Description
Each student is expected to pick a topic related to the course content and develop both a briefing paper and video presentation on the chosen topic. For a review of the process for developing a briefing paper and video, presentation click here. Those learners who are more interested in developing specific skills related to the course content should pick an activity or practice as a topic (e.g. conducting a manufacturing location assessment).
Once each learner has chosen their topic, they need to identify at least 2 recent (no earlier than 2005) articles that address the topic. Each learner is encouraged to identify both a research/scientific (academic) and a practitioner-oriented article. The research/scientific (academic) article will assist in providing a comprehensive definition of the topic and a description of key aspects of the topic, whereas the practitioner-oriented article will provide more how-to information.
Each student is required to review the collected articles and develop a briefing paper and video presentation that consists of the following sections:
(Section 1) Define and describe the topic using the information provided in the articles and other sources if necessary (try to secure a comprehensive definition of the topic and identify any classifications, typologies and dimensions e.g. a manufacturing location assessment is defined as … and has the following types … and the first type is made up of the following dimensions …, second type is made up of … etc.).
(Section 2) Identify the key points that the articles are making about the topic and present the information in a series of bulleted statements (suggest that you highlight the key points that the articles are making about conducting a manufacturing location assessment). If necessary, expand briefly on each point to assist the reader in understanding the point being made.
(Section 3) Briefly describe why the topic is important for organizations (what impact will the topic have on our society, organizations, environment etc. - e.g. why are manufacturing location assessments important for organizations/society as a whole). If no direct information is provided then you need to make thoughtful inferences.
(Section 4) Briefly recommend key actions that should be taken with regard to this topic (e.g. how might this practice/activity be executed e.g. how should a manufacturing location assessment be conducted?). Provide some information about the key general steps required to execute this activity, and any other things that support efficient and effective execution. If no direct information is available then you need to make thoughtful inferences. Section 4 is only applicable if you chose a topic that is an activity or practice.