PMnetwork for Excellence in Learning & Teaching Sixth Workshop

1. PMnetwork for Excellence in Learning & TeachingSixth Workshop University of Westminster

2. Space to Learn – Issues and Opportunities Denise Bower & Nancy Madter University of Leeds

3. Current Research Interest Improving the effectiveness of project management learning and teaching/ transferrable skill development through learning environment investigation, definition and guidance.

4. Learning Outcomes/Objectives Managing Complex and Dynamic Situations Theory and Higher-order Skills Tools and Techniques Skill 4S Learning Environment Model

5. Opportunities • Draw from existing innovative/creative environments – space evaluations • Preparing students for the 21st Century workplace – industry survey • Observation • Sharing good practice/Funding opportunities

6. Space Evaluations • Use the environment to increase effectiveness and efficiency of learning and PM skill development • Evaluation Form • Literature review and site visits - No clear evidence of improved learning

7. Preparing Students for the Workplace– Industry Survey • Approx. 10 project based firms; • Directors, Training Managers, PM’s; • Investigate the current state of PM workplace training and industry’s use of the learning environment.

8. Preliminary Findings

9. Primary Factors Impacting L+D • Students: • Correctly targeting your audience • Willingness to learn • Subject/Skill: • Relevant and interesting to participants • How soon it is used   • Speaker: • Quality of facilitation TIME AND COST

10. Does the Environment Contribute to Effective Development? Three streams: • Really matters – impact is underestimated • Yes, but just in terms of getting people away from the job • All about facilitation

11. “Frankly, I think they probably should have learned it before they got to us.”

12. Underdeveloped Skills • Emotional Intelligence • Communication • Planning • Running Meetings • Managing People • The Big Picture • Interpersonal appreciation and understanding • Developing Others

13. Group Observation • Observing group work in a variety of academic environments; • Looking at: • Environment composition, hygiene and ergonomics • Participant organisation, interaction and communication • Facilitator access and contact time

14. Conclusions There is a relationship that cannot be ignored between the speakers, the students, the space and the subject. Appropriate configurations must be determined to promote improved PM learning and development, efficiency of teaching and industry ready graduates.

15. An exercise for this afternoon • Matching competency development with spaces • In groups match the competencies with the “ideal” learning environment • Justify your answer and comment on any limitations!

16. Verbal communication • Written communication • Planning • Managing people • Teamwork • Leadership • Chalk and talk • Role playing • Group work • Self-directed • Facilitated • Simulation • Lecture theatre • e-learning • Innovation lab • Media theatre • Computer cluster • Break-out space