Introducing Service Learning and Storytelling Concepts to OM Course Projects

David Xin Ding, Ph.D., PMPUniversity of Houston

xding@uh.edu

Agenda

• Motivation• Project – Introduction– Examples

• Practice• Tips and summary

What Areas Would You like to Improve in Class?

Area 1?

Area 3?Area 2?

Class

Motivation

• Help connect course subjects to business practices

• Help connect students with others (e.g., in the class, across different classes)

• Help build the platform for future/repetitive learning

Business Practice

Continuous Learning

Cooperative Learning

Service Learning

Story TellingPr

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To bridge concepts with business practice

To facilitate learning among teams and across classes

To support continuous learning

Service Learning

• Service Learning (4Rs)*1. Reality – exposure to business practice

• In-depth contact, over time, allowing complex problems to emerge

2. Reflection – own learning experience• Significant reflection; exploring multiple impacts & issues

3. Reciprocity – information exchange• Sustained contact; sharing knowledge & expertise

4. Responsibility – commitment• Significant investments of time and energy• Facilitates lasting focus on broader goals

*Adapted from Godfrey & Berry, “Creating Breadth in Business Education Through Service-Learning,” Academy of Management Learning & Education, 2005, 4:3, 309-323.

Story Telling

• Business practice ≠ what is taught in classrooms≈ art rather than science& is captured by stories told by community members

• “As stories evolve, richer understanding of the phenomenon is developed, and new integrated approaches to solving problems are created” (Crossan, et al., 1999).

Cite from Crossan, M. M., Lane, H. W., & White, R. E. “An organizational learning framework: From intuition to institution,” 1999, Academy of Management Review, 24:3, 522-537.

Project Summary

• Service Learning– Identify local profit/nonprofit organizations– Interview employees/owners– Analyze their operational process – Concentrate on certain operations related concepts

• Storytelling– Create a story to illustrate the concept– Identify the connection between the concept & business operations– Show the connection through acting– Produce the episodes

Project Implementation

6

Continue research & update project scope

Analyze the client’s operational processes via interviews/field trips

Translate scripts to storyboards

Report #2

Checkout equip Deliver scripts

and storyboards for critique

7

8 2nd tutorial on production

Wk 1. Content 2. Service Learning 3. Story Telling 4. Team work 5. Technology 6.Collaboration

1 Brainstorm ideasPropose a client

Develop scripts

Role assignment

Cross-match teams from different classes

2Research on potential topics & concepts

Report #1

3

Establish initial contact & secure permission

4

5 Narrow down a specific concept

1st tutorial on pre-production

9

Incorporate the research in final project report

Incorporate the client’s feedbacks to refine project scope

Act out the story Report #3

10

11 3rd tutorial on post-production

12Stream the video Final Report

Deliver episodes for event planning13

14 Equip return

1516 Red Carpet Event

Project Templates

• Project identification• Company identification• Project release form• Storyboard• Work log • Project report templates

List of Project Equipment

• High definition HD-based camcorder • Directional microphone• Three way tripod • Voice recorder • Video editing software • Video hosting website

Project Examples

Inventory

Process

Service Operations

Scheduling

Forecasting

Quality

Logistics

Project Mgt.

Queuing

Facility

Operations Consulting

Core Competency

0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% 30.00% 35.00%

Types of Project

General Operations

Specific Topics

DocumentaryRole Play

Comparison of Different Types of Project

Types of project Advantages Disadvantages Watch out for the following:

Documentary Clear structure Lack of motivation/depth

Make best use of resources

Role plays High motivation Lack of access to resources

Role assignments, project leader has good mgt. skills

Specific topics Focused concepts Miss other important topics

A thorough understanding of intended topics

General operations

Overall view of operations; easy to lay out

Lack of depth Include important aspects of operational practices

Project Assessments

Assessment – Course Evaluations

2007-20082009-2010

2011-2012

3.00

3.20

3.40

3.60

3.80

4.00

4.20

4.40

4.60

4.80 Overall quality Instructional effectivess Met my learning expection Contribution to professional growthTechnology delivery

Project Extension/Transferability

Extended Cooperative Learning

Production & Service Operations

Class

Team Leadership Class

Quality Improvement

Class

Communication Class

Digital Media Class

2. Process Feedback4. Screen Critics

3. Videos 1. Work logs

5. Event Ideas

6. Campaign Proposals 7. Campaign Materials

Practice Time!

• Project identification• Company identification• Project release form• Storyboard• Work log • Project report templates

Practice Time

• Format:– 3-5 minutes episodes– Demonstrating certain OM topics or showcasing

operations practices within a local organization

Practice Time

• Steps– Choose topic(s)– Develop scripts– Select potential clients/companies– Translate scripts into storyboards– Setup scenes at selected clients– Rehearsal – Shoot/edit/stream episodes

Questions?

David Xin Ding, Ph.D., PMPInformation and Logistics Technology Department

University of Houston, Houston TX 77204Phone: (713)743-4095

Email: xding@uh.edu