BA Business Information Management

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BABusiness Information Management

• Work-Based Project
• September 2002

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Session Objectives

• To give you a brief introduction to the style and
  content of the Work-Based Project Module, so that
  you understand what is required of you, and what
  sorts of things you need to undertake.
• To provide you with the information you will need
  in order to carry out preliminary tasks
  effectively

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What exactly is the Work-Based Project?

• This is a module accredited by Liverpool Hope in
  which you undertake tasks largely decided by you
  either within or for an organisation.
• There is a great deal of flexibility in what you
  can do, how you do it, and when you do it within
  the semester.

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What sorts of things are intended?

• The idea behind WBP is that you are carrying out
  a project over which you have a large measure of
  control, rather than just undertaking work
  experience.
• This project should be challenging and
  worthwhile.

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For example?

• modifying or creating a web-site
• creating a marketing multimedia package
• undertaking market research
• analysing or presenting data
• modifying or creating a database
• delivering IT or other training
• automating accounts/stock control

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What is the purpose of it?

• The main purpose is to allow you to apply skills
  learnt during your time at Hope in a real-world
  context.
• An important subsidiary purpose is that this
  experience will help you develop as an autonomous
  learner.

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How much work is involved?

• Exactly the same as on any other 15-credit
  module, 150 hours of student learning.
• In this case you are expected to spend about 10
  days (approx 70-80 hours) in the workplace, 40
  hours of which will be doing the project.
• The other time is for research and write-up.

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Are there any lectures or seminars?

• There are two lectures this one (introduction)
  and one more at the end of the semester
  (reporting).
• You will also be entitled to four separate
  individual half-hour tutorial sessions with your
  project tutor.
• In addition you will be given a reporting slot
  in January.

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How will I know what to do?

• You have been given a brief version of the module
  handbook. You will need to read this carefully.
• The full version is on the MCC. You can log in
  under your name (password your student ID)

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Do I have to find my own placement?

• The short answer is yes. As stated earlier, an
  important aspect of the module is autonomy, and
  part of this is that you find the placement.
• There are three ways suggested
• Cold Calling to organisations you would wish to
  work with or work for.
• Business Bridge
• Using your part-time job.
• There are some additional possible placements
  held in reserve.

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How do I introduce myself to an employer?

• On the MCC is a letter of introduction from
  Liverpool Hope.
• You need to make an electronic copy of this
  letter, amend it with your details, and print it
  off.

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What sort of things can I do in the workplace?

• This is really up to you. You are free to
  negotiate, within certain constraints, any
  project which fits certain basic Academic
  Criteria.

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What are the criteria for the project?

• It should take around 40 hours to complete.
• It must be academically challenging.
• You must either be learning or applying new
  skills.
• It must require the use of ICT.
• It must have value and be relevant to the
  organisation.

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How do I find out who my project tutor is?

• The BIM Notice Board just outside the IBITE
  school office have lists of students and their
  tutor.
• It is up to you to initiate contact with your
  tutor.

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What happens in the tutorials?

• The content and structure of each of the four
  tutorials is clearly-defined.
• You will find all the details on the MCC.
• You will need to prepare for the tutorials in
  advance.

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Who decides on my project?

• You do!
• However, you must negotiate the project with your
  employer, and discuss it in depth with your
  project tutor.
• The end result of this process will be a
  negotiated learning agreement which specifies
  what you are doing and what the outcomes will be.

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What exactly is a Negotiated Learning Agreement?

• It is a document which describes what you intend
  to do, and where and when you intend to do it.
• It will contain project outcomes and learning
  outcomes.
• It will contain agreed percentages and deadlines
  for submission.
• It will be discussed and agreed with your project
  tutor, and your employer.

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How do I complete my Negotiated Learning
Agreement (NLA)?

• A copy of the NLA is in your brief handbook, and
  you can get an electronic copy from the MCC.
• There is also a set of guidelines on the MCC
  explaining precisely how to fill in the NLA.
• This is the first major task of the module. You
  will be expected to have a draft of this ready to
  be discussed at the first full meeting with your
  tutor, either next week or the week after.

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What else am I expected to submit for Assessment?

• There are four elements of Assessment
• Negotiated Learning Agreement (10)
• Project Action Planning
• Project Portfolio
• Project Report
• The nature and weighting of the last three
  elements is a matter for negotiation.

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When are the deadlines for these Assessments?

• You must submit to the School Office
• A Negotiated Learning Agreement by Friday October
  18th , 3.00pm.
• Your Action Planning, Portfolio and Report by
  Friday January 10th, 3.00pm.
• You will be called for a viva or presentation
  during the week of January 13th-20th.

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How do I keep on track?

• The MCC will contain advice on a week-by-week
  basis, telling you what you should be doing and
  when.
• However, this makes the assumption that you are
  undertaking your work-based project as a one-day
  per week placement over 10 weeks.

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When do I need to start?

• There is a suggested programme in the handbook,
  which suggests that
• This week you should be making contact with a
  possible employer and your tutor.
• Next week you should be putting together a
  learning contract.
• The week after, you should be putting together
  and submitting an action plan.
• These are the earliest dates by which you could
  reasonably be expected to do these things.
  However, if you have not got under way by the end
  of next week, you will probably disadvantage
  yourself.

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What do I do now?

• Firstly, get on to the MCC and read the
  information.
• Secondly. make contact with your tutor to say
  hello, and to make your first real appointment.
• Thirdly, start thinking about possible placements
  and projects.
• Finally, examine the NLA in the handbook, and
  begin to complete it.

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Where can I find more Information?

• If you dont know what to do, consult
• The Module Handbook (brief version)
• The MCC http//hopelive.hope.ac.uk/mcc/mathwork/
  frameset.htm
• The BIM/IBITE Notice Boards
• Your Project Tutor
• Tony Fleet (NB... as a last resort!)