Creating Diagnostic Models with the Understand Guide

I met with Ryan to create the diagnostic model.  In preparation for our meeting, he provided a brief summary of a session.  He discussed the session using the document as a reference to help me create a diagnostic model of a typical LUCO session.  The session began with an online assessment, moved to a full day of classroom information, activities and a great amount of dialogue.  It concluded with a homework assignment intended for self reflection.

Facilitating the Discover Step - Lessons Learned

The discover step was very informative for me in regards to my LUCO project.   The project goal is to rewrite the program competencies, identify key topics to support each competency, loosely define assessments, identify 1-2 speakers for each competency AND make certain that the each compliments but does not contradict or repeat what might be provided in another leadership program.  

The first meeting started with a jump directly into the assessments, topics and speakers.  It quickly became apparent that the focus was jumping too far ahead and it opened the committee up to random thoughts and conversations.  We were off task and running out of time. 

I have been through all three leadership programs at UCO and I entered the discussion with my prior knowledge and experience having several biases.   First, my experience in the programs does not match with the intended sequence and goals of the current programs.   I experienced repetition in all three programs both in the competencies and key speakers.  I did not perceive a big difference in the programs.  It is important to note that I was invited to the first meeting prior to the beginning this as a LEDx project in this course and still, I found myself applying the steps throughout that first meeting.   I contacted Fran Petties and Ryan Kolb following the meeting and asked if I could use LUCO as my project.  They were both excited and welcomed the opportunity. 

The discover stage helped me identify several immediate problems or challenges.  It brought into focus the need or the primary goal for LUCO and helped to initiate the first steps toward a more clearly defined goal. 

Looking back on the experience, I wish that I had gone into the first meeting with the project in mind.  I know I would have been more observant and would have gathered more critical information.