Running head: Final Project

Final Project Jill Marak EDU 627 Dr. Kathy Milhauser

Final Project Introduction to Problem/Opportunity

According to Savage (2010), many teachers need to widen their understanding of what can be achieved through the creative use of music technology. They will need to recognize that it has the potential to transform the nature of the music itself, as well as how it is taught. In many school music departments, teachers attempt to use music writing software to motivate the students to not only write music but also to enhance the learning occurring in the music classroom. One of the programs most often used is called Finale. This software can be utilized in many different applications such as writing music, arranging parts for a musical group, customizable worksheets for learning music theory, and listening exercises. The software is multi-faceted and very useful to music teachers but many may not be aware of the capabilities of it. Project Proposal The project being proposed will help to close this performance gap by creating e-learning opportunities for the music teachers to explore the different capabilities of the software. This will be accomplished by the use of e-learning modules for each portion of the software. In this manner, the teachers will be able to complete the modules according to their own schedules and abilities. Teachers that know specific portions of the software already can move through the module for that portion and then move ahead to areas they are not as proficient in. The stakeholders identified for this project include the Project Manager and Instructional Designer, the students, the music teachers, the music department chairperson, the technology department, the administrators, the parents, the taxpayers, the Board of Education, and the company that designs and supports the Finale software.

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For this training to be effective in expanding teachers knowledge of the Finale software and thereby helping them to use the technology in the classroom, a committee will be formed from the music teacher, the department chair for music, and members of the technology department. This committee will be charged with the development and analysis of surveys of the music teachers knowledge of and attitude towards technology in the music classroom. This committee will also research the use of the technology based on the district music curriculum and the information needed by the individual teachers to use the technology for that purpose. This project will not be concerned with curriculum review or change. The design of this project will be as such that the teachers will not need release time to complete the training. The end goal for this project is to develop a series of eLearning modules to allow music faculty at Reed Intermediate School to explore the Finale software program by June, 2015, at a cost of 80 labor hours for development and $2000 for software purchases or updates. . Project Work Breakdown Structure According to Cox (2010), the work breakdown structure (WBS) is a complete review of the scope of the project. The WBS shows the project broken down into smaller and more manageable sections. 1. Articulate the benefits of technology in music learning 1.1 Research benefits of Finale in classroom learning 1.1.1 Research districts that use Finale or similar software 1.1.2 Research use of notation software in classrooms 1.1.3 Research student improvement in music with the use of software 2. Formation of committee made up of music teachers, district music chairperson and technology department members

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2.1 Develop committee from different music disiplines (orchestra, band, general music) and grade levels. 2.1.1 Develop survey to analyze each teachers view on technology in the music classroom 2.1.2 Analyze results of survey to populate the committee 3. Analysis of the possible use of Finale based on district music curriculum 3.1 Compare district music curriculum goals to aspects of Finale 3.1.1 Analyze uses of Finale to reach district music goals 3.1.2 Analyze uses of Finale based on each area of the department; orchestra, band, chorus. 3.1.3 Analyze most important sections of software for achievement of curriculum goals 3.1.4 Research methods of most efficient use of software 3.2 Determine most important sections of software for success on curriculum goals 3.2.1 Research which sections of the software is used for curriculum goals 3.2.2 Rank sections by order of importance to curriculum goals 4. Analysis of performance gap between the knowledge needed by the teachers and the current level of knowledge of the software. 4.1 Assess the learner knowledge/skill level 4.1.1 Analyze best method for assessing knowledge for each section of the software 4.1.2 Develop assessment for each section 4.1.3 Test assessment for validity

Final Project 4.1.4 Use assessment to determine each teachers knowledge level 5. Implement training module for each individual section of the software 5.1 Present modules to members of music department 5.1.1 Provide each member with the link to the training 5.1.2 Monitor progress for each member 5.1.3 Provide a contact link for help with each module 6. Assessment of progress after training module 6.1 Create end of training assessment 6.1.1 Ask each member to complete assessment for all sections of module 6.1.2 Provide email for members to send completed assessment 6.2 Analyze the results of the assessment 6.2.1 Analyze overall score for members of the department

6.2.2 Analyze scores for each individual section of the assessment for evidence of weak areas Project Components The components of this project will include a stakeholder analysis, a communication plan, and a quality management plan. These components have been chosen because of the importance of the information that is contained in the reports. The stakeholder analysis is an important component as it helps the stakeholders to understand the benefits and risks of the project. With this knowledge, there is an increase in the probability of project success (Cox, 2010). The Project Manager can use the communication plan to make sure that the appropriate communications are being delivered to all members of the project team and the stakeholders. This is vital for the success of the entire project from beginning to end. To identify any deficient

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areas throughout the project, a quality management plan should be in place. This component not only takes into account the causes of any problems in the project but also provides recommendations for remedies to those issues (Cox, 2010). The other components, such as project schedule, project budget, change management plan, and risk management plan, are not as important to this project. This project is a small project with a limited budget; the amount of money needed for it can be accounted for without a budget plan. Because of the size and scope of this project, there should be little change, if any, and little risk involved. For that reason, a change management plan and a risk management plan will not be as useful as the other components of the project. Stakeholder Analysis Stakeholder Their interest/ requirement from the project Because this software will be used by the music teachers, the administrators will want them to know how to use it before asking them to use it in the classrooms The tax payers of the school district will be paying for the project through the school budget What the project needs from them The project needs approval from the administrators before purchasing software and licensing. Perceived attitudes and/or risks The administrators view the use of technology in the classrooms as part of the 21st century skills that all students should master. Actions to take

School Administrators

Administration needs to know the benefits of using the software. The administrators will need to be updated as to the progress of the project. The tax payers need to be shown the importance of technology not only in the classroom but also the music classroom. The actions that are needed for the PM are outlined in the

Tax Payers

The project needs the funding from the tax payers.

The tax payers could have negative or positive attitudes towards the project based on their perceptions. The project manager should have a very positive attitude

Project Manager

The project manager will be designing the project and also

This project needs the project manager to efficiently and

Final Project working as the instructional designer. professionally design the overall project and act as the instructional designer. The project needs approval from the music department chairperson before purchasing software and licensing. towards this project.

7 Work Breakdown Structure.

Music Department Chairperson

The music chairperson, like the administration, would encourage the use of this software in the music classrooms.

Music Teachers

The music teachers will be benefitting from the use of the music software

The project needs the cooperation of the teachers involved.

Students

Parents

The students will benefit from the increased use of the technology that they can apply to their own musical skills. The parents of the students will see the at-home use of this technology.

The students need to learn the software from the teachers.

The music department chairperson views the use of technology in the classrooms as part of the 21st century skills and musical skills that all students should master. The music teachers could have negative or positive attitudes towards the project based on their perceptions The students could have negative or positive attitudes towards the project based on their perceptions The parents could have negative or positive attitudes towards the project based on their perceptions The Tech Department could have negative or positive attitudes towards the

The department chairperson needs to know the benefits of using the software. The administrators will need to be updated as to the progress of the project. The music teachers need to be shown the importance of technology in the music classroom. The students need to be shown the importance of technology in the music classroom.

The project needs the funding from the parents.

Technology Department

The technology department will need to install or upgrade this software on the computers used

The technology department needs to install or upgrade the software and test it to make sure in

The parents need to be shown the importance of technology not only in the classroom but also the music classroom. The tech department need to be shown the importance of technology not only in the

Final Project by the music teachers. Board of Education The Board of Education will see the benefits of a better understanding of not only music but of technology. MakeMusic Company is the designer and provider of the software. is working properly. The project needs approval from Board of Education before purchasing software and licensing. project based on their perceptions The students could have negative or positive attitudes towards the project based on their perceptions

8 classroom but also the music classroom. The Board of Education needs to be shown the importance of technology not only in the classroom but also the music classroom. Purchase of the appropriate software.

MakeMusic Company

Make Music needs to deliver on product software and updates.

The attitude of MakeMusic will be positive as they are selling the product.

Communication Plan Stakeholder School Administrators Tax Payers Project Manager Information Needs Information Influence Influence Information Frequency Monthly Medium Email Response Confirmation of information None expected Information from stakeholders Updates on progress Confirmation of information Updates on progress Questions about software None expected Updates on progress None expected

Monthly Daily

Instructional Designer Music Department Chairperson Music Teachers Students Parents Technology Department Board of

Information

Bi-weekly

Influence Information Influence Information Instruction Influence Influence Information Information

Bi-weekly

Newsletters Presentations Email Phone calls Meetings Meetings Emails Phone calls Emails

Bi-weekly Weekly Monthly Weekly Bi-monthly

Emails Presentations Newsletters Emails Presentations

Final Project Education MakeMusic Company

Influence Information

As needed

Emails Phone Calls

Response to any questions asked

Quality Management Plan Overview Name Jill Marak Joan Smith Role Project Manager Technology Department Head Quality Responsibility

Tools Tool Google Forms Quality Planning 1. Define Project Quality 2. Measure Project Quality 3. Analyze Project Quality 4. Improve Project Quality Goal of survey result showing increased teacher knowledge of Finale program Surveys will be sent to all stakeholders based on experience and knowledge Based on survey results Possibility of redesign of training with retraining to follow. More to be discussed after results of survey Description Survey of teacher training

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References CDC. (2008). Project quality management plan template. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/search.do?q=project+quality+management+template&btnG.x=721&btnG.y=-211&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF8&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&ud=1&site=default_collection Cox, D. M. T. (2010). Project management skills for instructional designers. [Kindle Edition]. Retrieved from Amazon.com. Post University. (2014). Unit 5 Project communications. Retrieved from http://www.coursematerials.net/edu/edu627/unit5/index.htm Post University. (2014). Unit 7 Monitoring and controlling the project. Retrieved from http://www.coursematerials.net/edu/edu627/unit7/index.htm Savage, J. (2010). A survey of ICT usage across English secondary schools. Music Education Research 12(1), 89104. doi: 10.1080/14613800903568288