To:  Debbie Oesch-Minor

From: Indy Parks  Engaged Community Learning: Marlee, Adam, Miram, Kaleb

Date:  03/10/2023

RE: Team proposal and Progress on research 

 

 

Project Overview

The project is about finding a way to not only connect students with projects within parks that gives experience for their majors, but also to connect with the parks via projects. First, prior research about the subject is done, so questions could be formed for the interview about parts that are hazy. Then an interview with the client happens so there would be a more concrete idea about the scope of the project. The group has to find a way that students could reach the parks that meets both the students and the parks' needs. Furthermore, reach out to faculty to know what the parks do need and research marketing strategies to get students involved. IUPUI wants to connect at least 50 classes with the 200 parks associated with Indy Parks.

 

Community Client

Our client is Dr. Jerry Daday. He is the Executive Associate Dean in the Institute of Engaged Learning. He had explained to the team that he wants to have a long-time partnership between IUPUI and Indy Parks. He wanted the team to research ways to have a model that may work and how to get faculty and students on board.

 

Policy/ Procedures

Our project policy is : 

• Do your assigned work 

• Do your best to respond to group messages

• Be mindful assignments

• Do not be afraid to ask for help from one another

• Be a good group member

Our project procedure is:

• Each member must put their completed work within the right area

• Each member must not plagiarize

• Each member must not forget communication with team members

 

Team member Responsibilities:

During class time we used the time to go over what everyone wanted to do, and what everyone was comfortable with. We talked about what sections we could successfully complete in the project and about what we expect from each other. A group chat is how we communicated with each other and made sure everyone knew what they had to do. 

 

Communication Between members: 

In order to keep in contact, Marlee has created a group chat. We decided as a team to use any time we were given in class to work on the project, and to go over what we needed to work on. There is very little need to keep up every day since we all have faith in each other to complete the work independently. A google doc was created where everyone could add what they wanted, and use any resource on it, sort of like a central hub where everyone can put or take information.

 

Conflict Issues:

If there are issues then first comes peaceful communications with the peacemaker;however, if things somehow get intense then Professor Debbie will be notified to help solve the conflict.  

 

Team Members Strengths and Weaknesses: 

Our group members are all unique and different in their own ways. Everyone has something different to add to the group, and in their own helpful way. What one person may struggle with another can succeed. 

 

Adam Nguyen

Adam offers support through doing tasks assigned steadily. He‘s willing to do any tasks that need to be done and helps by giving some ideas. He has a calm personality and that helps to keep things from getting too hectic. 

 

Miriam Herrera 

Miriam offers support to the group, whenever there are remaining tasks she will sign up to do them. Although the group tends to be good at selecting and accomplishing tasks, it may get too overwhelming at times. Miriam shows her helpful traits by pitching ideas and offering encouragement to the team for their accomplishments.

 

Marlee Hathaway 

Marlee is independent, dependable, and thrives in environments where she is responsible and held accountable for her work. She focuses on the quality of her work and prides herself in being detail-oriented. Marlee deeply values peace and does best in self-paced environments. Although one might not expect this from preferring to be self-paced, she also usually prefers fast-paced work. She responds best to supportive actions and likes to give back support to teammates. 

 

Kaleb Farmer

Kaleb offers support for the group in any ways he can find. He helps with supporting assignments and maintaining peace. His personality is friendly in order to support this. Kaleb also shows inspiring characteristics. 

 

Interview and Takeaways

The team had met with Dr. Daday on 9/28/23. Here are some takeaways from the meeting:

• Wants students involved in research, internships, and community entities

• Wants to find a way to market and sell the idea in the eyes of college students

• Indy parks has 200 parks and wants to know how to put in 50 classes

• How do we engage faculty into hosting these projects in their class

• Research strategies to entice students to enroll in an engaged learning class that involves a statewide community partner 

 

Research Objectives and Methods

Our team plans to survey 25 IUPUI students and X IUPUI faculty using a questionnaire tool created to gather quantitive data consisting of opinions, levels of interest, and necessities. Additional research into industry best practices will be conducted through the use of databases and online materials. 

Research Questions

• How do we get students and faculty on board?

• What is the most effective way to advertise to college students?

• What would entice faculty to take part in a project-based class with a community partner?

Research Online and in Databases

Due to our student team being based at IUPUI, we were able to utilize IUPUI-exclusive databases to conduct secondary research. Several members of our team found Google Scholar to be a helpful resource. 

Research Options

We considered a focus group for each population, but ultimately decided to survey instead to gain a larger perspective on stakeholder needs. 

 

Conclusion

The team decided that the best way to research on how to get students and faculty feedback was through surveying. This helps in finding out what could let faculty want to be a part of the program and spread awareness to other students about new opportunities. This could help IUPUI have a long partnership with Indy Parks.