Below is my Digital Presentation that I will be showing in class. There was so much I wanted to add, such as an animation cartoon showing a vehicle running to a tower, however my pc skills are not great and time is of essence so I had to improvise on that.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Update on Project
Project Update
I have been able to follow along side Frank and observe quite a bit. Those of you who know me, know that I tend to try and see the humour in problems. I have been privy to information that the normal outside research would not have, given that I am married to him. Trying to figure out how to place it in my paper is proving somewhat difficult, as there are many aspects of his job that frustrate him on a personal level.
Since the company is going through a "restructure" of responsiblities across the board, it is interesting to see how lacking the management has been in some areas. Typical case of how the left hand and the right hand are not insync. This has caused some problems in being able to not be biased when forming conclusions on different things.
There was a point that I wasn't sure I would be able to finish the project due to a possiblitiy that he may not have his job due to having to decide whether or not the job was worth the hassles and the inevitable overflow into family life.I am happy to say that after going through the proper channels he does not have to worry about his employment status and I do not have to worry about pulling together another topic.
I still have to develop pictures, and figure out how I want to put everything down into words. This will become easier once I begin writing I am sure.
I have been able to follow along side Frank and observe quite a bit. Those of you who know me, know that I tend to try and see the humour in problems. I have been privy to information that the normal outside research would not have, given that I am married to him. Trying to figure out how to place it in my paper is proving somewhat difficult, as there are many aspects of his job that frustrate him on a personal level.
Since the company is going through a "restructure" of responsiblities across the board, it is interesting to see how lacking the management has been in some areas. Typical case of how the left hand and the right hand are not insync. This has caused some problems in being able to not be biased when forming conclusions on different things.
There was a point that I wasn't sure I would be able to finish the project due to a possiblitiy that he may not have his job due to having to decide whether or not the job was worth the hassles and the inevitable overflow into family life.I am happy to say that after going through the proper channels he does not have to worry about his employment status and I do not have to worry about pulling together another topic.
I still have to develop pictures, and figure out how I want to put everything down into words. This will become easier once I begin writing I am sure.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Methods of Collection
Methods of Collection
When I first began this project, I had envisioned using surveys, observation, emails and in person interviews. I have found that the surveys were all answered in a positive way with hardly any real in depth information. This was especially disconcerting, as I was hoping for a more detailed account and honest account. After doing much thinking, and after to speaking to three individual technicians, I realized that most were afraid that I would be showing these to other technicians and the senior upper management. It also did not help that although the survey was given as an attachment in an email, it was in truth still connected to an email - hence the trepidation of the technicians to be honest due to it wasn’t a truly “anonymous” survey. Another hindrance to this is the fact that I happen to be married to one of the technicians, and fear of my husband reading the surveys and then reporting upwards in the company of what was being said. In the end, I decided not to place too much emphasis on the survey.
Observation of daily life of the technician was an easier route and my most relied on method. To accomplish this, I rode along with Frank on several occasions observing his mannerisms, conversations with other technicians, management, the on call center, vendors and even the client. I was able to ride along on several change outs, during which I was able to observe how he related to different members of the team. This also gave me some insight to how the company worked from within, and how the clients reacted with him. I also gained an appreciation for the long hours he puts in, how difficult it can be for a company to run a business when it’s all done via phone and email, and the difficulties of trying to line everything up so that a change out goes smoothly. I found that observation was the best method for researching this field.
Emails proved to be difficult in getting prompt replies, understandably, the technicians work long hours, have tons of paperwork and when they have free time, they really did not want to talk about “work” related topics. While the emails from upper management were answered in a timely manner, I knew I was taking them away from their normal job and that my questions were low on the totem pole of relevant necessity. I felt like I was getting a canned response when it finally came. I do know that there are many changes going on inside the company and protocol has changed several times in the last six weeks, this would probably explain the canned responses.
In person interviews were going to be a challenge from the start given that the company headquarters is located in central Florida, and the technicians are scattered across the lower southeastern division. There are three technicians in Tennessee, two in Alabama, one in Kentucky and one in North Carolina that I have personally met.
The physical locations of the technicians made it almost impossible to interview separately or be able to observe separately like I had wanted to. This created a problem in that I had to base my research on one technician whom I happen to be married to. I have tried to be unbiased in understanding my findings, and not take anything personal when it came to hearing about other technicians and their shortcomings - according to Frank. I tried to rely on conversations that I had the privilege to be privy to and the emails between the technicians, carefully deciphering the information and placing it into the research.
When I first began this project, I had envisioned using surveys, observation, emails and in person interviews. I have found that the surveys were all answered in a positive way with hardly any real in depth information. This was especially disconcerting, as I was hoping for a more detailed account and honest account. After doing much thinking, and after to speaking to three individual technicians, I realized that most were afraid that I would be showing these to other technicians and the senior upper management. It also did not help that although the survey was given as an attachment in an email, it was in truth still connected to an email - hence the trepidation of the technicians to be honest due to it wasn’t a truly “anonymous” survey. Another hindrance to this is the fact that I happen to be married to one of the technicians, and fear of my husband reading the surveys and then reporting upwards in the company of what was being said. In the end, I decided not to place too much emphasis on the survey.
Observation of daily life of the technician was an easier route and my most relied on method. To accomplish this, I rode along with Frank on several occasions observing his mannerisms, conversations with other technicians, management, the on call center, vendors and even the client. I was able to ride along on several change outs, during which I was able to observe how he related to different members of the team. This also gave me some insight to how the company worked from within, and how the clients reacted with him. I also gained an appreciation for the long hours he puts in, how difficult it can be for a company to run a business when it’s all done via phone and email, and the difficulties of trying to line everything up so that a change out goes smoothly. I found that observation was the best method for researching this field.
Emails proved to be difficult in getting prompt replies, understandably, the technicians work long hours, have tons of paperwork and when they have free time, they really did not want to talk about “work” related topics. While the emails from upper management were answered in a timely manner, I knew I was taking them away from their normal job and that my questions were low on the totem pole of relevant necessity. I felt like I was getting a canned response when it finally came. I do know that there are many changes going on inside the company and protocol has changed several times in the last six weeks, this would probably explain the canned responses.
In person interviews were going to be a challenge from the start given that the company headquarters is located in central Florida, and the technicians are scattered across the lower southeastern division. There are three technicians in Tennessee, two in Alabama, one in Kentucky and one in North Carolina that I have personally met.
The physical locations of the technicians made it almost impossible to interview separately or be able to observe separately like I had wanted to. This created a problem in that I had to base my research on one technician whom I happen to be married to. I have tried to be unbiased in understanding my findings, and not take anything personal when it came to hearing about other technicians and their shortcomings - according to Frank. I tried to rely on conversations that I had the privilege to be privy to and the emails between the technicians, carefully deciphering the information and placing it into the research.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Archival Materials
For this project I am gathering up timesheets, work orders, pictures of sites, and other forms that a tech would need on a daily basis.
These artifacts are interesting in understanding how much paperwork time adds to the actual work and drive time. Just as the cell phone and laptop are intricate partners in the life of a tech, so to is the enormous amount of emails, work orders, purchase orders and such.
These papers have to be filled out properly to a t, in order for the company to bill and recieve payment on work performed on a site, as well as for being able to pay for equipment ordered for a site. There have been times when equipment has been "misplaced" in paperwork which results in confusion of exactly which site it was used. Having a good paper trail of your work, helps in "finding the equipment.
These artifacts are interesting in understanding how much paperwork time adds to the actual work and drive time. Just as the cell phone and laptop are intricate partners in the life of a tech, so to is the enormous amount of emails, work orders, purchase orders and such.
These papers have to be filled out properly to a t, in order for the company to bill and recieve payment on work performed on a site, as well as for being able to pay for equipment ordered for a site. There have been times when equipment has been "misplaced" in paperwork which results in confusion of exactly which site it was used. Having a good paper trail of your work, helps in "finding the equipment.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Reflective memo
Ok, I am not quite sure exactly what this is supposed to look like, so I did the one below.
***********MEMO******
Update on Service Project
My intial research was to be on the "Circle of Techs" telling the intricate inner circle of trust between the technicians. However, I found that it was vague and hard to get people who were willing to speak for fear of upsetting higher ups or other technicians. Given that, I have decided to focus on what challenges a service tech faces in the day to day grind. While I have "insider" information, I will still gather other info from boards on the net and personal interviews of a few techs with whom I am close to.
This will give me a better insight to see what Frank (my designated tech) deals with and how frustrating or comical it can be in his life.
***********MEMO******
Update on Service Project
My intial research was to be on the "Circle of Techs" telling the intricate inner circle of trust between the technicians. However, I found that it was vague and hard to get people who were willing to speak for fear of upsetting higher ups or other technicians. Given that, I have decided to focus on what challenges a service tech faces in the day to day grind. While I have "insider" information, I will still gather other info from boards on the net and personal interviews of a few techs with whom I am close to.
This will give me a better insight to see what Frank (my designated tech) deals with and how frustrating or comical it can be in his life.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Glossary
While my glossary is not long by any means as of yet, it is a start to what I think may need further explaining. I know that it will grow as this project continues.
Glossary
Access road - a road that leads to the cell tower
HVAC - Heating, Ventilation Air Conditioning
Lift - crane or other motorized device that lifts the units up
Per Diem - (Latin for "per day" or "for each day") refers to a specific amount of money that an organization allows an individual to spend per day, to cover living and traveling expenses in connection with work. It is the allowance given to the employee/worker for completing a task or going on tour away from home.
Site - refers to the cell tower location
Time Sheet - Form filled out of hours worked during the pay period.
Truck Inventory - items that are to be kept on the truck and stocked.
Unit - Air Conditioner
Work Order - Form that is filled out to complete a job, it is a way of keeping track of where/what inventory is used on a job.
Glossary
Access road - a road that leads to the cell tower
HVAC - Heating, Ventilation Air Conditioning
Lift - crane or other motorized device that lifts the units up
Per Diem - (Latin for "per day" or "for each day") refers to a specific amount of money that an organization allows an individual to spend per day, to cover living and traveling expenses in connection with work. It is the allowance given to the employee/worker for completing a task or going on tour away from home.
Site - refers to the cell tower location
Time Sheet - Form filled out of hours worked during the pay period.
Truck Inventory - items that are to be kept on the truck and stocked.
Unit - Air Conditioner
Work Order - Form that is filled out to complete a job, it is a way of keeping track of where/what inventory is used on a job.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Ideas....
My orginal idea of the Circle of Techs, has been replaced with how the technician deals with the day to day problems of working out in the field and how they deal with it. I have made arrangements to travel along side Frank and observe from an outsider stand point.
This may or may not change during the course of the research.
This may or may not change during the course of the research.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Map
A map... hmm.. this one is both difficult and easy. The easy part is pulling it up, the harder part was trying to print it out. I settled for a picture of the map.
This map details each tech in the south eastern division, all the red dots you see are individual cell towers. Usually a tech is "assigned" (and I use this term loosely) an area of 130 miles from his residence. However, a tech may be called out of his "assigned" area at any given time if necessary.
The technicians rely on this map, which was taken from Streets and Trips. When a tech clicks on a red dot, it will give both the coordinates and address of the cell tower. A tech may also type in a site number, such as TN1152 or an address if known, and the information on that site will come up. The information that is on this map will tell the tech not only where the site is located, but what type of site it is and if it is a safe one to travel to at night.
This map details each tech in the south eastern division, all the red dots you see are individual cell towers. Usually a tech is "assigned" (and I use this term loosely) an area of 130 miles from his residence. However, a tech may be called out of his "assigned" area at any given time if necessary.
The technicians rely on this map, which was taken from Streets and Trips. When a tech clicks on a red dot, it will give both the coordinates and address of the cell tower. A tech may also type in a site number, such as TN1152 or an address if known, and the information on that site will come up. The information that is on this map will tell the tech not only where the site is located, but what type of site it is and if it is a safe one to travel to at night.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Cultural Artifacts
This one boggled me for a while, as I wasn't sure what to use as the cultural artifact that would pertain to this. After much thought, I finally decided on the "Work Cell Phone" and the "Work Laptop". While these two may seem common place items in everyday life, they are an essential part of this study for the following reasons:
I. The Job is working on maintaining cell towers
II. The Service Technician relies on both items to communicate with the Office in Orlando, the call center and the clients.
As to the first, being a cell phone and having a laptop that runs internet on a data card which gains access to the internet via the cell tower and the work performed keeps the radio equipment running smoothly so that the cell tower can transmit signals.
As to the second, without these two items there would be no communication as to which towers need service.
I. The Job is working on maintaining cell towers
II. The Service Technician relies on both items to communicate with the Office in Orlando, the call center and the clients.
As to the first, being a cell phone and having a laptop that runs internet on a data card which gains access to the internet via the cell tower and the work performed keeps the radio equipment running smoothly so that the cell tower can transmit signals.
As to the second, without these two items there would be no communication as to which towers need service.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The Library.....not as quiet as one would think.
Sorry for the delay, I have been having technical difficulties that I am not sure if its the end user - me, the net itself (my service stinks) or more than likely a bit of both.
So to test out my fieldworking skills I decided to head down to the library in Kingston Springs. (For one reason is they have working high speed!)
This was not my first visit to the library, I have been here several times since we made our move from Bellevue in August.
At first glance, the library seems quaint, decidely tiny compared to the libraries I am used in Florida! The staff on hand, which consists of 3 older women, above 50 years of age who are all very nice, and chatty. When you walk in there is a sign by the front door letting the public know of current events taking place within that week/month. For instance this time the sign read:
Welcome!
Tuesday Morning Coffee & Chat 10:30
Crochet and Chat on Wednesday! 9:30
Don't forget our annual Book Drive coming in October!
My first thought on this, was Coffee & Chat??? To me this would be better suited at a coffee shop, actual book store or even at the small yarn shop accross the street. This should of forcasted that what my previous experience at a library was not going to be found here.
When you enter the library, you find a circle table full of computers to use in the center of the room, to the right is a small children's section, and a door that leads to an office.To the left is a door along the entrance wall that leads to another office, next to that is the check out desk, followed by a rectangular shaped table full of computers and rows on eash wall of books. Towards the back is a fireplace and a fairly good sized table with 4 chairs that one can actually study at or make use of one's personal computer. Each row of books (there is only 10 total rows) has either a cushon chair or a rocker.
That day I made my way to the back table in front offireplace and preceeded to try and blend into the scenery. There were two people chatting at the circle table about the upcoming High School football game, the check out desk was crowded with several locals discussing the nights events at the local hang out - a pub type place that has music on Thursday nights, and there were 7 people using the other computers.
Quiet? Hardly, this place was as noisy as the local diner on a lunch hour! Cell phones ringing, people talking and laughing. I was a bit taken back by it all. But this is where the locals gather during the day to catch up on gossip and I have to say I felt like I was a child listening in on one of those old time party lines that I used to hear my grandmother talk about.
All in all it was definitly a learning experience and one I think I will greatly enjoy living in a small town. As for going to the library to study -maybe if I take some ear plugs!
So to test out my fieldworking skills I decided to head down to the library in Kingston Springs. (For one reason is they have working high speed!)
This was not my first visit to the library, I have been here several times since we made our move from Bellevue in August.
At first glance, the library seems quaint, decidely tiny compared to the libraries I am used in Florida! The staff on hand, which consists of 3 older women, above 50 years of age who are all very nice, and chatty. When you walk in there is a sign by the front door letting the public know of current events taking place within that week/month. For instance this time the sign read:
Welcome!
Tuesday Morning Coffee & Chat 10:30
Crochet and Chat on Wednesday! 9:30
Don't forget our annual Book Drive coming in October!
My first thought on this, was Coffee & Chat??? To me this would be better suited at a coffee shop, actual book store or even at the small yarn shop accross the street. This should of forcasted that what my previous experience at a library was not going to be found here.
When you enter the library, you find a circle table full of computers to use in the center of the room, to the right is a small children's section, and a door that leads to an office.To the left is a door along the entrance wall that leads to another office, next to that is the check out desk, followed by a rectangular shaped table full of computers and rows on eash wall of books. Towards the back is a fireplace and a fairly good sized table with 4 chairs that one can actually study at or make use of one's personal computer. Each row of books (there is only 10 total rows) has either a cushon chair or a rocker.
That day I made my way to the back table in front offireplace and preceeded to try and blend into the scenery. There were two people chatting at the circle table about the upcoming High School football game, the check out desk was crowded with several locals discussing the nights events at the local hang out - a pub type place that has music on Thursday nights, and there were 7 people using the other computers.
Quiet? Hardly, this place was as noisy as the local diner on a lunch hour! Cell phones ringing, people talking and laughing. I was a bit taken back by it all. But this is where the locals gather during the day to catch up on gossip and I have to say I felt like I was a child listening in on one of those old time party lines that I used to hear my grandmother talk about.
All in all it was definitly a learning experience and one I think I will greatly enjoy living in a small town. As for going to the library to study -maybe if I take some ear plugs!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Field Working Notes
Above are scans of my field note "work book" that I am writing down my notes in. I have also maintained use of my digital recorder, in which I can "note" things that I am observing.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Ethnographic Study for the Fall term.....
Since the first class, this project has been idling away in my brain. Having a broad range of topics floating through and sorting them out with the pros and cons of each has not been an easy task. I am passionate about alot of things; candle making, quilting, reading to name a few. None of these things did I really feel as if I could turn into "major" paper.
Saturday morning when I recieved the email about this blog's topic, my brain went into over drive wondering frantically if I was going to be able to narrow it down to just a few and then choose. I calmed myself down, told myself that its just a preliminary goal and could be changed, albeit soon. (As I do not want to be the student that ended up with no clear paper at the due date!)
That being said, I think I have finally narrowed down a few topics. One being brought to my mind when I was reading Mr. Zollo's Iowa 80, and writing my response in the discussion portion. While truck drivers are a major neccesaity in our culture, so are their wives and families, but I don't really want to write about them. My mind went to the families that are left behind when our soliders depart for war or other assignments that thier families cannot follow along, and more than that cannot be told where thier loved one is going. I am talking about the wives and husbands who sacrafice daily in the honor of our country. They are a society among themselves, with a pecking order and strong traditions.
My other idea has now escaped my mind - which means I have learned a very valuable lesson already from and about fieldworking! NOTES! NOTES NOTES! I am going to close this for the moment and see if I can regroup my line of thought.
I'm back, thoughts back in order.
My second culture type is that of HVAC Technicians and what they call "The Circle of Techs". What is a circle of techs? It is the relationship among the technicians and their code of conduct that is not written in words rather than the unspoken rule of law among them. I thought maybe here I could be able to interview the techs, the managers and either the owner of the company or the highest one I can. For this, I would ak permission from my husband's bosses to follow along and have the techs speak frankly with me. In our culture in the USA, work sub-cultures can become like a family.
My third is along the same lines as the second, dealing with the culture of surgical nurses. These nurses are and have to be detailed oreintated and quick on wit when dealing with surgeries that can go awry and with patients who run the gamet of sweet elderly people down to small, innocent babies.
I think between the three ideas, would make for an interesting project and leave the reader with a sense of appriciation for the subjects.
Saturday morning when I recieved the email about this blog's topic, my brain went into over drive wondering frantically if I was going to be able to narrow it down to just a few and then choose. I calmed myself down, told myself that its just a preliminary goal and could be changed, albeit soon. (As I do not want to be the student that ended up with no clear paper at the due date!)
That being said, I think I have finally narrowed down a few topics. One being brought to my mind when I was reading Mr. Zollo's Iowa 80, and writing my response in the discussion portion. While truck drivers are a major neccesaity in our culture, so are their wives and families, but I don't really want to write about them. My mind went to the families that are left behind when our soliders depart for war or other assignments that thier families cannot follow along, and more than that cannot be told where thier loved one is going. I am talking about the wives and husbands who sacrafice daily in the honor of our country. They are a society among themselves, with a pecking order and strong traditions.
My other idea has now escaped my mind - which means I have learned a very valuable lesson already from and about fieldworking! NOTES! NOTES NOTES! I am going to close this for the moment and see if I can regroup my line of thought.
I'm back, thoughts back in order.
My second culture type is that of HVAC Technicians and what they call "The Circle of Techs". What is a circle of techs? It is the relationship among the technicians and their code of conduct that is not written in words rather than the unspoken rule of law among them. I thought maybe here I could be able to interview the techs, the managers and either the owner of the company or the highest one I can. For this, I would ak permission from my husband's bosses to follow along and have the techs speak frankly with me. In our culture in the USA, work sub-cultures can become like a family.
My third is along the same lines as the second, dealing with the culture of surgical nurses. These nurses are and have to be detailed oreintated and quick on wit when dealing with surgeries that can go awry and with patients who run the gamet of sweet elderly people down to small, innocent babies.
I think between the three ideas, would make for an interesting project and leave the reader with a sense of appriciation for the subjects.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Discourse, of course...
**Please note this Blog, may not all appear at once or may end up being 3 seperate ones. The isp provider I have is experiencing "issues" today. Per my conversations with them earlier, they are working on it.** Shannon
Today is all about Discourse, our assignment find 3 videos showing discourse.
Video One:
Video Two:
Video Three:
I am hoping these show up with no problems. I will add descriptions later since I keep getting booted off the net.
Today is all about Discourse, our assignment find 3 videos showing discourse.
Video One:
Video Two:
Video Three:
I am hoping these show up with no problems. I will add descriptions later since I keep getting booted off the net.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
To Break the Rules or Not Break the Rules; or is it Optional?
The Assignment: What were you taught NEVER to do as a writer? Come up with about two or three such mandates, and write some of your reflections about each one. Was this rule a good one? Are there sound reasons for it? Are there times when you can/should ignore it?
So the above sounds fairly easy, until I went to start writing and my mind drew a blank. The first thing that entered my mind was the use of the comma (,) and the semi-colon (;). I personally have a love/hate relationship with these two pesky tools. I know they are important in writing, letting the reader know when a pause is coming or a list. My problem is I can never remember when I absolutely must have them or the proper use of the colon and semi-colon. I tend to lean heavily on the use of a comma, figuring when I spell check the item being written, spell check will graciously throw the proper one in where it is needed. Not the best philosophy I suppose, but it manges to save me - most of the time.
Another rule of writing that tends to confuse me is making the subject and verb agree with each other, not with a word that comes between them. I have to really stop and think this through, because I tend to think that the proper way sounds "funny", not funny ha ha, but funny as in not correct.
For example, I pulled the following example from a website about the Rules of Writing, see foot note.
Foot Note 1: http://junketstudies.com/joomla/11-rules-of-writing/the-rules/79-rules-of-writing/90-rule07
So the above sounds fairly easy, until I went to start writing and my mind drew a blank. The first thing that entered my mind was the use of the comma (,) and the semi-colon (;). I personally have a love/hate relationship with these two pesky tools. I know they are important in writing, letting the reader know when a pause is coming or a list. My problem is I can never remember when I absolutely must have them or the proper use of the colon and semi-colon. I tend to lean heavily on the use of a comma, figuring when I spell check the item being written, spell check will graciously throw the proper one in where it is needed. Not the best philosophy I suppose, but it manges to save me - most of the time.
Another rule of writing that tends to confuse me is making the subject and verb agree with each other, not with a word that comes between them. I have to really stop and think this through, because I tend to think that the proper way sounds "funny", not funny ha ha, but funny as in not correct.
For example, I pulled the following example from a website about the Rules of Writing, see foot note.
"Incorrect: The girl, along with her classmates, like the new teacher.
Correct: The girl, along with her classmates, likes the new teacher." (FN1)
To me, the first one sounds perfectly fine and I would not have hesitated to write it as such. While I can understand the rule, it is not one that I would promptly find if proofreading a paper. I also think that this is one rule that is consistently broken when writing papers.
The third rule on my list is the use of unnecessary words. While I "get" the fact that when writing, people tend to add in tons of useless words as filler. I think a lot of it is due to the fact that papers have to be so many pages or so many words. While there is ways to go about not using these unnecessary words and presenting a concise, well thought out paper, many are so used to using them it becomes a natural tendency, not only in writing but in speaking as well.
Foot Note 1: http://junketstudies.com/joomla/11-rules-of-writing/the-rules/79-rules-of-writing/90-rule07
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)