Educational Technology Integrated Project Presentation on Conversion of a Program Management Course to Online

Course Conversion Blacktop From face-to-face instruction to online Compiled by Vickie J. Maris Lifelong Learner

Converting traditional (classroom) course to online
To serve learners seeking academic credit and learners seeking continuing education units (CEUs)
To respond directly to needs expressed by Indiana manufacturing community
To help solve learners’ needs for more accessibility to learning
To be scalable and contribute to financially

Engineering Professional Education
Division at Purdue University, academic unit, self-sustaining through registrations for courses
Master’s degrees at a distance for practicing engineers
Flexible, customized (MS, MSE)
404 degree seeking students
107 MS degrees awarded/year
Short courses and seminars for professional development
On-site, on campus, online, blended and self-study
495 enrollments in most recent fiscal year (08)

Impetus for course conversion
College of Engineering Strategic Plan at Purdue addresses global education and engagement (outreach) in a more focused way
Two grant sources
US Department of Labor – workforce development
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation – blended learning
Integrated project for master’s program in Educational Technology
A need to be ready for our future lifelong learners

An observation of technology uses along the sidewalks of Purdue University
5 minutes on the sidewalk between classes under the Purdue bell tower
Photos taken: Sept. 28, 2007

Teaching of traditional, in-campus-classroom master’s degree courses in engineering
Video recording of above courses in ProEd studio classrooms for delivery via VHS, then streaming, and now mpg4 file for download
Exploring the use of credit courses to satisfy needs of learners needing CEUs
Journey of the course delivery format in ProEd

ME 513 draws 13 non-credit learners in Fall 2007 (along with those taking course for 3 credits)
ME 613 in Spring 2008 with same cohort group of non-credit learners

Indiana manufacturers express needs for easily-accessible courses that cut across technical specialties and cover soft skills
Existing short course in Program/Project Management is selected as a candidate for course conversion

Rapid Prototyping Model (Tripp and Bichelmeyer, 1990) Speedy way to get through a costly process of developing complex materials – gain feedback during design process Face-to-face, traditional course Use video lectures to asynchronously delivery f-2-f course in online format Face-to-face, traditional course Face-to-face, traditional course Use video lectures as one instructional element of a course converted for online, asynchronous delivery Use video lectures to asynchronously delivery f-2-f course in online format Use video lectures as one instructional element of a course converted for online, asynchronous delivery

Characteristics of instructor that made this course conversion successful in pilot offering
Polished content expert with constant craving for more knowledge
General interest in technology and specifically, an interest in technology tools for teaching
Flexible
Willing attitude to try, fail, try again
Unconcerned about compensation piece

Title
Instructor, Dr. Mitch Springer, PMP, SPHR –experienced teaching Program Management in face-to-face format
Content, analysis, design, syllabus, assessment in state of readiness for conversion
Manufacturing partners had interest in employees taking course online

Course objectives
Develop a basic understanding of the key concepts, theories and methodologies applicable to program and project management
Become more cognizant of what is required to take the Project Management Institute (PMI) PMP Certification exam
Demonstrate assimilated knowledge through applied exercises

Analysis Learning Contexts Learners Learning task Write test items Strategy Determine - Organizational Strategies - Delivery strategies - Management strategies Write and produce instruction Evaluation Conduct formative evaluation Revise instruction Smith, P.L, Ragan, T.J., (1999). Instructional Design , Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Behaviorists – focus on conducting a task analysis to identify the subskills that must be mastered in order to master the target behavior (Duebel, 2003)
Cognitivists – dominant theorists influencing instructional design practice; cognitivism frequently appears compatible with central tenets of constructivism
Constructivists – view knowledge, not as something outside the learner, but as something constructed by the learner as they try to make sense of the world (Driscoll, 2000)
Learning theory transition during project

5 Star Instructional Design Rating by M. David Merrill
One star for each – Problem, Activation, Demonstration, Application and Integration
Problem – Courseware presented in context of real world?
Activation – Courseware attempt to activate relevant prior knowledge or experience?
Demonstration – Courseware demonstrate what is to be learned rather than merely tell information about what is to be learned?
Application – Do learners have opportunity to practice and apply newly-acquired knowledge or skill?
Integration – Does courseware encourage learners to integrate new knowledge into their everyday life?

Review syllabus and reorder layout of modules for taping

Budget and timeline established
Blog established in Blogger to help promote the course to prospective participants – www.purduespringer.blogspot.com
Participants recruited for live taping
Videotaping of the course lectures in the Potter studio classroom took place in May 2008 in between Spring and Summer Semester taping schedules
Blackboard chosen as course management system since it is standard to Purdue; designer had experience with Blackboard
Syllabus reworked to include learning events that would incorporate knowledge of cohort as well as instructor
Converting course to online

Establishing swift trust can be a foundation for collaborative learning (Hiltz, 2005) – informal bios as first assignment
Attention to individual and collective learner identity may also help promote learner-centered pedagogical approaches in asynchronous teaching and learning
Drawing from the literature

Explicit instructions included for registering for course in Blackboard
Speedy book review assignment for engaging learner in the content and creation of a class-produced resource collection
Discussion questions to build community and further engage learners with content
Creating a syllabus to engage credit and non-credit learners in the same online course

GRADES / CEUs Table developed for syllabus 1.2 CEUs 1 academic credit Credit or CEUs for successful completion of course 100 pts 100 pts  Final Exam  Response to Speedy Book Reviews Up to 5 extra credit points  Speedy Book Review  Participate in online threaded discussion in Blackboard  View recorded video lectures (streaming or mpg4 for download)  Post an online introduction document in Blackboard Non-Credit Students (potential to earn 1.2 CEUs – continuing education units) Credit Students (potential to earn 1 academic credit) Checklist of activities for credit and non-credit students in Program Management: A Comprehensive Overview

Purpose is to collaboratively create a list of resources on topic of Program Management
Instructions:
Select a topic from list posted in Blackboard (or suggest your own)
Do online searches to find books, textbooks, research publications or articles on the topic
Write a one-page summary of the resource you selected in your chosen topic area
Post in assignment section in Blackboard (assignments will be moved to a folder for everyone to access)
Comment in discussion board on at least two other assignments
Speedy book review assignment added

Discussion Question #1 – After Week #2 lectures One of the first activities of the Program/Project Management process is the definition of the work to be performed. We refer to the work as requirements. Requirements, as you recall, generally fall into one of two categories: (1) stated, and (2) derived. The success of our program is frequently directly linked to how well we can identify and further define the requirements before we actually begin the work. Failure to adequately define the requirements can lead to significant rework, wasted effort, schedule slips and cost overruns. Question – If you would, describe a situation where not having all of the requirements adequately defined in advance of the effort caused you rework, wasted effort or general inefficiencies.
Sample discussion question

Excerpt from schedule in syllabus Speedy Book Review posted by midnight or earlier. This is the revised deadline due to technical issues with Blackboard. Thursday, July 24, 2008 Continue viewing (or reviewing) of lectures. Remember to check online threaded discussions and contribute to the postings. Monday, July 21, 2008 Week 3 Speedy Book Review posted by midnight or earlier. (See revised deadline – 7/24/08) Friday, July 18, 2008 Continue viewing (or reviewing) of lectures. Remember to check online threaded discussions and contribute to the postings. Monday, July 14, 2008 Week 2 Topics for Speedy Book Review have been selected by students and instructor has been informed of selections. Thursday, July 10, 2008 Post your online introduction document by midnight on July 9, 2008. Wednesday, July 9, 2008 Online class begins ( http:// blackboard.purdue.edu ) Download a sample file of a student introduction and begin working on your own introduction to post. Review syllabus and take-home exam. Review DQs in Discussion Question area of Blackboard classroom. Review topics available for Speedy Book Review. View: Recorded lectures will be available for viewing. If you would prefer to pace your viewing of lectures throughout the month, then please refer to the document with the suggested schedule for lecture viewing. Monday, July 7, 2008 Week 1

Suggested viewing schedule - recorded lectures Week 1 The Bigger Picture – Importance of program management Contract Types – Process management; types of contracts The Bidding Process – Obtaining a price quote; identify project; project scope statement Week 2 Defining the Work Scheduling Techniques – Scheduling and staffing the work Example Projects – Identify stated and derived requirements; generate work breakdown structure (WBS); responsibility assignment matrix; master schedule; human resource plan Week 3 Risk Management – Identify 3 significant risks; analysis to handling charts Disruptive Technologies Cost Control and Project Management Professional Certification Overview – Management cost/schedule control system; PMP review Week 4 Project Management Professional (Review) – PMP Review Qualitative Side of Project Management Part 1 – Understanding the multiple generations in our workplace Qualitative Side of Project Management Part 2 – Tying it all together

Survey responses – what improvements could we make to course?

Survey responses – tell us what went well

Survey responses – benefits to online course

Use different video setup to allow instructor more flexibility during recording – ability to move around room more and interact with learners attending live taping while also addressing online audience
Design a plan for faculty development on converting courses to online (practice in course management system ahead of time)
Design a course element that would further engage students to interact with each other (almost seemed as if course was too short in order for students to develop sense of online learner community)
Summary – things to do differently

Very regular communication between students and instructor; students and instructional designer/TA
Students participated at 100% rate in first assignment of submitting informal bio online in CMS
Students seem to appreciate getting to self-select a topic for Speedy Book Review
Stating the expectations of the credit and non-credit learners in the same classroom proved feasible and uncomplicated for this course
Instructor very open to use of new technology tools for teaching (role model for future course conversions with other instructors)
Summary – things that went well

Several topics and opportunities have stemmed from this project
Modules that cover the four generations in the workforce today were of great interest to students and their employers – now being taught as a 2-hour seminar by Vickie Maris and also as a full day workshop by instructor, Dr. Mitch Springer
Program Management topic was well-received and is being expanded for Summer 2009 as a 2- and 3-credit online course
A new RFP is being designed for recruiting instructors/topics for the short course lineup of Engineering Professional Education that more closely resembles the Program Management model (live tapings if course requires lectures; CMS and other online tools; participants will be able to start online anytime
Summary – things that went well (continued)

Blogging ideas for online course design www.reachlearners.blogspot.com

Where to find the slides www.slideshare.net www.linkedin.com Contact: Vickie J. Maris Lifelong Learner [email_address] Engineering Professional Education

We’ve come a long way …

Educational Technology Integrated Project Presentation on Conversion of a Program Management Course to Online

by vjmslides on Nov 16, 2008

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