Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Wendy Goldstein
Contact via wendy.goldstein@mq.edu.au
E8A 372
Open: By appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(32cp at 800 level and admission to MEnv or MEnvEd or MEnvMgt or MEnvStud or MEnvPlan or MEnvSc or MSocEntre) or (16cp at 800 level and admission to PGDipEnv or PGDipEnvEd or PGDipEnvStud or MSusDev or PGDipSusDev or MSc in Remote Sensing and GIS or PGDipSc in Remote Sensing and GIS)
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides students the opportunity to bring together what they have learned in other units through working in small teams to undertake environmental consultancy projects for real clients. The real-life problems requested by clients are chosen to represent typical situations likely to confront graduates from our programs. The final report of each group will be expected to be of a high quality and equivalent to a consultant's report to a client. Students will learn to define and scope a project, understand the context, prepare a project proposal for a client, work with colleagues to complete the project, prepare a written report for the client, and present the group's findings in person to the client. The unit is of value to students in environmental management, environmental planning, sustainable development and environmental education.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
---|---|---|
Assignment 1 | 10% | Thursday 20th March |
Assignment 2 | 15% | April 10th |
Review | 0% | Thursday 29th May |
Practice Presentation | 0% | June 5th |
Assessment 3 (a) Report | 50% | Week 16th June |
Assessment 3(b) Present | 15% | 16th June |
Log Book & Reflection | 10% | Several dates |
Due: Thursday 20th March
Weighting: 10%
The first class session will cover some of the principles of preparing and responding to a client's project brief.
The meetings with the client during the second week will enable each group to define and scope the consultancy project for the preparation of a project proposal to the client and for submission to the unit convenor.
The project proposal must have at least the following features included within the page limit of 2000 words or approximately 5 pages.
Each group will be required to give a 15-minute presentation of its Project Proposal to the class. The purposes of this are to provide initial practice in presentation skills for the final presentations to each group's client at the end of the unit, and to receive feedback from other groups on the communication and feasibility of the project.
The marking criteria and weights for the Project proposal are set out in the table below:
Clear statement of the project objectives
2
Clear statement of the way in which the group intends to carry out the project
2
Work plan showing the milestones to be achieved during the project
2
Summary of the outputs to be delivered to the client
2
Notional business plan and schedule of putative progress payments
2
TOTAL
10
Due: April 10th
Weighting: 15%
Report Length 3000 words and Group Presentation
You will have to show what you have done individually as a contribution to this report.
This assignment is the first step in completing your group's project - its purpose is to explore and document the broader context of the issues and concerns of your client in the project that the group will be doing for them.
Each group will be required to give a 15-minute presentation of their context reviews to the class.
This context has an internal and external component. The context report it is to bring you "up to speed" in terms of what an expereinced consultant would be able to understand from the brief, from their knowledge of the policy or legal context, why the organisation wants this work done; where it fits, and expertise from other projects. The work done is not sent to the client.
You will be developing an understanding of the context in which the organisation works, its culture and the significance of the project to the futre work of the organiisation/ client. You will need to understand the regulatory or resource barriers, so that you can best collect information and formulate recommendations within the organisations constraints. You also will want to look beyond the organisation to what is happening in other jurisdictions and countries to benchmark the current practice and to stimulate creativity or innovation.
Clear and appropriate identification of the context for the project - within the client's organisation and beyond.
3
Contextual issues related to the client's business are analysed and evaluated.
3
Contextual issues related to best practice outside the client's organisation are analysed and evaluated.
3
Clear linkage from outside best practice to the needs of the client's organisation with respect to the project.
3
Quality and substance of the presentation to the class of the "Context Review Report".
3
TOTAL
15
Due: Thursday 29th May
Weighting: 0%
Draft of final report submitted to unit convenor and mentor for review
Please see Final Report Expectations under Assignment 3
Note: It is up to the group to decide who is going to integrate the various writing styles and contributions into a well edited cohesive report. We expect good English and spell check, well laid out draft reports.
Evidence of individual contributions to the report in the log books submitted
Due: June 5th
Weighting: 0%
Each Group will make their cleint presentation summarising key findings of the report and the approach undertaken to reach the objectives.
Feedback from class members and staff is used to improve the final presentation for the client. Please see guidlines for this presentation under assignment 3. This activity is not marked
Final (darft) reports) should be sent to the client Monday 9th June to check the report is satisfactory to be submitted.
Due: Week 16th June
Weighting: 50%
Final written Report printed copy provided to the client (and electronic version)
Report presented to unit convenor
Log book submitted from each student
Record of individual contribution to final repost submitted
The project report must have at least the following features included within the page limit. Additional supporting material of a technical or other nature should be attached as Appendices to the report proper and bound with it. The report should address all of the objectives determined in the project proposal, and the following format is suggested:
1. Appearance
2. Structure
3. Style
4. Content
5. Discussion
6. Recommendations
1. Layout
2. Findings
3. Recommendations
The marking criteria and weights for the Project Report are set out in the table below:
Executive summary
5
Clear statement of the project objectives
5
Clear description of project context
5
Clear linkage from outside best practice to the needs of the client's organisation with respect to the project.
5
Clear presentation of the project findings
10
Conclusions based on findings
10
Useful recommendations for the client to act upon
10
TOTAL
50
Due: 16th June
Weighting: 15%
Group presentation to the client
Each group will be required to give a presentation of their findings to the client at a time to be arranged.
The presentation will be assessed by GSE staff with regard to the assessment from the client.
The format for the session will be:
However the client might choose to ask questions during the presentation
The presentation may be extended to discuss the findings, recommendations and their implications.
Guidelines for the oral presentation of the report
The availability of the necessary equipment should be arranged with the client and / or the GSE office prior to the presentation.
The marking criteria and weights for the Final Presentation are set out in the table below:
Professionalism of team
Project team well presented and suitably dressed
1
Project team introduced clearly and roles identified
1
Content of presentation
Clear statement of the project objectives
1
Clear description of project content
1
Clear description of the methodology for the project
1
Clear presentation of the project findings
3
Conclusions based on findings
1.5
Useful recommendations for the client to act upon
1.5
Style of presentation
Well paced and completed in time
1
Quality of overheads/slides
1
Easily understandable
1
Manner and vocal quality
1
TOTAL
15
Due: Several dates
Weighting: 10%
An electronic version of a logbook will be provided for each member of the class in the first session.
Each student in each group is required to maintain this as a diary of work carried out and record of the "chargeable" time (excluding travelling time) for each task.
The logbook approach allows a fuller simulation of the work of a consultancy team that really has to track the chargeable time for each task to enable accurate invoicing and personnel payments.
The time is indicative of the quality of excellence you should be pursuing in all aspects of the unit and in particular in the final written report and presentation to the client for whom your group is doing the project.
The introduction of the logbook system arose out of some discontent in the past among students who found themselves working in a group where there was unbalanced group participation. The logbooks give students the opportunity to ensure all group members are contributing as planned. To be meaningful, therefore, the logbooks will need to be submitted on at least two occasions during the semester and shared with other members of the group.
Professional reflection on the experience of the work
The important issues with regard to the logbook are whether or not the other members of the group agree or disagree with the times recorded and are satisfied that the effort from each member is fair. Unsatisfactory work contributions can occur in a real-life consulting practice and the issues can only be resolved by decisive action on the part of those adversely affected.
Where members of a group are not satisfied with the effort of another group member, they must act immediately. There is no point in waiting until the end of the semester, nothing can be done at such a late stage. The logbook should be noted accordingly.
Alternatively, if there is a desire to avoid immediate confrontation within the group, the matter can be brought to the attention of the unit convenor by the group leader. In regard to the latter course of action, however, it needs to be appreciated that no meaningful action can be effected if the group member in question is not faced with the issue.
The other value of the log book is that it enables you to assess the real time each section of the work took, so that when preparing future budgets you have a more realistic appreciation of where time is spent.
You will be expected to assess the input in clusters of work and reflect on the issues about the effectiveness of the use of time. A 2 page reflection on practice is required that assesses:
Each student group is responsible for the delivery of an environmental project for a client either inside or outside the University. The projects prepared by each client are real ones that they want done to advance their environmental practice in one way or another.
Each student group must act like a real consultant in all of their relations with the client and in all activities undertaken on their behalf.
The teaching and learning strategy includes mentoring sudents on managing team processes, project management, mentoring activities through group interaction with the tutor and through class interaction and practice in client presentations.
As students are involved in a real life situation it is valuable to keep a reflective diary to self assess performance in client and team interaction and to assist in writing the final professional reflection on experience. Some guidelines are set out below to help student groups in their relations with, and activities for their client organisation.
Group members must remember that when doing anything on behalf of the client, the reputation of the client will be affected by their behaviour and actions.
There is an ilearn site associated with this unit.
The projects offered each semester are new as are the clients.
Each student group will report on an environmental/ sustainability project for a client either inside or outside the University. The clients range through large private corporations, State Government departments and Local Government councils to NGO or university staff.
The projects prepared by each client are real ones that they want done to advance their environmental practice in one way or another. This means that each student group must act like a real consultant in all of their relations with the client and in all activities undertaken on their behalf.
GSE 844 Key Dates, Sessions, Tasks and Milestones 2013
Please Note: Attendance at all class meetings is compulsory for presentations and briefings. Group mentoring sessions can be rescheduled at the convenience of the group and convenor.
Date |
Activities |
Milestone |
Thursday 27th February |
Each student to complete form/ survey detailing previous experience and stating which projects are of interest by the due date. If you have not been contacted by the convenor/co-convenor please make contact. |
Student is assigned to a project and group Each student to read the unit outline before attending session 1
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Thursday 6th March 6:30pm to 9:30pm |
UNIT BRIEFING – PROJECT KICK OFF Introduction to unit, and expectations of students. Explanation of assignments and schedule. Managing consultancy Allocation to consultancy groups First group meeting |
Compulsory class meeting |
Week beginning Monday 10th March |
Group meetings scheduled with clients to scope and define the consultancy projects (WG, TM/other GSE staff to accompany) |
Group meetings with clients by appointment: all group members must attend |
Thursday 13th March 6:30pm to 9:30pm |
PROJECT PROPOSAL PREPARATION Group to arrange meeting time with unit convenor to discuss project (or another time to be agreed with unit convenor) |
Compulsory individual group meeting |
Thursday 20th March 6:30 to 9:30pm |
Project Proposal Presentations by student groups to the class and staff 15 minutes presentation + 5 minutes for questions (Practice of oral presentation skills) |
Presentation Submission of Assignment 1 –Project Proposal to staff Log Book
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Week of 24th March |
Proposal (revised) sent to the client |
Proposal submitted to client for feedback |
Thursday April 3rd |
CONTEXT REPORT PREPARATION Group meeting with GSE mentor at time arranged
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Group briefing on progress on context report / final report Log book |
Thursday 10th April 6:30 to 9:30pm |
Presentation by student groups of the Review of the Context of the Project to the class and unit staff 15 minutes + 5 minutes for questions (Practice of oral presentation skills) |
Presentation Submission of Assignment 2 (Context report) Submission of Logbooks to the Unit Convenor |
Thursday 1st May 6.30- 9.30 pm |
FINAL REPORT Individual group meetings – (30 mins) scheduled with mentor and convenor in advance
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Compulsory meeting
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Thursday 15 May 6:30 to 9:30pm |
Scheduled individual group meetings with Unit Convenor and staff to discuss progress on the final report. |
Compulsory meeting Log Book |
Thursday 29th May 6:30 to 9:30pm |
Scheduled individual group meetings with Unit Convenor and staff to discuss progress on the final report |
Compulsory meeting
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Thursday 5th June 6:30 to 9:30pm |
Practice presentation by student groups of the final report to the class and GSE staff 15 minutes + 5 minutes for questions (Practice of oral presentation skills) |
Submission of Draft of the Final Report (3a) for review before finalisation
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Monday 9th June |
Submit report to Client for feedback |
(Draft) Final report to client |
Week beginning Tuesday 16th June |
FINAL REPORT TO CLIENT Presentation by student groups of Final Report to Clients to present findings from the consultancy project (Staff to accompany) NOTE: It is the group's responsibility to arrange a time for this presentation with the client and unit convenors |
Final Report and Presentation to Client by appointment Submission of Assignments 3a & 3b (Final Report and presentation) |
Thursday 19th June 6:30 to 9:30pm |
PROFESSIONAL REFLECTION Feedback on Final Reports and presentations to clients Review and evaluation of unit Reflection on work allocated per task Reflection on handling group work Professional reflection |
Compulsory class meeting Log Book Reflections sheet |
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