About two weeks ago we launched a Zoomerang survey to collect feedback information from participants who attended the Foundation’s RYOL Lecture by Nicholas Carr on February 17th, 2012. Mr. Carr spoke about his 2010 book The Shallows—What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains. As mentioned in my February 24th, 2012, post, Mr. Carr’s lecture was well attended and well received. In this post I’d like to briefly cover the results of the Zoomerang survey. We sent out 25 survey invites and we received 19 completed surveys. Not too shabby. Thanks to all who participated in the survey. We will definitely use your thoughts to guide our efforts as we put together the next RYOL Lecture.
If you would like to take a look at bar charts that tally the scale results (i.e., “using the scale provided please rate the following:”), click on the following link:
Here’s a sampling of the types of responses we received to the open-ended questions in the survey:
1) The following sentence sums up the “jewel” of information I picked up by attending this lecture…
• “I was drawn by the historical progression of thought, because most of us don’t clock it that way, and why it was important to our current culture, and why that isn’t happening now: What will happen to us/our culture tomorrow?”
• “Achieving balance in the face of the most addictive technologies the world has ever seen is ever more paramount in remaining human and retaining our humanity, especially for our children and for the sake of all future communities and environments.”
• “We are in the midst of a historic transformation in human beings as a species and we need to pay attention and take constructive action to minimize the destructive effects of the new communications technology.”
• “How Internet use discourages sustained attention.”
2) Here are my initial thoughts about how I will begin the process of applying this information to the work I do personally or at my agency…
• “Many of our clients do not have access to the Internet due to lack in income to support connections. But I will certainly begin to consider the impact on children and families as the access increases.”
• “I will personally be more aware of switching attention and therefore plan to keep my focus longer on tasks. At my agency I will support switching off devices and spend time in prolonged contemplation.”
• “Awareness of these issues helps me respond to psychotherapy clients when their Internet/Social Networking use comes up in therapy.”
• “The internet is a valuable tool with some pitfalls. Knowing the way many use the Internet should guide the development of our website. I will continue to consider my personal use and office use of the Internet. I have already set my agency’s website as the default web site when on login—it is static and it reminds me of our mission and purpose.”
3) Please feel free to add any additional comments concerning Nicholas Carr’s lecture…
• “It was concise and well presented. I found the Q&A session to be very helpful. I also found the slides to be appropriate and helpful as well. I’m still thinking about Carr’s idea that as goes deep thinking, so too cultural forms like art, literature, critical thinking, etc. Very scary stuff.”
• “Mr. Carr is a very good speaker and easy to understand given a very complex topic. I look forward to reading his book and several friends can’t wait to borrow it!”
• “As I said in the Q&A, I respect and appreciate Nicholas’ scholarship as well as thoughtfulness and eloquence. His work is important. Thank you for bringing him to NM.”
• “I was enthralled to put it mildly. Since computers do not play a major role in my life, I have never given these subjects much thought. History was my field and when he tied the past (map, clock, etc.) to the subject, he held my attention completely.”
• “The whole day was super smooth and informative and comfortable and successful. It ended too quickly for me!”
4) Please feel free to add any additional comments concerning the RYOL Lecture Series process and format…
• “Even if other nonprofits don’t use the format, FHL Foundation can certainly try to keep doing it, assuming there is money and time for the planning.”
• “Very well organized and thoughtful as to the listener’s experience. I would have appreciated a bit more time to get to know the other attendees, perhaps by taking some time away from Q&A, which was just directed at Nicholas, and discouraged group interaction.”
• “I really appreciate the opportunity that the RYOL [format] will give non-profits, I think it is a very needed resource for community providers.”
• “Highly efficient vis-a-vis use of our time. Very warm and congenial approach. Outstanding hospitality.”
• “I’d love to come up with a good concept for a RYOL Lecture, and will be giving it thought.”
5) Please feel free to add any additional comments concerning the Flying Star meeting facility…
• “Given how many people they had to serve, I thought the [Flying Star wait staff] performed admirably. The menu is perfect for a wide variety of folks.”
• “I generally like the food that Flying Star prepares. I thought the menu items offered were good. Good cookies!”
• “The lunch was delicious and the service was great. Everything flowed very smoothly.”
6) Please feel free to add any additional overall comments concerning your experience at the FHL Foundation’s RYOL Lecture Series featuring Nicholas Carr…
• “My experience was excellent. My feedback for improvement would be that I could have used a printed version of the PowerPoint [slides]. Other than that its was all terrific.
• “I am especially grateful for the executive summary (summaries) and the bibliography, which enable these arguments to be spread and sustained.”
• “An incredible gift to nonprofits!”
• “Looking forward to the next one!”
Again, thanks for taking time to complete our Zoomerang feedback survey. As always, if you have any questions or comments concerning any part of our Nicholas Carr RYOL Lecture, please feel free to use the Contact Us link above (or hit your reply button if reading by email). And if you have an idea for a future RYOL Lecture, to paraphrase the infamous Dr. Frazier Crane … we’re listening.
