After our initial meeting we decided to go away and individually research a possible idea for our group project. We wrote out 15 criteria that these would be marked against by using the assessment criteria listed in the module’s resource specification. In the next meeting we pitched each idea to the rest of the group, and discussed our thoughts and considerations on a number of topics. For instance, if there was a limitation to someone’s idea we discussed a way in which it could be improved or changed to better meet our deciding criteria before deciding on a project. Once each idea had been pitched and discussed we wrote an analysis matrix, plotting each of the ideas against the criteria and one another. This allowed us to clearly identify stronger ideas based on the assessment criteria, and is shown in the table below. Taking each score into account we also held a group vote so that each member’s concerns and preferences could be taken into account. The list of our 6 ideas are explained below:

1. Meeting scheduler

The number of back and forth emails that have to be sent to decide on a convenient date for both people, with tools and technologies available to us, planning a meeting should be a lot easier than it is. Existing technologies like Google, Apple and Microsoft calendars haven’t made this easy on a large scale, however smaller versions and applications exist. Therefore I propose a single page app that that allows users manage and schedule meetings; including meeting places and times. The main Technologies is will use are HTML 5 geolocation, Email API, Google MAP and Places API, and a Calendar. Useful features may include the use of common types of meeting Templates, frequently used days, time and places, meeting with multiple people, a Mobile app version and a possible business case. It would benefit members of a business, friends, family, and institutional staff.

2. StudnetLinks

Although this idea is widely known and fairly popular it still poses a problem for students. This idea addresses the limitations in the article “Can social network improve project management”, and can be tailored specifically for group coursework for university students. The key areas it addresses are students complain that “group coursework” assessment is not fair sometime, despite of distribution of marks, and international students facing social and communication problems because of originating from a different education system. The focus therefore is workgroup assignments and final projects, aiding all types of students from different backgrounds in order for them to feel like the work has been fairly distributed. The features of this are as follows:
– All modules have their own page each of which can allow students share their profiles. This is in order to help students get each other and each one knows others’ skills.

– Each student posts their skills, his/her background and area interested in.
– After students grouped up a close and secrete should be created.

– Each group page should provide area for update codes, Q&A as well as enables students to schedule tasks and alert them at the deadline for each one.

– At the end of coursework, a report on proportion of student’s contribution should be issued (AS GITHUP)

– An area for posting stuff related to the modules (AS A DISSCUTION AREA IN BLACKBOARD)

– With regard to subject of dissertation, some of projects are varied. For example, the final project would be on disabilities, so I do need writing about laws of disabilities and I don’t have any idea about. Thus, I need to contact with laws’ students to explain some critical points and where I can find that. This is just an example.

– Search for students in particular department would be easily.

3. Travel Safety app

This idea is a travel safety app which alerts travellers about tourist black-spots and suggests detour routes to avoid going unsafe areas The information is contributed from the social network and other reliable media. The app may have the features as follows:
– It can suggest the most safe route, and give useful guidance/tips (ie. be careful to the pickpocket before taking the train in Paris)
– It will make use of social networks to connect travellers and its news
– Verification of taxis/ tour guides/ hotels/shops/restaurants/police office (prevent illegal operators, black taxis or being overcharged)
– Alert travel updates
– Detect user’s current GPS location and provide suitable emergency contact.
– Provide corresponding embassy details, credit card lost emergency call, insurance company details and claiming procedure

4. Tool to improve existing group sites in academia

Based on the literature I have been reading it suggests that group study for university students in particular could greatly be improved by better management tools, as in most cases students prefer to use social media as a lack of any other competitive options. Specifically I think it should target existing student-based sites that aim to help project management, such as Medeley, and identify how they could be improved. Often this will be something along the lines of ‘it doesnt have an option to invite others to meetings’, or ‘for a project papers that the group are reading can’t easily be stored in the same place for all to have access to’. We can then propose key changes (or a new site entirely) that improves the weak areas, I.e. a group discussion area in blackboard, paper sharing, meeting planning, and personal deadlines all in the same space.

5. Online Memorials

This idea is based upon the collection and presentation of personal information after someone has died. In many cases when someone dies their social networking profiles remain, but act as a place for friends and family to visit to remember them or leave comments. However, a majority of people actually have more than one profile on social media sites, and these aren’t linked up. For example if you gave a family member permission to change your account if you have died, they would not have the same permission on another social networking platform, so your profile on one site may be a cut-off memorial that not everyone can access. This idea is for a tool that scrapes information from each of these platforms (once a family or friend has permission to do so) and displays it on one profile/site, thus making it easier for everyone to see.

6. Charity Crowdsourcing

My suggestion for our social network was something that combines crowdfunding and charity donation sites like JustGiving. This idea is that people can have a profile, show interest in charities/causes etc, create events for fundraisers that people can join in with or do at the same time elsewhere (for example, how Macmillan coffee morning takes place in lots of different places, run by lots of different people but all on the same day) – basically a platform for allowing this.

In conclusion we have picked idea number 3, the travel safety application, as it fits both the most criteria in the matrix, and each member was happy with the idea. Further research and a gantt chart mapping out the stages of our project will follow shortly.

A table to show the analysis matrix conducted in selecting a project idea.

This post represents that coherent structure and story are present in the portfolio which uses the entry and tags mechanism of the blog system. It tells the story of the project by explaining individual roles clearly, explaining why these were decided, and what outcome they will produce later on in the project. 

In addition this post represents Innovation and Creativity by identifying a project idea in a novel and well-informed manner. 

This post also represents that the group has chosen appropriate criteria for the comparison of ideas that directly link to the marking criteria. The analysis matrix criteria were chosen intelligently to produce a project of professional quality, leading to a successful product. 

Written by Briony.