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
|
---|---|
Credit points |
Credit points
4
|
Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(32cp at 800 level and admission to MEnv or MSusDev or MEnvEd or MEnvMgt or MEnvStud or MEnvPlan
or MEnvSc) or (16cp at 800 level and admission to PGDipEnv or PGDipEnvEd or PGDipEnvStud or PGDipSusDev or MSc) or (16cp
at 800 level and admission to MSusDev prior to 2015)
|
Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
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.
|
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% | Monday 16th March |
Assignment 2 | 15% | Monday 20th April |
Review | 0% | Thursday 29th May |
Practice Presentation | 0% | Monday June 1st |
Assessment 3 (a) Report | 50% | Week 15th June |
Assessment 3(b) Present | 15% | Week of Monday 15th June |
Log Book & Reflection | 10% | Several dates |
Due: Monday 16th 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: Monday 20th April
Weighting: 15%
Assignment 2 consists of 2 parts:
1. A Context Report of about 3000 words
2. Group Presentation of the context for the project (including internal and external)
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 experienced 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 future work of the organisation/ 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: Monday June 1st
Weighting: 0%
Each Group will make the client presentation. The presentation will summarise the key findings from the report and briefly present 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 guidelines for this presentation under assignment 3. This activity is not marked
Final (draft) reports) should be sent to the client Monday 8th June to check the report is satisfactory to be submitted. NOTE: these reports must be spell checked, well laid out, edited and in final form before going to the client.
Due: Week 15th June
Weighting: 50%
To meet requirements of assignment 3a the group must submit a final written report presented to the client as a printed copy (and electronic version). (Please provide a printed copy bound for the unit convenor and electronic version as well). The report can be printed on the Department's photocopier, though you will have to bind it- materials are provided.
Each student must submit their Log book. Note you can be asked to provide evidence of your individual contributions to the final report - so make log book entries specific.
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
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: Week of Monday 15th 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 Environmental Sciences Department 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 when you are stressed with trying to complete the task. 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 any member of the group. 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- that is address the issue internally first and look to ways to maximise the strengths of each group member.
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:
Teaching and Learning Strategy
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 convenor/ mentorr 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.
Relations with the client
• Whenever the group as a whole meets with the client each member should be appropriately dressed (smart casual, jacket, tie) as becomes professional consultants; the client management team who meet with you will be similarly attired.
• In order to manage the client-consultant relation it is advised to schedule at least four formal contacts between the group and the client representative or representatives. These should be planned and agreed upon with the client at the first meeting.
1. An initial meeting in the first week of semester to define and scope the project. The unit staff will have already met with all clients to do preliminary work towards this and will accompany each group at the first meeting to give advice as necessary.
2. A progress meeting (or report without meeting) in about the sixth week of semester. At this point the group should indicate clearly to the client whether all planned outputs will be achieved and any necessary modifications to the contract put forward for agreement by both parties.
3. A draft final report to the client representative before the end of semester and the formal presentation by the group to the client.
4. A final meeting in the last week of semester, or the following week, for the group to present their final report to the client.
• Some clients will only be prepared to commit to these four meetings, but others will welcome additional contact
• One of the first tasks for each group after the first meeting with the client will be to determine exactly what information they, as the consultants, will require from the client.
A consolidated list should be prepared and communicated to the client representative by the group leader no later than week 3 of semester. This sort of contact with the client should be limited to ONE group member whose responsibility it is to keep the rest of the group informed.
• The group should not treat the client organisation, or their representative(s), like another tutor or member of the university teaching staff. The client has 'contracted' the group to do the work and research necessary to complete the project. Your feedback sessions with the client are to see that you are on track to deliver what the client wants.
• In between the agreed formal meetings the group representative should provide a monthly e-mail update on progress - this too should be agreed at the first meeting.
In the course of their work the group may be made privy to commercially, or otherwise sensitive material, and there may be a requirement to sign a confidentiality clause. In any case all members of every group are to respect the confidentiality of information or knowledge they acquire from the client in the course of completing their contract with them.
• SOME PROJECTS MAY REQUIRE ETHICS APPROVAL. GSE 844 has a general approval from the University Ethics Committee. If you are undertaking any interview or survey work, the group must undertake this work in accordance with the ethics agreement. You must be briefed on the ethics agreement and check your survey/ interview questions and information that allows a persons to consent with the convenor. See http://www.research.mq.edu.au/researchers/ethics/human_ethics
Activities on behalf of the client
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. So any survey or similar actions must also be cleared by the client.
Technology
There is an ilearn site associated with this unit. Students must be able to access the internet to research background for these projects.
Changes to this unit
The projects proposed for each semester are original
Outline of the Unit requirements
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.
Please see further guidance under teaching and learning strategy
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.
Schedule of meetings and Milestones
Date |
Activities |
Milestone |
Monday 16th 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
|
Monday 23rd February 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 2nd March |
Group meetings scheduled with clients to scope and define the consultancy projects (Convenor / mentor to accompany) |
Group meetings with clients by appointment: all group members must attend |
|
PROJECT PROPOSAL PREPARATION |
|
Monday 9th March 6:30pm to 9:30pm |
Group to arrange meeting time with unit convenor to discuss project (or another time to be agreed with unit convenor) |
Compulsory individual group meeting |
Monday 16th 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 |
Week of 23rd March |
Proposal (revised) sent to the client |
Proposal submitted to client for feedback |
|
CONTEXT REPORT PREPARATION |
|
Monday 30 March |
Group meeting with convenor/mentor at time arranged |
Group briefing on progress on context report / final report Log book |
Monday 20th 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) |
Group Presentation Submission of Assignment 2 (Context report) Submission of Logbooks to the Unit Convenor |
|
FINAL REPORT PREPARATION |
|
Monday 4th May 6.30- 9.30 pm |
Individual group meetings – (30 mins) scheduled with mentor and convenor in advance |
Compulsory meeting |
Monday 18 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 |
May 29th | Draft Report submitted for review | Submission of Draft of the Final Report (3a) for review before finalisation |
Monday 1st June 6:30 to 9:30pm |
Practice presentation by student groups of the final report to the class and staff 15 minutes + 5 minutes for questions (Practice of oral presentation skills) |
Presentation of final report - practice
|
Monday 8th June |
Submit report to Client for feedback |
(Draft) Final report to client |
Week beginning Monday 15th 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) |
Monday 22nd 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 |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Each semester new projects are scoped with clients. A range of environmental planning, environmental management and sustainable development issues are proposed.