Assignment
Description
The object of this project
is for you to create a solution to a data problem using information technology
(IT). For example, you may decide to
solve a particular data processing problem of a company or organization where
you work or you may want create a solution to an information-handling problem
for a home business. Your report should
include alternative solutions and a final recommended solution using the
six-phase systems design process.
Preparing systems flow charts and other tools discussed in lecture
classes will be useful in this problem-solving process. The hardware, software, dataflow, database,
web design and other information technology concepts will also be
beneficial. The Problem Solving
Methodology will be especially helpful in developing workable information
systems solutions.
Project Skill
Self-Assessment
During the process of
creating a solution using information technology, you need to complete a series
of Self-Assessment Journals to assess the development progress of your IT
skills and problem-solving project.
Developing action plans and assessing your skill areas and project
progress in identifying the problem and creating an information systems
solution will also help you elevate your critical thinking, research and
problem solving skills.
Assessing Learning
Skills
Twenty specific information
technology learning skills are listed on Page S-11. As you start this project refer to the
Learning Skills list and record the 4 skills you anticipate using in the first
few weeks of this project; you will obviously use other important skills later
to successfully complete this project.
Your analysis of the skills and plans used in developing an IT solution
and project report will provide you with the necessary feedback for creating an
effective information system to solve the data handling problems of a business,
nonprofit organization or the home.
Implementation of
Action Plans
As you progress in creating your IT solution, you will find that implementing detailed action plans in appropriate skills areas will also help you become more efficient in your problem-solving efforts. Using self-assessment and the Learning Process Methodology for improving your problem analysis skills will also help you better understand the systems analysis and design process along with many other general concepts taught in this course about related information technology needs and solutions.
Value of the Project Self-Assessment
The real value of your project self-assessment depends on the effort and thought you put into the preparation and implementation of your short- and long-term action plans between each self-assessment. Therefore, on a periodic basis, you should analyze your strengths, areas of improvement and insights in relation to your project progress, so you can incorporate newly acquired problem-solving techniques into future IT solutions.
Requirements of the
IT Problem-Solving Project Report
Your IT Problem-Solving Project Report
should generally include the following information:
1.
Introduction --
The introduction needs to point out your general reasons for choosing this
project and what you expected to accomplish.
2.
An analysis of
your organization, company or home information problems and needs.
3.
A description of
the actual problem-solving process you used in developing your IT solution.
4.
A detailed
explanation of three alternative solutions to your selected IT problem(s), your
final recommendation (which could include parts of any of the alternatives) and
reasons for supporting your chosen recommendation.
5.
Identify the most
important skills you developed from doing this project and explain how you can
use these skills to your advantage in the future.
6.
Summary discusses
your ability to self-assess the development of the learning skills you used in
critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving.
7.
A Start-Up Self-Assessment
Journal and at least 6 Project Self-Assessment Journals.
8.
A list of
resources used in identifying the problem(s) and creating your solution.
Some Critical Thinking Questions
What role did language development and understanding of the information technology terminology play in your research of the IT problem(s) and the development of your solution?
Why did you choose to solve the IT problem you chose and what learning skills were most helpful in your problem analysis and critical thinking process?
What Learning Process Methodology steps did you used in recognizing the information technology problem and creating the best IT solution to the problem?
What action plans did you incorporate into the development of your problem-solving process, especially when you got frustrated? What insights or new understandings did you learn about yourself during the development process?
Requirements of Your
IT Problem-Solving Portfolio
You must use a word
processing application to write your project report. You may also integrate information from some
other applications -- Internet browsers, spreadsheet, database, presentation,
email and your selected applications -- in preparing your report. Since the quality of content of your
report is the most important, no suggested length guideline, requirement
or limit of pages for your IT Problem-Solving Project Report is provided. However, in many cases the extra pages for
charts, graphs, illustrations, computer-produced results and a reference
(bibliography) page exceed the report. Please
use a 12-point type size and double-space the lines with a half-inch indent at
the beginning of the paragraphs. The
use of subheads is suggested for appropriately separating topics and improving
readership.
Special Note: Be sure to include your Self-Assessment Journals as
an appendix with your project report in addition to other references. The evaluation of your IT Problem-Solving
Project Report requires that your graded journals be included in your
Portfolio. Self-Assessment Journals that
are not reviewed and dated by your lab instructor during the assessment process
(weekly) will not receive credit during the grading process. The report grade will be based on the
criteria listed below:
Evaluation of Self-Learning
Project Progress Report
Outline of development plan....................................................................................................................... 10
Report on project and skills progress......................................................................................................... 10
Research support – results, illustrations, resources and Weekly Self-Assessment Journals............. 10
Instructor Project Feedback Interview......................................................................................................... 5
35
Evaluation of IT Problem-Solving Project Report
Project Criteria
Level of thought and analysis..................................................................................................................... 10
Overall quality of content – project planning and
implementation..................................................... 10
Effort on the Project........................................................................................................................................ 5
Quality of writing the Project Report............................................................................................................ 5
Completeness of the Project Report............................................................................................................. 5
Results, illustrations, resources and bibliography....................................................................................... 5
40
Self-Assessment Criteria
Your level of effort and diligence throughout the
self-assessment process........................................ 10
Your ability to self-assess project and skills
performance..................................................................... 10
Your commitment to improving your growth through
self-learning....................................................... 5
Primary referencing of information in the
Self-Assessment Journals.................................................... 5
30
Journals
Start-Up Self-Assessment Journal................................................................................................................. 3
6 Weekly Self-Assessment Journals (Each worth 4.5
points)................................................................ 27
30
Total
Points 135
NOTE: As is the case with ALL of your assignments
in this class, you should keep copies of ALL of your self-assessment
journals. Your copies not only will
serve as backup in case of loss during the evaluation process, but more
importantly you use your Self-Assessment Journals in formulating weekly action
plans in becoming a self-grower
learner and as research resources for writing your IT Problem-Solving Project
Report.