The purpose of this project work has come out of necessity. In the district where I teach, we do not have a curriculum that fits the needs of all learners. We have a grade level curriculum where approximately sixty percent of our learners receive appropriate level instruction. We have several advanced programs including Advanced Placement (AP) classes and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes, which serve approximately thirty percent of our population. The leftover ten percent of students are not able to keep up with grade level math classes. For years, they have been given a watered down version of grade level materials, but this is not adequate. According to our state mandated tests, these students are not only not proficient in mathematics; they are not making the year of annual growth that is to be expected. It is unacceptable that a student does not make a year of growth and this lies firmly on what instructional strategies and materials these students are exposed to.
The project will be considered a success if a curriculum is evaluated and purchased for high school students that will be useful and viable in the classroom. The project manager will make this project a success because of the work that they will do to facilitate the review of curriculum. The project manager will set norms and have specific guidelines for teachers to look at as they are reviewing each curriculum.
Gene,
ReplyDeleteThe project or need that you describe is a need that I believe is apparent in most classrooms and school systems. It seems that some group of students fall through the cracks each year despite the effort of teachers to handle the variety of instructional levels incorporated into one classroom. I was not clear on the outcome of the project. Was it a success? Did the project have a project manager or was a group of teachers expected to handle the project in their free time (which they never have in the school year). If the teachers were handling the project, then that is the first big red flag. Teachers should be considered as subject matter experts and help a project team in the development of the curriculum for this category of learners. The school needed to hire or contract an instructional designer to design and develop this instruction. As Stolovich stated in the video resource, “Project management is the process that allows instructional designers to do their work” (Stolovich, n.d.). What aspects of the project do you feel were performed successfully? What could have been done differently?
The post-mortem assignment provided me with the ability to look back at a particular project with a new perspective and the knowledge that we have gained from the course resources thus far. I have found this task to be very enlightening and useful for the course project. Although I was not a project manager and I did not even know the terms, I realized that I was attempting to perform many of the same duties. Did you have the same experience?
I enjoyed reading your blog this week.
Reference:
Stolovich, H. (Speaker). (n.d.). Project management and instructional design. [Video podcast]. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5693702&Survey=1&47=7253860&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1
I had a similar reaction to each of the delivery methods. I agree that the email seemed rushed and written in a more personal style, and could have been perceived like Jane has been waiting forever for this report. I truly like the voicemail better than the face to face because it came across as less judgmental, where as the face to face delivery had some body language that could have been misconstrued. Jane pointed her finger and used voice inflection/intonation with the word ‘your’.
ReplyDeleteAs Audrea’s posted, http://travelingtechnicaltrainer.blogspot.com/, “that is what I said but that is not what I meant.” She also reminded us of Stolovitch’s comments about how communication is influenced by spirit and attitude, tonality and body language, timing, and personality of the recipient.
I still agree with you that face-to-face is a preferred communication method because it is two-way communication. The sender can observe the receiver and ensure the message is being received appropriately and correctly and then it allows for the sender to alter or adjust the message based on the receiver’s response. In other words, the receiver and sender can see and experience more of the communication influences Stolovitch listed.
As we venture into a flatter world (more global), how would a PM overcome or counter the lack of being able to meet face-to-face? In other words, what are some things the PM could do to virtually manage a project and project team?
Stolovitch, H (n.d.). Communicating with Stakeholders. [Video] Available: Laureate Education, Inc.