3/24/10- 15-5's

Team Assigned Tasks: On Thursday (3/18) our team met prior to class to discuss the progression of our unit. The editing and development of our unit’s video and of our storyboards for our instructional unit were the major topics discussed. Our video editing and storyboards are still in the creation process so this task is only 50% complete. On Saturday (3/20) I spent several hours working on storyboard updates for two sections of our instructional unit. This process is probably 75% complete because although additional edits will need to be made, the storyboards contain most of the information and the appearance they need. On Sunday (3/21) our team met virtually to discuss the instructional strategy and treatment report. Both of these are now 100% complete. We also discussed some issues with our storyboards. This process is again about 75% complete. On Monday (3/22) I worked on making some corrections on our storyboards (75% complete) and began some work on additional webpages for our team website (25% complete). On Tuesday (3/23) I finished creating webpages for instructional strategy and our treatment report. This process is 75% complete because they were not uploaded to the Internet at this time. On Wednesday (3/24) I uploaded all new and updated webpages to the Internet (100% complete).

Reflection:
Remembering: This week I…

• Contributed to discussions on project development
• Created and edited storyboards for instructional unit
• Added comments about project development and documentation
• Created and edited pages for our team website

Understanding:

I continued to learn about the usefulness of teams. While working on our unit’s storyboards our collective team thoughts and design ideas were much better than any of our individual ideas. This week, the idea that two heads are better than one was further reinforced in terms of our unit’s design. Together, I believe our team has come up with a lot of good ideas and design features for our instructional unit.

Applying:

I can apply this new knowledge about the usefulness of teams any time I am working with a group of people. Feedback from team members can be very useful in developing better projects than those that I would come up with on my own. This week I also add some issues with WebDAV. I had to come up with another way to get the team website uploaded. I can use that knowledge in any other future web-based projects.

Evaluating:

I think I did really well with our unit’s storyboards. Many of the ideas and design features I suggested will be incorporated into our final unit. However, there were many design features that my team was able to come up with that I did not. I need to work on think more outside of the box.

Creating:

Our next steps are to continue to develop a working storyboard of our project and begin the development of our actual instructional unit.

3/17/10- 15-5's

3/17/10

Team Assigned Tasks: On Wednesday (3/3) our team met with Dr. Grant to discuss the progression of our team project. During these discussions we discussed some of our current problems or issues we need to work out. Among the top issues our team needs to work on is securing a way for developing our instructional unit and a way for data to be collected. On Tuesday (3/9) our team met early at a Long John Silver (LJS) restaurant in Jackson, TN to collect the necessary media for our unit. This included taking digital still images and video of LJS employees completing shortening maintenance tasks. My role during this meeting was to record video. Also, on Tuesday (3/9) I worked on an early version of the video introduction to our unit. I was given a copy of the MPEG 4 format and worked on transferring it to a .flv format. On Tuesday (3/16) I read and added comments to our instructional strategy. Additionally, on Tuesday I also made edits and added my design ideas to a storyboard that may be used for our instructional unit.

Reflection:
Remembering: This week I…

• Contributed to discussions on project issues and problems
• Helped capture video and other media
• I worked on transferring file types to something that would be usable in flash
• Added some comments to our instructional strategy
• Made edits and applied my design ideas to our storyboard

Understanding:

This week I believe the biggest thing I learned is about the scope of a project and all the people that a project can include and will effect. Prior to capturing our media, it seemed as though the only ones really participating in this endeavor and benefiting from it was my group members and myself. However, when I showed up to LJS last week and found a store full of employees, our project client, and other members of LJS administration I felt like the project was much larger and could see how this project may affect many people. Suddenly the project seemed much more real than it had previously. I can now see how one well-constructed instructional unit could be used by many people.

Applying:

I can use this new knowledge in future instructional design projects. Hopefully, this new knowledge will help me to have a better appreciation of all the people that are used in the development of an instructional unit and all the people that can benefit from an instructional unit.

Evaluating:

I think that I have done a good job so far with my various roles and responsibilities. However, I am looking forward to taking more of an active role in the development of our project as we begin to go into the stretch of trying to complete our instructional unit.

Creating:

The next steps will be to continue to work on developing our instructional unit. We also need to continue to develop the proper documentation for our project.

3/3/10- 15/5's

3/3/2010

Team Assigned Tasks: On Thursday (2/25) our team met before class to discuss some of our project documentation and to discuss the on-going development of our project. Each of these tasks are only 50% complete because they still have work to be done. On Sunday (2/28) our team met virtually via Skype to discus the Content Analysis and work collaboratively to complete the Content Analysis. When we had finished our meeting on Sunday I would say that we were 50% complete. Most of the content had been written, however we still needed to work on the curriculum map and add our Content Analysis to our team website. On Monday (3/1) I began working on adding the Content Analysis to our team website. I did not complete this task yet so this is only 50% complete. On Tuesday (3/2) I continued to work on adding the Content Analysis to the website. This time I spent more hours working on it. I nearly finished the Content Analysis this time, however it was still missing the curriculum map. I would say that after Tuesday, adding the Content Analysis to the website was 75% complete. On Wednesday (3/3) our team met with Dr. Grant to discuss the progression of our project and any complications that we are having. This meeting is 100% complete, however our team will continue to utilize help from Dr. Grant and other knowledgeable people. On Wednesday I also worked on adding our team 15/5 to the website, updating the team schedule, and making some adjustments to our Content Analysis. Although as of right now I have not received the curriculum map for our Content Analysis, I am hoping that I will be getting that later tonight and will also add that to the Content Analysis. I would say that each of these components are now 100% complete.

Reflection:
Remembering: This week I…

• Contributed to discussions on project documentation and development
• Worked on the Content Analysis collaboratively with team
• Added Content Analysis to team website
• Met with the team and Dr. Grant to discus project progression
• Made various other edits and updates to team website

Understanding:

I think this week I continued to learn about the various aspects of team dynamics. I honestly generally prefer to work alone. I like to have greater control over what I am working on and not have to rely on others or depend on other people. I also like to work within my own time frame. However, this week while working with my team on the Content Analysis I was really impressed at how easily we could accomplish this task when all three members of the team were adding their own thoughts and contributions. I am also beginning to realize that all of my team members have other responsibilities and other issues going on it their life. This helped me gain a better appreciation of why we all have to work together to get this project accomplished. There is really no way that it could be done at this quality, in this time frame without all members contributing.

Applying:

I can use this new knowledge and appreciation for teamwork right away within my own current job. I can also use it in all other future jobs or instructional design work.

Evaluating:

I think that I have done a good job so far in contributing to my team and this project. I believe that I continue to do well with maintaining the team website. I look forward to improving my teamwork skills and web development skills in the future.

Creating:

The next steps will be to continue to work on developing our instructional unit. We will soon have the various media elements required for our project. This will mean that a lot of time and effort will soon be put into developing our actual instruction.

2/24/10- 15/5's

Team Assigned Tasks: On Thursday (2/18) our team met before class to discuss some of the methods and tools that we will be using during the development of our instructional unit. I would say that this process is 50% complete. On Sunday (2/21) our team met to discuss some changes that needed to be made to our project plan. The discussion about these Project Plan changes is 100% complete. We then discussed our pre-production meeting that we would be having on Monday at Long John Silvers. On Monday (2/22) I worked on updating our team webpage with the corrections we had made to our Project Plan. This was only 50% complete because I did not have time to make all our updates before I needed to meet my team for our pre-production meeting. Also on Monday our team met in Jackson, TN at Long John Silvers. At this meeting we discussed with LJS owner/ manager about the shortening maintenance process, asked for any advice he had, and let him know what we would need from him in order to succeed. I also was responsible for taking some video shots to get an idea on how the lighting would look for our video. I would say that this pre-production meeting is 100% complete, although we will continue to need to stay in contact with both this storeowner and our project client. On Tuesday (2/23) I continued to work on the updates for our Project Plan. The updates are now 100% complete on our team webpage. Finally, on Wednesday (2/24) I added the team 15/5 and updated the project schedule on our team webpage. This process is only 50% complete, as these pages will continue to be updated weekly throughout the course of this project.

Reflection:

Remembering: This week I…

• Contributed to discussions on project development
• Contributed to discussions on Project Plan updates
• Worked on edits to our Project Plan on our team website
• Had a pre-production meeting with Long John Silvers owner/ manager
• Took video samples at Long John Silvers
• Made various other updates to team website

Understanding:

I think the most important thing I learned about this week was on the importance of talking with a subject matter expert. The process of shortening maintenance is something that I really do not know anything about. So I have been kind of concerned about creating an instructional unit on something that I really didn’t know about. However, after meeting with a subject matter expert on shortening maintenance I feel much more comfortable that we will be able to create this unit. I now have a better understanding and appreciation of the relationship that instructional designers and subject matter experts need to have.

Applying:

I will be able to apply this new knowledge in future instructional design projects. I also believe that this new knowledge will help me gain confidence in future ID projects.

Analyzing:

The main pattern that I continue to see is the importance of teamwork with my partners. This is the first instructional design project that I have worked on with other people. I am beginning to have a better understanding of sharing not only responsibilities, but also sharing knowledge with my other team members.

Evaluating:

I believe that I have done a good job with my contributions to my team and with my work on our team website. I would like to continue to improve on team discussions and being able to share knowledge with my teammates and ask for help when I need it.

Creating:

Our next step is to work on our Content Analysis. After completing our Content Analysis, our group needs to begin the development phase of our project.

2/17/10- 15/5's

Team Assigned Task: On Thursday (2/11) our team meet to discuss the Project Plan and the development of our instruction. We also had a conference call with our project client to clarify some of the project details and to discuss a schedule for visiting a Long John Silvers restaurant. I would say that this is 50% done because we still need to work out some scheduling issues and some issues dealing with the development of our project. Our team meet virtually on Sunday (2/14) to go through and complete our Project Plan. Our Project Plan is now 100% complete. On Monday (2/15) I spent 5 hours adding the Project Plan to our team website. The next day (2/16) I spent a couple more hours making some formatting changes to the Project Plan and adding our Gantt Chart to the webpage. Then on Wednesday (2/17) I added a new Gantt Chart to the team webpage, added a new team 15/5, and updated our team schedule page. I would say that the Project Plan page is now 100% complete and both the team 15/5 and team schedule are only 50% complete as they are updated weekly.

Reflection:

Remembering: This week I…

• Contributed to discussions on project delivery
• Contributed to discussions on scheduling a meeting to Long John Silvers
• Added information to our Project Plan
• Added our Project Plan to our team website
• Made various other updates to team website

Understanding:

Probably the most important thing about what I did this week was working with my team on finishing our Project Plan website. I had to rely on both members to get this website finished. I also received some great formatting advice from my team members. It taught me about the importance of seeing work from multiple perspectives.

Applying:

I can definitely use what I learned any time I work in a group setting. I think it is important to rely on and use the skills of other team members. I also have realized that just having multiple people see the project can help.

Evaluating:

I think I am continuing to do well. I did have one formatting issue this week that I really did not think was possible to fix, but with a little help from one of my team members I was able to get it figured out. I think with this particular formatting issue I was over thinking the problem. I think that I need to be aware of this issue in the future, so that I do not try to make a simile issue into a complex problem.

Creating:

Our next step is to work on meeting with some people from Long John Silvers to discuss the project. We then need to discuss how we will capture media for our unit and how we will develop the instruction.

2/10/10- 15/5's

Team Assigned Task: On Thursday (2/4) our team met before class and began to brainstorm some ideas of how the training would work and what it would look like. We also tried to come up with some incentives or rewards for Long John Silvers employees that successfully completed the shortening maintenance unit. We also discussed the beginning of the Project Plan. I would say that this task is only 50% completed because the Project Plan is not completed, we have not fully settled on our delivery method, and we are still deciding on the reward system. On Sunday (2/7) our team met virtually. At this meeting we discussed the progress of the Project Plan. I would say our work on the Project Plan is at 50%. At this meeting we also discussed the changes needed for our Project Charter. On Monday (2/8) I worked on fixing and updating the Project Charter based on Dr. Grant’s and our team’s suggestions. I would say that our Project Charter is now 100% complete and ready to be seen by our client. On Monday I also worked on various components of the Project Plan, which is still about 50% complete. On Tuesday (2/9) Amanda had sent me a favicon to add to our webpage. I was able to add this icon on to our webpage after about an hour of work. I would say this process is 100% complete. On Wednesday (2/10) I added our new team 15/5 to our webpage. I also updated our schedule.

Reflection:

Remembering: This week I…

• Contributed to discussions on project delivery
• Contributed to discussions on a possible reward system
• Added information to our Project Plan
• Made changes to our Project Charter
• Added a favicon to our website

Understanding:

I think that it was important to hear comments from my peers on possible reward systems. There were many ideas that I would not have come up with on my own. This is important because it shows the needs for effective communication within our group. I also received the favicon idea and image from Amanda and that is important for my realization that I can rely on the experiences and talents of my team members.

Applying:

I will be able to apply this new knowledge with future teams that I work with. It will also help me to come to team members to ask for help. The favicon idea will help me when I develop and create websites in the future.

Analyzing:

I see a growing pattern of having the team rely on each other’s knowledge and experience to help each other out. I can also see a pattern on how our team is coming to have a better understanding of each other and start to see common goals emerging.

Evaluating:

I think that I have done pretty well so far. I think my contributions to our discussions on a project delivery method and a possible reward system have been useful. I think that my additions to our project plan have been appropriate and the edits to the project charter necessary. I wish I had thought of the favicon idea that Amanda came up with, but I was satisfied that I was able to use her knowledge and my skills to get the favicon applied to our website.

Creating:

I think our next steps are to finish working on our Project Plan. I also think we need to come up with a more formal plan for the delivery of our unit. We also need to flesh out our ideas on a reward system and come up with a plan.

2/3/10- 15/5's

2/3/10

Team Assigned Task: On Thursday (1/28) our team met to discuss the training materials that Meredith had sent us. At this meeting we also discussed possible methods of instructional delivery and what content we thought we would be able to cover in our instructional unit. I would say that this process is 50% complete because we still have some work to do in deciding how the instruction will be delivered. On Sunday (1/31), our team met and discussed the progression of our Analysis Report. This Analysis Report is now 100% completed. Finally, on Wednesday (2/3) I made several updates to the team website. The first change was to our Documentation page. I edited this page to reflect the various components of documentation that our group will have over the course of the unit. I then added the Analysis Report to a new webpage and linked it to our Documentation page. The next edit I made was to our Team 15/5 page. I created a new page that has our team 15/5 for this week and created the link to our Team 15/5 page. The final edits that I made to our website was to our meetings schedule to include the two additional meetings that we have had since the last update. Although all of the specific components I worked on are now 100% complete, the webpage as a whole is still only 50% complete because there is still much work to be done.


Reflection:
Remembering: This week I…

• Contributed to discussions on instructional delivery.
• Contributed to discussions on our Analysis Report.
• Updated documentation, schedule, and team 15/5 pages to our team website.

Understanding:

I think the important realization that came as a result of my team discussions is further confidence in what I know about instructional design. Through these discussions I had a feeling that I could talk about instructional design with my peers feeling confident in what I had to say. The important part of working on the team website is the continuing assurance that I gain from each successful edit and upload.

Applying:

I will be able to apply what I have learned when I work with teams in the future. The confidence that I have gained from these experiences will allow me to be a successful participant in future teams that I am a part of. I can also use the realizations that I have gained about what makes a team successful to help me with future teams.

Analyzing:

One common pattern that I see emerging is the importance of communication when working with teams. It is obvious from our team experiences that talking with one another, getting on the same page, and setting team goals and expectations are essential for success.

Evaluating:

I think that I have done a good job with communicating with my team. I think I have let them know what my goals are and what I am planning to do to contribute to the team each week. However, I do sometimes feel some trepidation when contributing so I believe I could use some improvement. I do still sometimes question my contributions. I also think that I have done a good job with the work on the website.

Creating:

I think the next steps are continuing with what I have been doing. I will need to continue to have good communication with my team. I also will need to continue to work on the website. I think some of the areas where our team will soon need to focus more attention on will be exactly how we will develop the instruction.