To: Diane Keyes
From: Brian Wang
Date: October 16, 2019
Subject: Peer Review of Proposal for determining the necessary components of a facilitation training for all UWC Short Course coordinators
Dear Diane,
This is a an interesting proposal that could be very impactful for many aspiring youth. I have included below my initial thought as well as specific comment related to each section of your proposal.
Initial Impression
Overall a very strong proposal in attempting to address a hard problem. The language of the proposal is concise and descriptive. At times it was hard for me, a non-expert in facilitation, to understand previous research performed. However I was able to easily understand the problem and identify the need for a uniformed best practice report which shows the quality of your work
It is a complex problem you are seeking to quantify and I find the specific beneficiary of the report unclear. The audience for this report at times sounded like it is intended for upper level staff of United World Colleges preparing for expansion but other times it sounds like it serves as a handbook for future event facilitators for training.
Organization
Formatting is consistent throughout the proposal followed by appropriate and relevant content. The use of italic on magic for emphasis is consistent as well as the effective use of acronym in its plural form.
Introduction
A lot of information was conveyed in the introduction section and was effectively laid out. However it was confusing to keep track of the main problem as the past research findings were quite detailed and overwhelming. This made it difficult to identify the causation of the ‘magic’ problem. Maybe consider condensing past research into one paragraph to briefly discuss the complexity of creating the ‘magic’. While keeping emphasis on skills needed of SC coordinators which leads to your statement of problem.
Statement of Problem
Clear description of the problem, current gap in the operation and the need for a guidance for expansion. Effective demonstration of the different skill level of SC facilitators by providing facilitator’s previous experience.
Proposed Solution
Proposed solution is well written and it seems like you have a clear direction you want to pursue. Clarification on the experience of ‘magic’ is effective in showing how your work will fit in with solving the problem.
Scope
Clear boundary of the report and answering these questions will be essential for the facilitation training of SC coordinators. Good choice of guiding questions.
Methods
Primary and secondary sources are clear. Maybe consider a survey to past students to enrich your primary sources as I am not sure you can use your own work as primary sources.
Qualifications
You definitely seem qualified for this role as your abundance experience in facilitation speaks for itself. Your anthropological methods and previous research performed on this topic will be useful skill in addressing this problem.
Conclusion
The conclusion is a great summary of the need of a solution to a complex problem and the previous work performed on this topic. Elaboration on the previous work is reasonable and clear.
Grammar
I was not able to pick up any grammar mistakes.
Concluding Comments
Overall a very strong proposal that addresses a need for changing UWC’s event facilitation operation. Your expertise in the topic is apparent and can be easily seen through the proposal. Please consider the following suggestions for revision:
- Consider removing details that might distract the reader in identifying the importance/need of your work
- Consider adding another primary data source in survey form that extends outside of the facilitator circle or even outside of the organization
- Consider the intended audience whom the report will benefit. Express that early and keep that point of view consistent.
This is great work and I wish you best of luck in your research! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions regarding my comments.
Link to Diane’s Proposal: https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-99a-2019wa/2019/10/10/proposal/
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