OERu/Planning/OERu 2012 Prototype/Introduction to Management/Design blueprint

Metadata summary

 * Level: 5 (First year degree level)
 * Discipline: Management
 * Notional learning hours: 150/200
 * Credits: 15/20
 * Local credential at your institution: This is a core course for all majors in the Bachelor of Applied Management at Northland Polytechnic. It may also be approved for credit as a compulsory core course for the general stream of the New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 6). (As an NZQA national credential, all New Zealand Institutes of Technology will be able to offer this OERu course).

Intended target audience
Students who are interested in understanding and applying the introductory principles of management and organisational theory to the workplace will be interested in this course. It provides an introductory study of management and the organisational context within which management is performed. Students look at a range of perspectives on organisations and management, the external environment and internal processes of organisations, the nature of a manager's job (including its range of functions and roles), management decision making (processes and constraints), and the ethical and social responsibility dimensions of management.


 * There are no corequisites or prerequisites.
 * Entry to the course is open.

Delivery model
This course will be designed to be both reflective and practical. The learning activities will encourage students to think about and apply the major themes of the course.

Core learning materials will be designed for independent and collaborative study and hosted openly on WikiEducator. The course resources will be integrated into learning activities within an open learning management system.

Currently the course uses a wrap around model based on core readings of a proprietary text book. The e-Learning version of this course is available under an open content license.

Course learning resources include:


 * replacement OERs or open textbook for the proprietary prescribed text Management: A Pacific Rim Focus by Bartol et al, Currently listed at A$ 132.95 / NZ$ 135(Incl. GST) -- about US$112.
 * web pages with reflective problem-based tasks which reflect the lerning outcomes and assessment activities
 * discussion forums for collaborative work on problem-based tasks
 * case studies reflecting the learning outcomes
 * self assessing quizzes to consolidate knowledge
 * open access website resources and e-tivities
 * recommended reading resources
 * practical assignment for learners to demonstrate their understanding and apply the introductory principles of management and organisational theory to the workplace.

Assessment model
Assessment items are not yet developed for this course but should consist of two tasks:


 * a quiz assessing theoretical elements
 * a case study which applies the introductory principles of management and organisational theory to the workplace.

Assessment weightings

Credentialing Successful students will receive 15 credits and duly recorded on the student's academic transcript at Northland Polytechnic Successful students will receive a certificate of accomplishment for the course. Students will receive a copy of the assessment results including assessor comments.

Interaction strategies
The course will be offered in parallel mode where full-tuition students registered at Northland Polytechnic will receive tutorial support services. OERu learners will register for free and utilise the interaction strategies below. On payment of the prescribed assessment fee, OERu learners who wish to receive formal credit can acquire assessment services.

Student-content interactions
Course learning resources will include:


 * reflective conceptual activities and quizzes with online feedback
 * reflective case study and problem-based learning activities

Student-student interactions
The course will incorporate:


 * reflective microblog posts or discussion forum posts and students will be encourage to post to these.
 * a live feed of the aggregated posts using the course keyword or hashtag.
 * an automated weekly html newsletter containing links to registered student blogs and discussion forum posts will be emailed to registered OERu learners.

Student-support interactions
The course will incorporate:


 * a Frequently Asked Questions web site hosted on the wiki where learners and academic volunteers can generate questions and answers
 * OER learner support materials for technology support
 * general student help from academic volunteers on the microblog and discussion forums.

Learning outcomes / Graduate profile
Students will understand the factors that influence management and the organisation and apply a range of factors.

LEARNING OUTCOME ONE

Students will identify the purpose of organisations and management.

Key elements

a) Reasons organisations are formed, one of:


 * economic
 * social
 * personal.

b) Management, one of:


 * roles
 * functions
 * efficiency and effectiveness
 * skills and competencies.

LEARNING OUTCOME TWO

Students will understand the importance of the development of management philosophies and their influence on current management practices.

Key elements

a) Principles of two management theorists and their influence on current management practice.

LEARNING OUTCOME THREE

Students will apply their understanding of the influence of environments on organisational behaviour.

Key elements

a) External:


 * components/elements
 * dynamic versus stable.

b) Internal:


 * culture:
 * dimensions of
 * learning company culture.

LEARNING OUTCOME FOUR

Students will understand the importance of ethics and social responsibility within an organisation.

Key elements

a) Ethics:


 * personal
 * at least one established viewpoint.

b) Social responsibility:


 * benefits to an organisation
 * disadvantages to an organisation.

LEARNING OUTCOME FIVE

Students will understand the elements of problem solving and apply a range of techniques that aid operational decision making.

Key elements

a) Stages of problem solving. b) Conditions under which decisions are made:


 * complexity
 * uncertainty
 * risk
 * limitations of time, money and information
 * individual
 * group.

c) Three techniques to aid decision making.

LEARNING OUTCOME SIX

Students will understand the purpose of planning and control and apply processes to a given situation.

Key elements

a) Planning:


 * levels
 * processes with respect to level
 * objective setting
 * barriers.

b) Control:


 * cycle
 * approaches
 * types
 * barriers.

LEARNING OUTCOME SEVEN

Students will discuss two organisational structures, evaluate and recommend a structure for a given situation.

Key elements

a) Hierarchy and departmentalisation. b) Alternative structures:


 * advantages
 * disadvantages.

c) Structural aspects:


 * centralisation versus decentralisation
 * mechanistic versus organic
 * formal versus informal
 * span of control
 * co-ordination and control.

LEARNING OUTCOME EIGHT

Students will understand and apply knowledge of leadership, motivation and delegation.

Key elements

a) Leadership:


 * one theory
 * styles, two of:
 * autocratic
 * charismatic
 * transformational
 * transactional
 * participative
 * other.

b) Motivation:


 * one theory.

c) Delegation:


 * accountability
 * responsibility
 * authority
 * empowerment
 * process.

LEARNING OUTCOME NINE

Students will understand team dynamics and how teams can influence the organisation.

Key elements

a) Types:


 * informal
 * formal.

b) Formation process. c) Roles:


 * team
 * individuals.

d) Performance:


 * effective
 * dysfunctional.