The learning activities and teaching strategy follow flipped classroom learning principles. This means that you will watch videos, read your textbook and other prescribed material, and listen/read instructions from to your lecturer for homework. You will then use your class-time (workshops) for tackling difficult problems, working in teams/groups, researching, creating and collaborating. The preparation before the workshops is therefore extremely important to your learning-by-doing activities.
For the duration of the semester, you will be working with your team on a single project. Your project team will propose and then plan for the delivery of a key component of a programme that aims to deliver a sustainable bio-fuel industry. While the program is fictitious, the project work you will be doing for it is real (in the sense that you will be working with your team to produce a coherent and fully developed project strategy).
The learning activities do continue after the workshops. You will be working with your team, collectively and as an individual team member, to complete many tasks related to your project assignment.
Finally, a fundamental idea behind our teaching and learning strategy is that project management is learned by doing; that is, by putting into practice techniques and methods in a social and environment. Thanks to your engagement in performing substantial project work and managing yourself and your team, you will learn essential project management skills, methods, and techniques while simultaneously developing your individual and team leadership capabilities.
Seminars/Workshops
This course will not have formal lectures, but it instead takes the form of a series of workshops that will allow you and your team to develop a full plan for a significant project.
During the workshops, the lecturer will only provide a short overview of the topic at hand in the form of “briefs” that will focus on explaining difficult concepts and emerging issues as well as clarifying the tasks you need to perform.
The role of the briefs is to help you to understand the context of the topic as well as work through the problematic points of your project.
The LIC will act as both the key facilitator of the workshops and the Program Manager to whom your team will report. Part of the role of the Program Manager is to mentor you and your team so that you can maximise your learning experience.
The preparation required for each lecture is set out in each week’s study guide. To encourage learned discussions and contributions, you will be briefly examined on the mandatory readings before each workshop.
Please note that each week is likely to have additional readings to supplement the textbook, you will be provided with access to resources for further readings. The additional readings are not examinable but represent a great addition to your knowledge and will improve your outcomes.
The order of topics as provided on your initial schedule is unlikely to change. However, if changes are required, they will be communicated via Moodle.
Class Participation & Discussion
Typically, the first part of the workshop will be facilitated by the LIC and you will participate in a series of activities that will both progress your knowledge and your project. The second part of the workshop will involve further teamwork, such as solution design, investigating, conflict management/resolution, and reporting.
You will receive a workshop plan before each workshop. During your activities, you will receive support from the LIC (and other facilitators), so you can better understand the tasks to be performed, but you will be responsible for performing the tasks.
Attendance at these workshops will be taken; it is vital that all students engage in these activities. It is essential for you to understand that if you cannot attend this course’s weekly workshops, or work on teams, you should not enroll in this course. This requirement is not negotiable. Without teamwork and constant development of the project plan, no project management (or project) is possible.
As you commit to your team and participate, you will develop your communication and management skills, gaining a significant experience and knowledge that is likely to empower you and benefit your future career. Most students report a challenging but highly rewarded learning experience during this course.
Private Study
Your private study is the most crucial component of this course. The readings and all other pre-workshop material will be stated and provided to you via Moodle. Keeping up to date is very important as each week builds on the prior weeks. It is highly recommended that you get your study regime organized quickly.