Empowering Students to Develop their Employability by Applying their Course Learning in a Module Anne Nortcliffe, Jacky Stallard & Matthew Love

Introduction What is graduate employability? What does this mean for the module learning? What does this mean for the module assessment? What does this mean for the module structure? What was student feedback? What were the course leader’s thoughts? What were the outcomes?

What is graduate employability? Task: What do employers want? 5 mins Split into groups with 3 or 4 members Look at and discuss the (employability) key skills cards As a group identify and agree the top ten key skills As a group organise these top ten key skills into a list 1 to 10.

Top Ten –UK Source:: Targetjobs, The top 10 skills that'll get you a job when you graduate, Commercial Awareness Communication Teamwork Negotiation and Persuasion Problem Solving Leadership Organisation Ability to meet deadlines Ability to work under pressure Confidence

Top Ten –USA Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers: Job Outlook 2005-Student Version, 1. Communication Skills (Verbal and Written) 2. Honesty / Integrity 3. Interpersonal Skills (relate well to others) 4. Strong Work Ethic 5. Teamwork Skills (work well with others) 6. Analytical Skills 7. Motivation / Initiative 8. Flexibility / Adaptablility 9. Computer Skills 10. Detail Oriented

PMCD Module 5 mins In your groups match Employers Top Ten Skills to the Module Learning Outcomes discuss the need for project management for information systems projects, and cite examples of apparent successes and failures of industry-based projects. be aware of legal social ethical and professional issues relevant to their course of study. select a sequence of steps for the development of Information Systems, matched to given situations and organisational requirements. compare and contrast modern project management techniques and tools that are used within industry and organisations to resolve typical scenario problems (including Prince2 Project Management methodology and specific project management software for example Microsoft Project) describe organisational structures and team structures commonly found in IT organisations, and select appropriate structures to meet example strategic requirements. discuss the factors affecting working as a professional in relation to their career development as an IT professional

PMCD Module 5 mins In your groups match Employers Top Ten Skills to the Module Learning Outcomes (on the desk)

Answer discuss the need for project management for information systems projects, and cite examples of apparent successes and failures of industry-based projects. Commerical Awareness, Communicate be aware of legal social ethical and professional issues relevant to their course of study. Honesty/Integrity, Detail Orientated, Initiative select a sequence of steps for the development of Information Systems, matched to given situations and organisational requirements. Organisation, Commercial Awareness, Analytical, Negotiation, Persuasion, Ability to meet deadlines, Initiative compare and contrast modern project management techniques and tools that are used within industry and organisations to resolve typical scenario problems (including Prince2 Project Management methodology and specific project management software for example Microsoft Project) Problem Solving, Analytical, Detail Orientated, Computer Skills describe organisational structures and team structures commonly found in IT organisations, and select appropriate structures to meet example strategic requirements. Teamwork, Motivation / Initiative, Flexibility / Adaptability, Organisation, Problem Solving, Communcation discuss the factors affecting working as a professional in relation to their career development as an IT professional, Confidence & Commercial Awareness, Communication

Module LOs discuss the need for project management for information systems projects, and cite examples of apparent successes and failures of industry-based projects. be aware of legal social ethical and professional issues relevant to their course of study. select a sequence of steps for the development of Information Systems, matched to given situations and organisational requirements. compare and contrast modern project management techniques and tools that are used within industry and organisations to resolve typical scenario problems (including Prince2 Project Management methodology and specific project management software for example Microsoft Project) describe organisational structures and team structures commonly found in IT organisations, and select appropriate structures to meet example strategic requirements. discuss the factors affecting working as a professional in relation to their career development as an IT professional, Commerical Awareness, Communicate Honesty/Integrity, Detail Orientated, Initiative Organisation, Commercial Awareness, Analytical, Negotiation, Persuasion, Ability to meet deadlines, Initiative Problem Solving, Analytical, Detail Orientated, Computer Skills Teamwork, Motivation / Initiative, Flexibility / Adaptability, Organisation, Problem Solving, Communication Confidence & Commercial Awareness, Communication

How are the students going to learn these learning outcomes ? 2 mins In pairs –Reflect on the module learning outcomes –Ask each other what kind of exercise would help students to meet The module learning outcomes? All graduate attributes? Audience ideas

Assessment for Learning Placement Development A, B. & C 20% Business Case and Tender for University Attendance Monitoring System 80% Group Assessment 50% Business Case and presentation wk 19 Business Proposal and standalone presentation wk 39 Group weekly management sheets wk 39 Peer assessment Individual mark derived from group grade and self/peer assessment:- Ind=Grp*(1-((AveGrpPeer-IndAvePeer)/MaxPeer)) Individual Assessment 30% wk 41 Reflective Professional Personal Development (PPD) and Individual Weekly Activities Sheets Career Plan Opportunities Reflection Or Sacked Group Members 80% Hard and Onerous Individual Assessment 80% wk 39

Why choose as case study: Attendance Monitoring System Real-life Relevant Timely Accessible (captive!) clients –varied vested interests –paying and non-paying –conflicting requirements

What learning will the students need to support this assessment? 5 mins In pairs –Discuss the assessment and identify what key learning the students need to support this assessment –Identify any questions that need answering

Module Sessions Sem 1 WeekLectureSeminar 10IntroductionBelbin exercise 11Project LifecycleLearning Roles exercise 12Requirements eng’Requirements exercise 13 Requirements meeting for Attendance Monitoring System Requirements analysis of requirements for Attend’ Monitor’ Sys’ 14Project Methods (I)Case Study - MRP 15Project Methods (II)Case Study - Swanwick 16Business Cases (I)Cost Benefits 17Business Cases (II)Estimates 18Guest LecturerAssignment Workshop 19STUDENT PRESENTATIONS 20Project Planning (I)Presentation Feedback 21Project Planning (II)Assignment Workshop (proposal preparation)

Module Sessions Sem 2 WeekLectureSeminar 27Why do projects fail?Business Strategy 28Risk AnalysisRisk Assessment 29Future ProofingNo session 30Staffing Small ProjectsFinding staff (2 HOURS) 31Staffing Large ProjectsMyers Briggs exercise 32Building Project TeamsSWOT analysis 33Conflict ManagementCase Study 34Project EthicsCase Study EASTER 37Project CommunicationCommunications exercise 38Guest LecturerAssignment workshop 39STUDENT PRESENTATIONS 40Presentation feedback

Student Feedback - comments "Enjoyed the module overall, didn't agree with the Belbin group construction, would prefer to do our own groups" "Project Management has been a very interesting module and given me an insight of how a company may communicate with each other and how the workload affects everyone in the company." "Would have been useful to have audio recordings/screen casts of lectures made available on BlackBoard; missed one session due to placement interview and felt the learning experience provided by the slides was inferior to actually being in the lecture"

Student Feedback - survey results understanding of project management The module assessment inspired me to take initiatives in my learning The module assessment has helped me develop my knowledge and understanding of my career options in IT projects The module assessment has helped me enhance my personal and employability skills

Student Feedback - survey results understanding of project management The module assessment has helped me develop my knowledge and understanding of project management Interviews with guest clients helped me develop my understanding and learning of client side of project management

Student Feedback - survey results understanding of project management The module assessment gave me an insight to planning IT projects The module assessment gave me an insight to costing IT projects

Course Leader's reflection Previous module approach –retention on the module –pass rate –deliver, database coursework and exam –2012 placements: BSc Computing13/18 BSc Computer Studies0/4 This year's approach: assessment for learning –2013 placements so far: BSc Computing 15/31 BSc Computer Studies 5/11

Example of Students' Output password="project"

Conclusion Increased students' engagement in learning of project management through assessment for learning as opposed to the traditional LTA approach understanding of IT project management awareness of potential career opportunities in IT projects