First Exam on 29 May at 1:30 PM in SAIL Computer Lab, builing 79

Group Organization

The first milestone for each group is to select a group name and develop a group contract to guide group operations. Each group will design, develop, and produce a group contract that is a formal, graded document created by the entire group. The contract should state the rules of operation for the group, including the standards for participation (attendance, cooperation, timeliness, professionalism, etc.). Another item in the contract is two (2) mutually agreeable weekly meeting times of at least 1 ½ hours each. You will find it helpful if one of these group meeting periods is on a day other than class meeting days. Setting group meetings only on class days prevents you from having time to think about assignments before starting to work on them. Job schedules, other class projects, extra-curricular activities, etc. are not valid excuses for missing group meetings or not completing group assignments on time. Students are expected to keep this time free for group meetings. Even though we study the functions of and work with technology, it cannot be used to totally replace face-to-face meetings. Each group is expected to regularly meet together as a group.

Each group should email me their group name, group roster, and group Charter before class on Wednesday, 10 July at the latest. This means it should be edited, neatly printed, and SIGNED by each group member BEFORE class starts. The group contract will be the basis for operating the group during the semester. I estimate that an adequate group contract would be a minimum of two typed pages in length, PLUS the group peer evaluation form.

Each group will need a group leader who will coordinate activities and through whom I can communicate with the group. The contract will include each member's day and evening phone numbers so that group members can maintain contact with each other, and so I can contact the group if necessary. It is mandatory that each team member get a student e-mail account for access to campus e-mail. Put the e-mail address on the contract so that I may contact you. Group members should check their e-mail account often during the week for messages. The projects for this class require that the students FREQUENTLY use special computer software reserved for this class. It is not likely that anyone will have access to this software elsewhere and the entire class will be sharing this scarce and limited resource. Therefore, group members need to be considerate of other groups in adhering to usage schedules and flexible as to hours of usage. NOTE: Not everyone will be able to complete their project the night before it is due. Some of you will have to use forward scheduling and properly budget your time on the computer system.

The contract will also include a group peer evaluation form. This is the form the group will use to evaluate team member participation. (NOTE: the evaluation forms for the groups will be different depending upon group priorities.) At a minimum the group peer evaluation form will include the following items: attendance, preparation, cooperation/collegiality, attitude, level of participation, quantity and quality of work, initiative, demonstrated knowledge of course material, and overall contribution. The peer evaluation form will provide: (1) a total of the rating for the evaluee (out of a possible 100%); (2) and the names of both persons. As many other traits may be evaluated as the group chooses. Think of the personal traits necessary for a successful working relationship when you depend on that person's performance for your own success. Be innovative and creative. The library is a good source for additional references on this subject.

Each group will rate its members performance twice during the semester. One evaluation will be about mid-term and one at the end of the semester. Expected, normal performance will be a grade of 85. Any grade above 85 or below 60 must be documented with the details of the specific instances which warrant the evaluation given. Only EXCEPTIONAL performance should rate a grade above this. Performance lower than 60 percent will result in NEGATIVE peer evaluation points for the participant. (See scale). Your ability to participate and contribute in all aspects of the group's work is extremely important to your success in this course. Overall peer evaluation points will account for up to 10 percent of each student's final grade.

Each student should keep a journal of activities in order to refresh their memory and to document individual performance. I may ask for these journals periodically during the semester to check on group activities and participation.

Peer evaluation	
0      20      40        60       80    85        100 Percent
+--------------------------------------------------+
-10                      0    5    8    9          10 Points
	Peer Evaluation Point Conversion Scale

Another detail of the group contract is the circumstances, procedures, and justification for "firing" a member from the group. In the unlikely event that a group finds it necessary to "fire" a group member, that group member will NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE FOR ANY FURTHER PORTION OF THE GROUP'S GRADE. A student that is fired from a group must fulfill all the requirements for the project(s), but individually (or in a group with other "fired" team members). The same requirements apply to any student who quits a group. Anyone who is fired from a team, or who quits a team forfeits ALL peer evaluation points.

Each group assignment, beginning with the contract, will have a typed cover sheet. This cover sheet will include the name of the group, the name of the assignment, the due date of the assignment, the names of the group members participating in the assignment, and the percentage each of these group members contributed to the assignment.

Sample scales for peer evaluation forms. You are NOT required to use any part of this....in fact you probably shouldn't use it other than for ideas.

	I.	Attendance at group meetings
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
0  10  20  30  40   50     60       70        80    85    90       100
never                     usually                  always        
there                      there                    there


	II.	Preparation for group meetings
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
0  10  20  30  40   50     60       70        80    85    90       100 
   never                usually                    always 
worked ahead          worked ahead               worked ahead


	III.	Cooperation with others in the group
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
0  10  20  30  40   50     60       70        80    85    90       100 
rude, obnoxious         cooperative                very
uncooperative                                   cooperative  


	IV.	Participation in group discussions and work assignments.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
0  10  20  30  40   50     60       70        80    85    90       100 
  didn't                usually had             always had
contribute             contributions      significant contributions


	V.	Quality of work
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
0  10  20  30  40   50     60       70        80    85    90       100 
always had to           some rework,             always good
be redone            usually acceptable       work, exemplary


	VI.	Quantity of work
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
0  10  20  30  40   50     60       70        80    85    90       100 
never did               did his/her               did most of
any work                 fair share             work on project


	VII.	Initiative
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
0  10  20  30  40   50     60       70        80    85    90       100 
never made               often made            led group, had
suggestions              suggestions            great ideas


VIII.	Group cohesiveness
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
0  10  20  30  40   50     60       70        80    85    90       100 
extremely               pleasant,              very cooperative,
dysfunctional           cooperative             group leader


	IX.	Demonstrated knowledge of course content and subject matter.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
0  10  20  30  40   50     60       70        80    85    90       100 
never learned           usually knew            always knew
any course info         what to do              what to do


	X.	Overall contribution to the group's efforts
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
0  10  20  30  40   50     60       70        80    85    90       100 
would have been          did what                carried the  
easier without         was expected            group on his/her
him/her                                           shoulders

Internal Group Management

One final note about the course schedule: I have tried to "front end load" the schedule with respect to covering the text material and taking exams. I did this so you can get from the text a basic understanding of the System Analysis and Design process. You will USE this process to guide your group project efforts. I want you to have as much time as possible to work on your projects as possible after learning about the process.

Course Policies:

• All references to specific times on any pages for this course are for Central Daylight or Central Standard Time, depending upon which is applicable during the year.
• There is no specific "attendance" policy. All that is required is that students successfully complete the assignments and exams. It is the responsibility of the student to communicate with me regarding any questions or other information requirements that he/she may have. Do not expect me to conduct a "private" lecture for you if you miss a class.
• It is the responsibility of the student to arrange his/her personal schedule so that he/she can complete all assignments at the designated times.
• There will be no incomplete grades assigned (except under extraordinary circumstances - as defined by me). Students are expected to complete course work according to the course schedule.
• In accordance with University policy (see "Class Attendance," page 59), the only acceptable reasons for missing an exam or quiz are (A) observance of a religious holiday, (B) imposed legal responsibilities, (C) extracurricular activities as official university representatives, and (D) personal illness severe enough to require professional medical attention, or death in the immediate family. All reasons will require documentation. "Immediate family" is defined as a parent or sibling. You are responsible for contacting me regarding your personal situation and for providing any documentation substantiating your situation. It is very desirable to inform me of any absence BEFORE it occurs.
• In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with bona fide disabilities will be afforded reasonable accommodation. The Disabled Student Services Office will certify a disability and advise faculty members of reasonable accommodations. See page 29 of the catalog.