EDTEC 684: Project Management

Dr. James Marshall

marshall@mail.sdsu.edu

Fall, 2007

Note: Dr. Marshall will be away August 1 through 24.  Email will receive a response after August 24.

Contents

 

Course Overview

The purpose of EDTEC 684 is to provide the basics of project management and understand how it is employed in the world of Instructional Design.  School teachers who are responsible for setting up a network or conducting in-service workshops, technical writers who have to complete a help manual, graphic artists who have three months to complete the art work for a software program, and instructional designers involved in designing training manuals are all examples of people who will benefit from this course.

To help contextualize the concepts and skills needed for project management, you will be asked to deign and plan for management of an instructional design effort.  To accomplish these tasks, you will contribute to a team to brainstorm solutions and create a work plan that includes a timeline, staffing plan, and budget. Your team will present its proposal to the class.  In addition, you will learn how to deal with pressing team issues that often confound project managers, and conduct in-depth research into a specific area of project management.

 

Online Students

EDTEC 684 is offered in both online and on-campus sections.  Depending on the enrollment figures for a given semester, your instructor may choose to integrate course content and assignments across courses.  This means campus-based students may find themselves working alongside distance students, and vice-versa, on projects and assignments.  However, only students enrolled through the College of Extended Studies will be allowed to complete all coursework at a distance.

To facilitate communication between the instructor, campus students and students at a distance, the following requirements are necessary to participate in EDTEC 684 online:


Distance students must attend the first class session, Thursday, August 30 at 4:45 PM with a working connection to Breeze, capable of sending and receiving audio broadcast.

These requirements will be strictly enforced without any exceptions.   Once again, please note that all online students must be available each Thursday between 4:45 and 6:45 PM for the EDTEC 684 synchronous component. 

To check your computer's compatibility for Macromedia Breeze, please access the following page: 

http://www.adobe.com/products/breeze/productinfo/meeting/meeting_intro.html

Course Competencies

During EDTEC 684, students will:

§         Describe and instantiate how project management relates to instructional design.

§         Assess your own comfort level with taking risks.

§         Identify your managerial styles.

§         Apply communication techniques in a team situation.

§         Establish relevant goals for a project.

§         Write a proposal outlining the need, proposed work plan, and estimated cost.

§         Create a project schedule with appropriate milestones.

§         Create a staffing plan.

Course Texts

Aztec Shops, the campus bookstore, has all necessary information regarding course texts.  Visit the bookstore for the current booklist here.

Example Course Assignments
(final assignment details for a given semester will be provided in Week 01 of class)

Request for Proposal - Working in teams, students will research, analyze and author a Request for Proposal (RFP).  This detailed document will describe, in detail, an instructional technology project – from the perspective of a project sponsor.

Initial Project Overview (RFP Response) - Working in teams, students will respond to an assigned RFP.  The initial project proposal will identify and provide the rationale as to why a project needs management, a description of risks and how they will be managed, a description of the customers and their characteristics, and a description of how you plan to ensure customer satisfaction.

Project Schedule, Timeline, Budget, Workflow, Q&A Plan - Each team will create various project management plans, tools and documentation. 

Project Management Tool Creation - With respect to the content and materials in the course, each student is expected to create a job aid tool which will support some aspect of a project manager's work.  A briefing describing the job aid, it's development and content, will accompany the developed tool.

Final Project Proposal - Based upon the work completed in previous semester components, and using the feedback provided by the instructor and peers, students will submit a comprehensive project proposal.

Proposal Pitch - Each team will give a formal presentation of their proposal to their peers.  This will be a professional presentation, enhanced with technology where appropriate and effective, that is designed to inform and “sell” the agency on your proposal.