Learning project

For many readers of this book the starting point for learning may not be an experiential learning project but a... 

TTiis kind of deliberate development most typically occurs when a manager is on a course where some kind of action-research or action-learning project is a requirement. But it could of course be engineered quite independently of any formal course. 

In preparing yourself for your developmental experiment or learning project, you need to consider ... 

There are, however, certain other aspects of project management which may be more problematic to transfer. Once your learning project is over, assuming you have done one, the gains you have made could lapse with it unless you take deliberate steps to ensure the contrary, A developmental project is the start not the end of your development. 

You will no doubt be aware of any such gains that you wish to perpetuate in your everyday managing. The precepts or principles to be derived from a successful learning project that 1 believe to be worth perpetuating are ... 

One of the distinguishing features of your learning project or other developmental experience will have been finding the time and space to do it. That may well have been a challenge. Now that is over it would be all too easy to relapse into your old routines. 

One thing only is certain. To manage with one hand free you need to believe in yourself and your ideas. If you did not have this self-confidence before your learning project, and if your project achievements have not since given it to you, gaining time and space for your own ventures is unlikely to be a consideration for you. 

On the other hand, if you were only allowed to undertake your learning project on a grace and favour basis, you may have to work at bridging the gap between what you are now capable of and what is permitted to you in your everyday managing. 

You were urged in Chapters 3 and 4 not to allow your learning project to be seen merely as a training exercise. If it was, you may find that collaboration received in the course of it was not real collaboration you were simply being indulged to help you in your development . It is all over now. What is vital is that, if this was not already so, you use the occasion of the project to establish initiation and leadership of change as an intrinsic part of your management role. 

Leading change requires that you communicate your ideas about the direction to be taken and convince people that this is the way to go. To the extent that your learning project took you outside your normal orgctnizational boundaries you will have had to elicit voluntary co-operation. 

The risk is that in the wake of your learning project you make less sustained and persistent effort to overcome the obstacles that the organization puts in your way. Because, for example, you do not have an adequate expenditure budget... 

The first three projects are learning projects only. You should try to master the subject perfect results are not the aim. In the final project you are expected to consider all aspects of design and development and to sell your ideas. 

Selco, J. I. Roberts, J. L., Jr. Wacks, D. B. The Analysis of Seawater A Laboratory-Centered Learning Project in General Chemistry, /. Chem. Educ. 2003, 80, 54-57. 

Read JR (2006) The Australian Chemistry Enhanced laboratory Learning project. Chem Aust, 73(l) 3-.5... 

Smithsonian Family Learning Project, Science Activity Book Galison Books, GMG Publishing, 1987. 

Keywords Edncational change Engineering education Design-based research Problem-based learning Project-based learning PBL... 

Krajcik, J. S., Blumenfeld, P., Marx, R. Soloway, E. (1994). A collaborative model for helping middle grade teachers learn project-based instmction. The Elementary School... 

Weaver and Eves (Chapter 3) describe an analytical laboratory course in which environmental chemical analysis is the main focus. In this pedagogical model, principles and techniques are introduced to students and then applied to environmentally-oriented service learning projects. Students work in groups to carry out various water quality tests of a creek near Southern Utah University. Students are required to compile the data and report their findings for dissemination to the community. The real-world application of the projects and their impacts are detailed here. 

Katmnler, D. C. Tmong, T. M. VanNess, G. McGowin, A. E. A Service-Learning Project in Chemistry Environmental Monitoring of a Nature Preserve. J. Chem. Educ. 2012, 89, 1384-1389. 

Jeffers, A. E., Beata, P. A., Strassmann, B. I. (2014, June), qualitative study to assess the learning outcomes of a civil engineering service-learning project in Bolivia. Paper presented at 2014 ASEE Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN. Retrieved from https //peer.asee.org/19986... 

McCormick, M., Matson, D., Swan, C. (2008, June). Reading between the lines Evaluating self-assessments of skills acquired during an international service learning project. Paper presented at 2008 Annual Conference Exposition, Pittsburgh, PA. Retrieved from https //peer.asee.org/4104... 

In Needs and Necessities, Beiillie et til. (2010) ttilk about the decoupling of the learning potential of service learning projects from the project itself as well as the potential harm they may cause... 

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