Workshop III

Lesson Structure

There are 3 lessons in this course:

1. Evaluating Workplace Efficiency
2. Human Resources Supervision
3. Plan Workplace Projects - cyclical or finite.

LEARNING WITH PROBLEM BASED LEARNING

Problem Based Learning (ie. PBL) is a way of learning that was originally developed for teaching medicine in universities in America (1980's). The concept was adapted and applied to horticulture teaching by Vancover University a decade or so later. In 2003, our school adapted the concept to use in distance education courses.

This concept in essence involves the student working in teams to deal with a hypothetical issue. Every aspect of the issue being investigated is highly prescribed and carefully constructed to lead the student through a pathway of experiences that are going to achieve carefully prescribed learning outcomes.

For the uninitiated, a PBL project may sometimes appear of questionable value; but extensive academic studies have shown that this method of learning is every bit as effective as attending face to face practicals, lectures or workshops. In fact PBL has been show to have a variety of long term benefits over and above what is normally achieved through more conventional education.

Each PBL Project Begins with a Prescription of the Issue to be Dealt With

For example:
 
Project Aim
Identify efficiency problems that occur in the production process at a workplace, develop efficiency improving procedures, and follow up and improvements’ assessing procedures.


Learning Outcomes

1. Evaluate the efficiency of workplace operations
2. Develop procedures for improving workplace efficiency.
3. Implement strategies to improve workplace efficiency.
4. Determine indicators to assess strategies efficiency.
   
   

Problem Definition
You are a manager in one section or department of a big company (relevant to your industry sector). Your boss wants you to evaluate the efficiency of your workplace operations, and to suggest and implement changes that will improve your section’s sustainability. 

Your section’s profits have been level for a while, and the shareholders want to improve the company’s profits without major inversion. Your department is of interest to the company, but profits have not grown for the last 6 months. You have the same number of clients, and incoming business is the same than before, nonetheless some clients are complaining about your services, in terms of quality and service time.

You suspect there are several different problems causing delays and loss of quality. Your initial assessment agrees with this, but to confirm this you will need to undertake a thorough investigation of the business’s operations efficiency and collect further evidence to make decisions. You want also to involve your staff in the process.

Your job is:
  1.1  Determine 5 different areas for major improvement in workplace efficiency from specified workplaces.
  1.2  Direct a half hour committee meeting to develop procedures for improved efficiency in a specific workplace
  1.3  Develop a plan to implement and follow up efficiency improvements.
  1.4  Develop indicators to assess workplace efficiency improvements. 

Following this, the student is directed on how to establish a team (with a mentor from our school, and sometimes one or more others); and how to proceed from there.