Difference between revisions of "Participant Experiences"
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| + | This page outlines the [[Participant_Experiences#Participant_Types|stakeholder groups]] as well as the key inhibiting factor of NSEC's e-consultation effectiveness: [[Participant_Experiences#Complexity_of_the_consultation|environmental complexity]]. | ||
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==Complexity of the consultation== | ==Complexity of the consultation== | ||
Although referred to as the [http://www.nsec.info NSEC] trial, from the outset both the [http://www.nsec.info NSEC] management and the [http://www.e-consultation.org e-consultation researchers] were aware of the complexity of the consultation domain and that the work programme and subsequent relationship between [http://www.nsec.info NSEC] and the e-consultation would last longer than the duration of the HEA project. | Although referred to as the [http://www.nsec.info NSEC] trial, from the outset both the [http://www.nsec.info NSEC] management and the [http://www.e-consultation.org e-consultation researchers] were aware of the complexity of the consultation domain and that the work programme and subsequent relationship between [http://www.nsec.info NSEC] and the e-consultation would last longer than the duration of the HEA project. | ||
====Affect of Environmental Changes==== | ====Affect of Environmental Changes==== | ||
| − | [http://www.nsec.info NSEC] were newly formed and in the process of recruiting staff, and as an embryonic North/South body, had to take cognisance of the changing [[NSEC E-Consultation Context|political situation]]. Thus at the e-consultation design phase a multi-stranded plan was adopted. | + | [http://www.nsec.info NSEC] were newly formed and in the process of recruiting staff, and as an embryonic North/South body, had to take cognisance of the changing [[NSEC E-Consultation Context|political situation]]. Thus at the e-consultation design phase a multi-stranded plan was adopted. |
| − | A simple but telling exemplar of this issue was | + | However, a multi-stranded plan meant that, for each target group involved, there was a corresponding level of research required to understand the participants experience with the technology and the optimal way in which to access these groups. |
| + | *A simple but telling exemplar of this issue was demonstrated in the fact that of the 300 e-mails to a mailing list provided by a state agency, over 25% were returned due to incorrect addresses. | ||
| + | *Furthermore internet security protocols employed in the modern school environment meant that very often there was no way of adequately ensuring that e-mails were being received by the intended recipients, or that they could not access the consultation web sites. | ||
====Access Problem for schools==== | ====Access Problem for schools==== | ||
| − | Many Irish schools have their Internet connections provided through an agreement administered by [http://www.fortinet.com Fortinet]. [http://www.fortinet.com Fortinet] use filtering software to block access to some classifications of web site. It is staff in the USA who classify these sites | + | Many Irish schools have their Internet connections provided through an agreement administered by [http://www.fortinet.com Fortinet]. [http://www.fortinet.com Fortinet] use filtering software to block access to some classifications of web site. It is staff in the USA who classify these sites. The administrators had not classified either [http://www.nsec.info NSEC's (nsec.info)] or [http://www.e-consultation.org the rsearch team's (e-consultation.org) sites]. So, pupils in the Irish schools could not see the projects web sites. Eventually, an [http://www.ispa.org.uk/ Internet Service Provider], [http://www.heanet.ie HEANET] arranged to [http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=RNWE%2CRNWE%3A2004-43%2CRNWE%3Aen&q=define%3A+whitelist whitelist] the sites, overriding the opinions of the US staff who know little about Irish web sites. |
==Participant Types== | ==Participant Types== | ||
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#Youth Groups | #Youth Groups | ||
| − | === | + | ===A slow start...=== |
Very few people signed up to the newsletter or took part in the initial survey. Only at the end of our research project did [http://www.nsec.info NSEC] start to send out surveys to more people, and start to get some responses. Our most enthusiastic response came from the attendees at the launch event, who all managed successfully to vote on half a dozen questions. | Very few people signed up to the newsletter or took part in the initial survey. Only at the end of our research project did [http://www.nsec.info NSEC] start to send out surveys to more people, and start to get some responses. Our most enthusiastic response came from the attendees at the launch event, who all managed successfully to vote on half a dozen questions. | ||
===NSEC Evaluation=== | ===NSEC Evaluation=== | ||
| − | Turning from the consultees to the consulters, | + | Turning from the consultees to the consulters, [http://www.nsec.info NSEC] [http://www.e-consultation.org/guide/index.php/Participant_Experiences claimed] to be particularly satisfied with the [http://e-consultation.org research team’s] work, and are planning to transfer the [http://nsec.e-consultation.org/wiki/index.php/Welcome web site] and software, the [http://e-consultation.org research team] designed for them, to [http://www.nsec.info their own web site]. [http://www.nsec.info NSEC] liked the e-consultation tools, but only now have the resources to actually use them in their ongoing consultation. The software may be free, but time and attention of the [http://www.nsec.info NSEC] staff are not. |
Latest revision as of 12:43, 27 April 2007
This page outlines the stakeholder groups as well as the key inhibiting factor of NSEC's e-consultation effectiveness: environmental complexity.
Contents
Complexity of the consultation
Although referred to as the NSEC trial, from the outset both the NSEC management and the e-consultation researchers were aware of the complexity of the consultation domain and that the work programme and subsequent relationship between NSEC and the e-consultation would last longer than the duration of the HEA project.
Affect of Environmental Changes
NSEC were newly formed and in the process of recruiting staff, and as an embryonic North/South body, had to take cognisance of the changing political situation. Thus at the e-consultation design phase a multi-stranded plan was adopted.
However, a multi-stranded plan meant that, for each target group involved, there was a corresponding level of research required to understand the participants experience with the technology and the optimal way in which to access these groups.
- A simple but telling exemplar of this issue was demonstrated in the fact that of the 300 e-mails to a mailing list provided by a state agency, over 25% were returned due to incorrect addresses.
- Furthermore internet security protocols employed in the modern school environment meant that very often there was no way of adequately ensuring that e-mails were being received by the intended recipients, or that they could not access the consultation web sites.
Access Problem for schools
Many Irish schools have their Internet connections provided through an agreement administered by Fortinet. Fortinet use filtering software to block access to some classifications of web site. It is staff in the USA who classify these sites. The administrators had not classified either NSEC's (nsec.info) or the rsearch team's (e-consultation.org) sites. So, pupils in the Irish schools could not see the projects web sites. Eventually, an Internet Service Provider, HEANET arranged to whitelist the sites, overriding the opinions of the US staff who know little about Irish web sites.
Participant Types
Overall, 11 types of participant were identified for the purposes of the trials and assessment criteria drafted to elicit feedback from each group. The types of participant were:
- Funding Agencies
- Individuals
- Managers
- Teachers
- Volunteers
- Young people
- Youth workers
- Post-primary level schools
- Post-primary level schools
- Statutory Organisations
- Voluntary Organisations
- Youth Groups
A slow start...
Very few people signed up to the newsletter or took part in the initial survey. Only at the end of our research project did NSEC start to send out surveys to more people, and start to get some responses. Our most enthusiastic response came from the attendees at the launch event, who all managed successfully to vote on half a dozen questions.
NSEC Evaluation
Turning from the consultees to the consulters, NSEC claimed to be particularly satisfied with the research team’s work, and are planning to transfer the web site and software, the research team designed for them, to their own web site. NSEC liked the e-consultation tools, but only now have the resources to actually use them in their ongoing consultation. The software may be free, but time and attention of the NSEC staff are not.
