57105 Information and Knowledge Management Project Part B

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Information and Knowledge Management
Credit points: 12 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Requisite(s): 57104 Information and Knowledge Management Project Part A
There are also course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Handbook description

This subject is core for the Master of Arts in Information and Knowledge Management. The subject involves the implementation of a professional project aimed at integrating theoretical knowledge and professional skills. The project plan was developed and approved in Part A of the subject. A combination of learning frameworks is used (e.g. learning contracts, information project management, information consolidation) to enable the student to implement and evaluate with academic supervision, an individually tailored program or project.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On completion of this subject the student is expected to be able to:

implement a project plan and complete a project with time and resources constraints
evaluate the effectiveness of the completed project
reflect critically on your performance as an information professional
assess the value of the theoretical and professional literature to your project
explore possibilities for the publication of project outcomes

Contribution to graduate profile

The subject enables students to implement and evaluate a professional information project. Students can develop their independent learning and critical reflection capabilities and articulate the values that guide their decision-making studies in the context of a project aimed at addressing an information or knowledge management problem. The subject allows students to continue to integrate their learning in information and knowledge management with professional practice.

Teaching and learning strategies

Teaching and learning activities will be tailored to the needs of your project and the student group but will include seminars and presentations to peers. There are four compulsory classes (see class schedule) which you are expected to attend and prepare for. As you will be working independently on your project, you are expected to develop a professional relationship with your academic and professional supervisors and to maintain regular contact with them. You will also be expected to expand your networks of contacts and to develop a reflective approach to your project as it unfolds. UTS Online will be used as a forum for the subject and to facilitate peer communication.

Content

This is determined in part by the nature of student projects but topics covered in class may include the nature of reflective practice as well as professional standards, ethics of information practice and principles and techniques of evaluation. Classes will also be used for information sharing and peer support.

Assessment

For your Information and Knowledge Management Project (Parts A and B) you will have:

an Academic Supervisor (usually the subject coordinator) who will supervise your work overall and make the final assessment of your grade for 57104 (Part A) and 57105 (Part B).
an Academic Advisor with expertise in the area of your project who will act as an advisor during the development and implementation of the Proposal and provide an assessment of your completed project to your academic supervisor.
a Professional Supervisor who will act as an advisor/client during the development and implementation of the Proposal and provide a written report on your completed project to your academic supervisor.

The purpose of the Academic Advisor and the Professional Supervisor is to provide you with an avenue for obtaining ongoing advice during the semester in addition to assessing the final work (Academic Advisor) and providing you with feedback on your completed project (Professional Supervisor). Please make sure that you discuss their role with them when you ask them to be involved and provide them with a copy of your Project Proposal.

For Information and Knowledge Management Project Part B there are two assessable components and both must be submitted and a satisfactory level overall must be achieved to pass the subject.

Resubmission:
Marginally unsatisfactory work may be resubmitted. However, students who are required to resubmit their assignments will normally attain no more than a Pass grade for the assignment.

Assignment 1: Project Report and Presentation

Objectives	a, b
Value	70% Your Academic Advisor's assessment and your Professional Supervisor's report will be taken into consideration by your academic supervisor when determining your grade for this assignment.

Due	Project Presentation in class. Project report and associated products to Academic Adviser and Professional Supervisor by Monday 3 November. Completed project work and academic advisor and professional supervisor reports together with Reflective Report (see below) to academic supervisor by Tuesday 11 November

Task	In the class presentation you will present the outcomes of your project to your peers and invited academics and supervisors and lead a discussion on issues encountered in the project. At this time your project work should be submitted to your academic advisor and professional supervisor for feedback. Your completed project work as specified in the Project Plan is due one week later. It is your responsibility to ensure that your academic advisor and professional supervisor provide you with written feedback on your project work by the due date.

Assessment criteria	clarity of oral presentation articulation of issues and their relevance to information and knowledge management practice well written, organised and presented project work effectiveness of the project work quality of project implementation (including specific evaluation criteria from your Project Plan. These may be modified by written agreement with your academic supervisor.)

Assignment 2: Reflective Report (2000 words)

Objectives	c, d, e
Value	30%
Due	Tuesday 11 November

Task	The preparation of a reflective report on your performance as a project manager and information or knowledge management practitioner; a bibliography of your reading should be included with your report.

Assessment criteria	integrity of reflections and critique of performance links between experiences and the literature clear statement of theory-in-action and reflections on its development. appropriate and consistent referencing

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Indicative references

These references relate to professional development and lifelong learning and to project management. References relevant to individual projects will be determined by each student in consultation with their supervisors. You are expected to read widely on topics relevant to your project.

Professional development and lifelong learning

Booth, A. 2003, 'Bridging the research-practice gap? The role of evidence-based librarianship, New review of information and library research, vol. 9, pp.3-23.

Booth, A. and Brice, A. eds, 2004, Evidence based practice for information professionals: a handbook, Facet, London.Candy , P. 1991, Self-direction for lifelong learning, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco.

Candy , P. 1991, Self-direction for lifelong learning, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco.

Eraut, M. 1994, Developing professional knowledge and competence, Palmer Press, London.

Knowles, M. 1975, Self-directed learning: a guide for learners and teachers, Follett, Chicago.

Schon, D.A. 1991, Reflective practitioner: how professionals think in action, New edition, Arena, Aldershot.

Watson, L. 2003, Lifelong learning in Australia, University of Canberra, Canberra

Project management

Allan, B. 2004, Tools and techniques for today's ILS professionals, Facet Publishing, London

Andersen, E.S. et al, Goal directed project management: effective techniques and strategies, Kogan Page, London, 2004

Frame, J. Davidson, Managing projects in organizations: how to make the best use of time, techniques, and people, (3rd edition) Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, 2003

Polonsky, M.J. & Waller, D. Designing and managing a research project: a business student's guide, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, Calif.,2005

Watson, M., Managing smaller projects: a practical guide, Project Manager Today, Hook, 2002