TM600.88 Spring 1997 Group Projects*
Each student will work on a group project as a member of a team of approximately three people; composition of the teams will be by agreement between the students and me.
The main pedagogical purpose of the project is for the students to demonstrate they can apply the course concepts to thoroughly describe and critically evaluate the development of an innovation. The intent is to enhance this learning experience by providing the students an opportunity to communicate what they have learned, practicing oral and written presentation skills.
A secondary objective is to offset the isolation of the distance learning environment, by encouraging peer interaction.
The project is to be cast in terms of a business proposal to a management committee that some enterprise pursue the development of an innovation. The final report should take a form suitable for a proposal, including:
Description of the technology and proof of concept:
Background information about the enterprise should be included in sufficient detail to provide the context for the project.
The innovation can be real or imaginary. Team members are encouraged to choose a topic relevant to their professional interests.
The project will result in a written report and a class presentation, both due May 31. Both forms should be in a managerial (i.e., business rather than academic) format. The oral presentations should take approximately 30 minutes, with 15 additional for questions and discussion; the class as a whole will take the role of the management committee in discussing and questioning the proposal. The teams should use transparencies and handouts as appropriate. Each team member should make part of the presentation. The written report can/should follow the oral report closely.
* Adapted, with permission, from Dr. Gerald M. Hoffman, Northwestern University.