Interpersonal standard
def. Interact effectively with others as peers, subordinates and leaders to accomplish goals.
Artifacts from EdTech 795A: Seminar
TKF Forum- solo
Online Community Building Report (doc, pdf)- solo
Forum Registration JobAid (pdf) - solo
Reflection
Course: 795A Seminar
Purpose: Work with a real world client utilizing the instructional design and analysis knowledge gained from the program.
Situation: Working with a non-profit organization (TKF)to investigate ways to build an online community to extend the message of forgiveness and nonviolence to young children. This project involved repeated meetings, e-mail and phone collaboration with two program directors, the advisory board president, the technical support director and an outside web developer (SWPartners). During the project I performed an analysis of their existing web site and the preliminary forum that SWPartners developed. After meeting with key stakeholders and reviewing the technological options I recommended shifting their forum development from SWPartners to an open source option (vBulletin). The remainder of the project included purchasing and customizing the database and forum software, developing the look and feel of the forum and compiling administrative guidelines and forum management training for one of the program directors. In addition to the forum development and configuration I also created a job aid to help employees, teachers, students and donors register with the new forum.
What problem(s) or opportunities arose as you were developing this artifact?
I had little problem communicating and developing a bond with both program directors, the board president and the web developers however this project was not without communication difficulties. Midway through the project I hit a roadblock in the form of a frequently unresponsive technical support director. Over the span of three weeks I made over eight attempts via e-mail and phone to get access to the servers to no avail. This person was the only person who could give me access to the web server so I could install and configure the database and forum software. As the semester deadline loomed I feared that my project would ultimately fail. Luckily I was able to use the relationship I had established with the executive program director who then pressured the technical support director to respond to my attempts to access the servers.What did you learn from engaging that problem or opportunity, and how do you hope to apply in the future the experience you gained?
It is important to identify potential bottlenecks or single points of failure within a project as early as possible. Had I anticipated this I would have asked for access much earlier in the project. With other non optimal situations I hope to gain the experience to recognize these barriers quickly. This project also reminded me that outside of the halls of the masters program not everything in a project goes smoothly.What does this work demonstrate about you and your capabilities?
My honest and sincere communications earned the trust and respect of the program directors and the board president. The time it took to finally gain access forced me double my efforts to complete the project by working over 30 hours during the Thanksgiving break to implement the forum. The results of this project are a direct reflection on my communication, design, and technical skills.The continuing relationship that I have established with this company is also a demonstration of my capabilities. My efforts on this project pleased the clients so much that they have offered me additional consulting work involving other projects for their company.
What did completing this work teach you about yourself within the field of educational technology?
I believe the interpersonal skills I have developed will help me both within the educational field and without. From the first meeting with the program directors and the board president I was able to establish a solid rapport. With frequent communication, honesty and sincerity I was able to work closely with a variety of people and move the project forward.Balancing a full time teaching job, 11 college units and this internship provided me with the confidence that I could tackle anything in the educational technology field. Although stressful at times and a ton of work I think this project helped me to define my educational design worth to my client and more importantly to myself.