Experiences in cross cultural action research and the use of online interviews and social media.

What experiences and lessons can be learned from cross-cultural action research?  Colorado Technical University worked in partnership with a nonprofit group to provide assessment, strategy assistance and intervention design for their ongoing computer donation program which provided 300+ computers to schools, libraries, health centers, and prisons in Nicaragua.  The participants traveled to Nicaragua for one week to observe, study and collect data.  An online course was designed and implemented extend the “live classroom” atmosphere in the country.  The online part of the blended course provided discussion forums, readings, materials, and applications, pertaining to the implications of cross cultural research and the practice of assessment observations, interviews and data collection techniques.  New online interview techniques and Facebook  were used for contacting participants and sharing experiences during and after the week of data gathering.  After an intensive week long “residency” in which students and faculty member lived, travelled and worked together in a 24/7 atmosphere, the students decided to work as a team and divide the labor for the course deliverables:  a report to the “client” who provided and maintained the computers in Nicaragua and a publishable paper to a professional journal.  The faculty member found that there was also a need for a “lessons learned” approach for future trips.  This “lesson learned” approach is entitled “My New Job Description”.