EDUC 6145 Week 8 Reflection

 How would you characterize your attitude toward project management and the role it can play on ID projects? How, if at all, has your attitude changed throughout this course?

My attitude about project management has been changed or altered to realize how critical effective efficient project management is to the progress and success of the project. Throughout this course being exposed to the variety of resources and necessary resources to prepare for projects, start and finish projects. Personally I realized my current professional role as college Instructor and Computer Lab Manager that duties of the project manager are done in theses settings. The knowledge gained is a true asset to the success of impacting students, colleagues project teams ID roles and future projects.

·         How do you see project management blending with the instructional design process? How does it apply to the ID context?

Furthermore, project management and the instructional design process parallel or overlap in practice despite having some different terminology. They both require careful detailed planning. Failure to plans results in a plan to fail. The preparation measures taken will pay off before during and after getting the project in motion. Managing the 5 variables, which I was not previously knowledgeable about will help me know the path to travel for future projects. Scope creep although I have experienced it but I did not know what it was called but now I know what to expect since these variable require management in any and all projects

Every Project Requires the Managementof 5 variables: Time, Resources, Expertise, Quality, and Scope(Budrovich) 

Project tasks and responsibilities are measures taken by project managers and Instructional Designers too. Reading much of the content throughout this course reminded me of the instructional design process, specifically the tasks and responsibilities below.

 Project Manager Tasks: Define activites, Identify and engage stakeholders, allocate resources, manage activities, close out the project, plan and execute follow-up and support.  (Stolvich)

Project Manager Responsibilities: Launch the project, manage the different pieces, meet commitments and follow standards. (Stolvich)

·         Whether you are serving as the Project Manager on an ID project, or working with a PM who will manage the project, what skills and competencies would you like to further develop?

Time management skill is something that must always be improved to manage any given situation accordingly. The need to do this is an ongoing task that influences and can very well dictate the success of a project.

.people management skills as well will always be a unique task to tow. “The People Stuff” details the challenges that are often encountered.

Trust Your Judgment

Let Go of Perfectionism

Celebrate the Chaos Within

Embrace the Work Itself

Take the Risk

Just Say No

Listen, Understand, Collaborate

Just Do It!

Consciously Choose Your Attitude

Be the Change You Want to See

(Greer, 5, 2010) 

This will be one of the most valuable resources that were discovered through this course.

·         Provide a specific example of how you will use what you’ve learned in your current job or in a job you anticipate having in the future.

As the lab manager finding more efficient and effective business practices to maintain and enhance the student experience is an ongoing project. Some of the tools discussed and explored are useful in that they will allow me to estimate and figure how much paper is provided and used for printing needs by the student population. The Project Management Minimalist resource clarified elements of project management that were previously unclear. The 10 steps to project success will help me to manage projects issues and work related tasks in more organized manner to care carefully cover all aspects of a project.

Step 1: Define the project concept, then get support and approval.

Step 2: Get your team together and start the project.

Step 3: Figure out exactly what the finished work products will be.

Step 4: Figure out what you need to do to complete the work products. (Identify

tasks and phases.)

Step 5: Estimate time, effort, and resources.

Step 6: Build a schedule.

Step 7: Estimate the costs.

Step 8: Keep the project moving.

Step 9: Handle scope changes.

Step 10: Close out phases, close out the project.                                                                 

  (Greer, 5, 2010) 

This course has broadened and defined my understanding of what consists of project management and how it can be a massive process to perform. Also, “The People Stuff” is so very valuable in helping me management the many people and wide ranging attitudes and personalities encountered continuously throughout the days.

Reference

Greer, M. (2010). The project management minimalist: Just enough PM to rock your projects! (Laureate custom ed.). Baltimore: Laureate Education, Inc.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (n.d.). Project Kickoff. [Media Video].

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (n.d.). Project Management and Instructional Design. [Media Video].

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (n.d.). Practitioner Voices: Barriers to Project Success  [Media Video].

 Portny, S. E., Mantel, S. J., Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., Sutton, M. M., & Kramer, B. E. (2008). Project management: Planning, scheduling, and controlling projects. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Week 6 Blog Assignment (EDUC 6415): Scope Creep Experience

A project that experienced issues related to scope creep was also one that felt much like a roller coaster ride. It was participating the in the production of the Back to Class 2012. B2C is an event where a variety of groups and individuals performed. Singing, dancing, rapping, stepping or speaking is what each performance was composed.  Work began well with the initial core of the planning team. After consulting with the production team for the event, the production team grew in numbers and the scope began to creep. Everyone had a unique addition to include in the show.
There was several specific scope creep issues occurred that occurred.  Specifically the addition of more acts/ participants caused the scope to creep. Instead of keeping things simple of course things were complicated; furthermore the scheduled timeframe was yo-yoed, expanding and constricting throughout the process. At first it was scheduled for only 2 hours then grew to four, but finally settling at three hours in length. Luckily we didn’t have to fight for time because there were no other events scheduled on the date of the event, none before or after it concluded. Then, with the many additions the rehearsal schedule was a challenge to complete because as the event drew closer everyone had to complete rehearsals in order to sequence the acts properly.

How did you or other stakeholders deal with those issues at the time? Although this was stressful for me at times because I was one of the individuals overseeing the production and participating in it as well; however, Stakeholder expectations’ grew; however, they handled the issues well. They did want to be informed about the ongoing status of preparations for the performance. The stakeholders wanted to know the course of action and if the actions were done as promised.

Looking back on the experience now, had I been in the position of managing the project, I could have done to better manage these issues and control the scope of the project by organizing and communicating the plan effectively. Furthermore, completing assumptions related to the production and also schedule preparations well before the production should take place. That year we began preparing later than we should. We began preparing at beginning of summer for the act to take place at the first weekend of the fall. Spring preparations would work better to ensure everything was organized and well put together. Risk assessments and resource allocation plans that were documentable instead of verbal conversations would help to see the plan and stick to it.

Estimating Costs and Allocating Resources

The tasks this week is to find two resources that are useful in estimating costs and allocating resources. Searching blogs websites and computer software, discoveries showed me a number of useful tools that will fulfill this purpose. Microsoft excel and other tools based on excel were found. Google Drive also has a plethora of tools, one specifically is Google spreadsheets. Office.microsoft.com and Google Drive (http://www.google.com/google-d-s/templates_finance.html) both provide tips suggestions and lesson resources and videos for using the budgeting tools with both budgeting tools resource assignments, task settings, pay, and costs can be prepared. Both are very detailed in the resources that allow learning to use

Another sight, referenced on flyheartz.wordpress.com, was Bright Hub. It offers organizing tools and templates to effectively and efficiently carry out the budget and allocation process. It also informs about what should be used and not used.

References

Budget image retrieved from: http://empowerla.org/2014-budget/

 Budget image retrieved from:
           http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/bigstock-Budget-11456087.jpg

Levine, R. (2011). Use our excel project budget template to simply your life. Retrieved

 from http://www.brighthub.com/office/project-management/articles/75727.aspx

Microsoft Project. (2003). 5 steps to prepare your project budget. Retrieved from
            http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/project-help/5-steps-to-prepare-your-project-budget-HA001141182.aspx

Robin (November 29, 2013) ESTIMATING COSTS AND ALLOCATING RESOURCES

 http://flyheartz.wordpress.com/

Communicating Effectively

Effective Communication:

 In the email the first statement is not clears concisely understandable. Wordy, yet clear about what is needed and how it affect all parties included.  The voicemail is clear and easier to listen to what is said vs seeing and reading the email. Written communication skills are a major factor in effective written communication. Voicemail attitude and tonality expresses the need in a polite respectful but important manner. They both are documented communication. Mental documentation takes place in the face to face, unless there is recorded documentation to follow. In the F2f meeting spirit and attitude, tonality and body language improve the message. Facial expression and language are used is effectively communicated to express the needs of the requestor. Spirit, attitude and tonality are effectively communicated in all cases but the auditory and visuals enhance the message.

Working with team members effectively one must be able to create open dialogue that suits team member’s needs. After all “communication is not just the words” (Stolovitch). The Art of Effective Communication multimedia resource shows that each for can be effective. Some are more effective than the other depending on the situation. Some things that can emphasize urgency in the email is increasing the priority of importance and requesting a read receipt. Also the voicemail may or may not get checked, but in the case of the face to face meeting, the face off takes place to see if desired result happen or not.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer) (n.d.). “Communicating with Stakeholders.” [Multimedia

program].Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer) (n.d.). “Project Management

Concerns:  Communication Strategy and Organizational Culture” [Multimedia program].

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer) (n.d.). "Practitioner Voices: Strategies for Working with

Stakeholders." [Multimedia program].

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer) (n.d.). “The Art of Effective Communication.” [Multimedia

program]. Retrieved from

http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6145/03/mm/aoc/index.html

Blog Assignment: Learning from a Project “ Post-mortem”

Experience as a project manager for a phase of a project was a roller coaster of an experience. The communication was effective, all team members did part plus others work.  It was a great team effort. Clearly defined roles for everyone allowed team members to effectively complete individual contributions. One team member failed to complete the portion for finish the assignment for unknown reasons. The other members were able to complete the portion that was not done. We all were able to contribute to complete the required tasks. The normal group size was 4 but the one team had to have five members. The 5th member affected the entire project. Team worked well effectively through all the obstacles that arose from language barriers, time zones and geographic locations.

Starting with four team members would have allowed things to move faster and also likely enhance the final product. The fifth member that ended up leaving the group caused flow to slow down and strain on how to back track to fill gaps that were supposed to be fulfilled by the fifth member.  However the fact that his took place made the project even more gratifying because of the way the team weathered the storm to produce a high quality end result. The obstacles were efficiently resolved to keep project on target for promised due date. That experience has helped me to be interested and aware of understanding scope creep. The project was one interesting exciting and rewarding experience 

Week 8 Reflection: The Radiant Future of Distance Learning

     Distance learning continues to grow evolve and be accepted. The societal forces in the world, and advocates for distance learning, will overwhelm the skeptics of distance education by changing their point of view or by outnumbering and overruling them due to their lack of adapting the ongoing changes of interpersonal communication and education. “The number of students participating in college-level online courses has out-distanced all other forms of distance learning, in a remarkably short amount of time (Waits & Lewis, 2003; Allen & Seaman, 2006 & 2008)” (Gambescia, Paolucci). The skeptics’ inability to adapt will harm some, but distance learning has a radiantly bright future. Reflecting on the magnificent experience of the past eight weeks my assignment is to reflect on the following questions in my reflection
1.  What do you think the perceptions of distance learning will be in the future 5–10 years or 10–20 years?
2.  How can you as an instructional designer be a proponent for improving societal perceptions of distance learning?
3.  How will you be a positive force for continuous improvement in the field of distance education?
     Distance learning will be a way of life today and in the future. 5-10 years from now distance learning will be almost inevitable due to the popularity resourcefulness efficiency and effectiveness. Much like technological advances such as cell phones and smartphones television, cable and the internet( high speed internet), distance learning will be something so widely utilized that it will be virtually unavoidable inevitable to  use because of the reasons previously stated so people feel they cannot do the best possible job without it. This will be due to the fact that distance learning truly gives anybody and everybody willing to learn access to education.  Dr. Siemen (2010) ascertains global diversity as a common trend inside distance education (Laureate, Education, Inc.). In 10-20 years distance learning will be norm for home school and in class education. Since schools constantly are in budget constraints distance learning options will alleviate budget stress and learning facilitation issues. Teachers will take on the roles of facilitator as students engage in learning. The blended learning environment will be a must for developing students. However, there will be those that reject ore refuse to adapt that will miss the importance of distance learning instructional design and technology that may stifle learning for some. So, every ID, instructor, and administrator must remain open and adaptable to ensure that every one has the opportunity to engage in quality learning experiences. The only way to change perception is through the positive application of quality learning experiences.  This will lead to the balanced development of online and face to face methods of learning or the hybrid model that will dominate all levels of learning.
     Improving the societal perceptions of distance learning as an instructional designer will be achieved through the innovative abilities to enhance instruction and learning. Also, discovering new methods and resources to facilitate the enhancement of future generations is another way to support distance learning as an instructional designer. Maintaining the interest and engagement of students is a key focus to show the effectiveness of distance education. The distance models will positive societal perception though influencing the educational perception will critical. By realizing how society communicates the educational setting will have to catch up by broadening their perspective of learning. Having apps and mobile sites features offered at traditional colleges and universities will be a must to attract students. In the next 10 to 20 years millennial presence will influence utilization of the abundantly useful technology resources.
     Continuing to possess true curiosity to learn will allow me to make a quality contribution to the improvement of online learning field. Maintaining a thirst for experiencing knowledge through different modes of learning to be aware of the vast resources available enhance my ability to improve instruction. Remaining connected and informed through blogs and educational journals will keep me current on relevant knowledge and changes taking place in the field. This feeds my passion to innovate create and improve learning and instruction.
     While it is important to interact and be a part of a learning community being able to have a connection with others is manageable. Also the individual learner’s ability to self-evaluate and motivate to have a clear understanding is one thing that distance learning develops. It gives the individual learner the chance to know what is the ability or capability to achieve or succeed. Furthermore, as an instructional designer remaining in tune with the needs wants realizations and suggestions of learners will show me how to effectively enhance learning, efficiently streamline task completion and communication and ADDIE learning tools and resources.
The growing acceptance can be summarized as the points articulated by George Siemens in the image below:

Distance learning will be impacted by the factors articled by Siemens and illustrated below:

Further, the Triple helix model, referenced by Siemens, where universities, business and government form a strand of interaction to provide and equip students in the online environment will make the acceptance transition comforting. Making the learner comfortable is the key to continuing to have the world adapt and accept distance learning.

References
Gambescia, S., & Paolucci, R. (2009). Academic fidelity and integrity as attributes of university
online degree program offerings. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration,
12(1). Retrieved from
http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/spring121/gambescia121.html
Schmidt, E., & Gallegos, A. (2001). Distance learning: Issues and concerns of distance learners. Journal of Industrial Technology, 17(3). Retrieved fromhttp://atmae.org/jit/Articles/schmidt041801.pdf
Siemens, George. The Future of Distance Education, ( n.d.) Laureate 2010
Waits, T. & Lewis, L. ( 2003).  Distance Education at Degree-Granting Postsecondary
Institutions: 2000–2001. (NCES 200-017). U.S. Department of Education. Washington,
DC: National Center for Education Statistics.

Converting Learning Format

Converting Learning Format
What are some of the pre-planning strategies the trainer needs to consider before converting his program? The course must clearly define the online features from the face to face features of the course. Next, assessing the abilities of the participating learners technology level of comfort and ability must be determine through surveying. The available course resources trained and prepared facilitators, the location and time must be thoroughly detailed to ensure quality learning experience is produced.
“With the introduction and proliferation of instructional technologies, equivalency based on time in the classroom is of minimal relevance to learners and instructors who supplement educational opportunities through technology. (Watkins & Schlosser, 2000a, p.1)” (Picciano, and Dziuban 231). This could be the mindset of the trainer.
What aspects of his original training program could be enhanced in the distance learning format?
The original training manual books and resources could be electronically published for easy accessibility.  Discussion and engaging activities allow those that may not be vocal in a face to face setting to speak out and express opinions on any topic. “The more equivalent the learning experiences of online learners are to those of local learners, the more equivalent the outcomes of the educational experiences for all learners” (Simonson, 1995, p. 12)” (Picciano, and Dziuban 232). Striving for an equivalent experience is more manageable than trying to duplicate the currently outdated face to face format.
How will his role, as trainer, change in a distance learning environment?
The role of trainer will also entail fulfilling the duties of facilitator and designer. The trainer will likely need to carry out and ADDIE or AEIOU process too. This will inform the trainer on how much work and effort is required to successfully convert the course into a quality training option.
What steps should the trainer take to encourage the trainees to communicate online?
Exploring researched resources will allow expanding perspective and increasing intellectual knowledge about blended learning. One specific resource to study is a module by Larry Ragan entitled Best Practices in Online Teaching-Pulling It All Together- Teaching Blended Learning Courses. It along with Blended Learning Research Perspectives, as well as other resources, gives quality insight about the blended learning environment

• Change lecture sessions to online discussion meetings
• Offer interactive, online contents and computer based assessment
• Offer collaborative and applied learning situations for students

Moreover, the constant effective communication to maintain engagement and not isolate students and balancing the face to face and asynchronous or synchronous discussions must be carefully planned.
Best Practices Steps should entail:
Thorough planning and development by utilizing the ADDIE or AEIOU process
Clear Effective Communication by utilizing discussion email and chat apps.
Student focused learning will ensure course is designed with the learner in mind.
Technology balance will ensure equivalence within the blended hybrid model of learning

 

http://prezi.com/qlgkwlgivnwd/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

 

References

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance; Foundations of distance education (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson, Inc.

Dziuban, C., Picciano, A. G. Blended Learning  Research Perspective. Retrieved from http://elab.learningandteaching.dal.ca/dalblend2013-files/blended-learning-research-perspectives-book.pdf on 12/14/13

Ragan, Larry (2007), Best Practices in Online Teaching-Pulling It All Together- Teaching Blended Learning Courses. Retrieved from http://cnx.org/content/m15048/latest/ on 12/14/13

Piskurich, G., Facilitating online learning. [Video Production]. Laureate Education, Inc. [Producer].