My post-mortem project was a Personal Learning Environment (PLE) that we created as a group. PLE is a system that helps learners take control of and manage their own leaning. This includes providing support for learners to set their own goals and manage their learning both content and process. Learners also communicate with others in the process of learning and thereby achieve their learning goals. When designing instruction for PLE, the designer needs to create a scenario in which learners will set up their own personal learning environment. The scenario we created was that our company Elite Universal Designer’s Inc. was contracted by the administration at Jackson Public School District to train teachers how to set up a personal learning environment so as to be able to incorporate up to date technology into their lessons in order make it more meaningful to students. Additionally, in the project we were not only teaching learners how to create their personal learning environment, but also how it can be applied to their learning. These made the learning context concrete and realistic to the learner. The group used the ADDIE model to design the above project.
The following were some contributive factors of the project’s failure. Group members had limited knowledge of how to apply the ADDIE model in the scenario provided. In addition, some group members were late turning in their part of the project, while some did not contribute at all to the development of the project. Since this was a group project, it was necessary for group members to collaborate in playing their part in order for the project to be successful. Hence, other members became responsible in doing extra assignment with limited time. This made working on the project a bit stressful. Another thing that contributed to the failure of the project was the different time zone of the group members. Group members had rough time conference on scheduled to discuss the importance of the project. Some members joined the scheduled meetings in the last minute and missed the necessary points on the agenda.
Portny et al (2008) asserted that project management process should include planning, organizing, and controlling of the project. Therefore, I believe the project management process that if included in my PLE project would have made the project more successful were planning and organizing. Excellent planning would have promoted the success of the project by determining the strategies, artifacts, and necessary information to be used in the given project. A better organization would have promoted the success of the project through collaboration as well as determining the structure of the project. Also, good organization would have made the project homogeneous, which would help each group member designed the project with information related to the topic.
In conclusion, it is necessary to learn best practices and avoid mistakes on a future project by reviewing the results and activities from a previously completed project. As I reviewed the PLE project, I realized that it is important for group members to plan, organize and control the project. Additionally, it is crucial that members constantly collaborate for the success of the project. Also, it is important that each member takes charge and complete the given role. As a result, when group members perform accordingly they will probably create efficient and effective project that will meet the projects needs and objectives.
Reference
Portny, S. E., Mantel, S. J., Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., Sutton, M. M., & Kramer, B. E. (2008). Project management: Planning, scheduling, and controlling projects. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
