAR work?
7. What is the main insight you feel you have acquired at this time? You may draw from work in the community, from readings, from discussion, from reflection or some combination of those.

Third Check-in Write

(2 pts. possible) Due at class time on Thursday, 2/12/04

Name, date needed

This check-in write should be typed and written as two to three pages. Answer the first three questions in one to three paragraphs each. Respond to at least two of the questions that are listed as four through seven.

1. What have you and others you are working with (co-knowledge creators/stakeholders- specify names and roles) accomplished since your last written check-in? This should include some specifics about your meeting(s), questions identified, actions planned for, meeting notes delivered, etc.
2. Complete a Matrix Timeline as was discussed in class, using the following headings:

• Question(s)
• Tool(s) to use
• Who is responsible?
• Population to participate
• Due dates (perhaps it is done in steps)
• Completion date
• Population to participate

3. At this point in the project and in the quarter: What concerns, inspires you, surprises, and/or discourages you? (You can respond with other emotions too). What would help you?
4. Relate what you are learning to something you have read or that we have discussed in class. Be specific (refer to article, perhaps even quoting a statement or refer to date of discussion and topic discussed).
5. How could you use Appreciative Inquiry as a tool at your site? What kinds of questions would you ask? Who would you talk to? How could you use AI with another tool?
6. How well have tool(s) you have used so far worked in gathering information, strengthening group cohesion, etc? What tool(s) are you hoping to use in the future and why? Please note, that these might include something you've already used.
7. What is the main insight you feel you have acquired at THIS point in time? You may draw from work in the community, from readings, from discussion, from reflection or some combination of those.

Fourth Check-in Write

Name, date needed

This check-in write should be typed and written as two to three pages. Answer the first three questions in one to three paragraphs each. Respond to at least two of the questions that are listed as four through seven.

1. Looking back at the matrix you created for the third check-in write, discuss what you and other stakeholders have accomplished toward your stated goals or completed on the schedule you forecast. Have you modified the tasks, dates, people designated as responsible, etc. on the matrix and, if so, why?
2. With three weeks left in the quarter (not counting Finals Week), what is your greatest challenge at this time and how are you (and others) meeting it? Your answer might take into consideration anything (e.g.from support from classmates to counting on a stakeholder coming through on some task.)
3. Brag on yourself! What are you doing really well? (This can be both in the community and/or in class)
4. Is there anything about PAR that you would like to be learning but haven't?
5. What do you feel you REALLY understand about PAR (or some aspect of PAR) now as a result of your experience to date?
6. Get creative: think of a symbol, find a poem, draw a picture, etc. that encapsulates something meaningful about your engagement with PAR. Include the "thing" and explain it in a paragraph or two.
7. Look back at one of your concerns from past check-ins and write how that concern was (or wasn't) resolved at this time. How does the "rear view mirror" approach help you think about now and the rest of your PAR time?

Last Check-in Write

(2 pts. possible) Due sometime between class time on Thursday, 3/11/04 and 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 17 (Please note that your portfolios are also due by 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 17).

Name, date needed

Answer the first three questions in one to three paragraphs each. Respond to at least two of the questions that are listed as four through seven.

1. Summarize stakeholders' assessment statements about the PAR project and attach a copy of the completed assessment grid.
2. What methods have you employed in analyzing research data and what patterns are emerging?
3. Are there signs that stakeholders will continue to use PAR after this quarter? What do stakeholders plan to do next? (If not, briefly summarize the shortcomings or obstacles for PAR for those with whom you worked.)
4. Relate what you are learning to something you have read, viewed or discussed in class. Be specific (for example, refer to an article title, perhaps even quoting a statement or refer to date of discussion and topic discussed).
5. What about the theory and/or praxis of P.A.R. seems especially significant to you now that you are at the end of the quarter?
6. What advice do you have for next year's PAR students (assuming that the course is set up in the same way as it was this year)?
7. Taking into account the realities of the quarter's limitations, what suggestions do you have for rethinking the PAR course (e.g. should the course only be based on readings and perhaps visits to sites using PAR? Should it remain largely the same with some revisions? Should it be based on case studies and not actual community involvement? etc.)

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