Resources for Forum 5.7:

Changing Public Behavior, Sample Workshop Materials. Assessment worksheets: Interviewing skills; Observation skills; Participatory action research techniques. Pages 21 – 40. Also found at  http://fyi.uwex.edu/wateroutreach/changing-public-behavior/cpb-workshops/.

Practicum: Interviewing Skills

Resource:

Changing Public Behavior Workshop Materials, Assessment worksheets: Interviewing Skills.

PROBLEM: Your colleagues are working to improve the focus of their outreach initiatives to more effectively target behavior change. Discuss the experience with one or two of your colleagues. Find out how they are doing. What barriers to applying behavior change theories are they experiencing? What successes have they experienced?

DIRECTIONS: Read the background information, Informal Interview with Key Informants. Write 2 – 3 interview questions to ask your colleagues. For example: What do you currently do in your outreach efforts to encourage changes in behavior?

ACTIVITY:

1. Conduct a short interview with 2 colleagues, using the same questions for each.

2. What did you learn? How would you modify your questions for the next time?

Post your sample interview questions. Summarize your results. How could you use this skill in your work?

Practicum: Observation Skills

Resource:

Changing Public Behavior Workshop Materials, Assessment worksheets: Observation Skills.

PROBLEM: Your colleagues are working to improve the focus of their outreach initiatives to more effectively target behavior change.

DIRECTIONS: Review information on conducting a social assessment using structured observation, found in the sample workshop materials. Then use observation to identify evidence that one or more professional development experiences are helping your colleagues achieve their goals.

ACTIVITY

1. Identify 2 – 3 behaviors to observe. For example: a) Your colleague is reading background materials and using the Behavior Change Planning Tool. b) In conversations with colleagues, your colleague offers ideas for how to apply behavior change strategies.

2. Choose a method for selecting your sample

3. Observe at least 2 colleagues. Use the chart in the worksheet to record your observations.

Post a description of your process. Summarize your results. How could you use this skill in your work?

Practicum: Participatory Action Research Skills

Resource:

Changing Public Behavior Workshop Materials, Assessment worksheets: Participatory action research techniques

PROBLEM: Practice designing a participatory learning activity that would engage your participants in learning about a concern you identify (such as identifying potential stormwater management concerns on the property surrounding your office or meeting location)

DIRECTIONS: Review attached background information about participatory action learning, found in the sample workshop materials. From among the participatory techniques described in the background information, select one that could be applied to your situation:

• Verbal-Oriented
• Semi-structured Interviews (SSI)
• Focus Groups
• Visual-Oriented
• Diagramming and Visualizations
• Ranking and Scoring Methods

ACTIVITY:

1. Imagine that you would conduct the action research next week. Describe how you would organize the action research activity and who would participate:

a) Planning team –

b) Participants –

c) Technique for inviting participants –

d) Steps for the activity –

2. Describe how you would use the results

Post a description of your process. Summarize your results. How could you use this skill in your work?