Lesson Plan
Course Title: Research in IT Solutions
Session Title: Decision-Making Techniques for the IT Field
Lesson Duration:
Lesson length is subjective and will vary from instructor to instructor
Performance Objective:
After completing this assignment, the student will be able to
1. collaborate with experts and mentors in the IT field for input on the best decision making
techniques
2. analyze and research IT issues to create solutions addressing those real world IT
problems and issues
3. create a written research proposal which includes a solution to a real world IT problem
4. create an informative presentation to share decision-making techniques with experts in
the IT field
5. evaluate decision-making techniques and seek peer review to improve the overall
process
Specific Objectives:
The student will
•
•
•
•
•
•
collaborate in person or virtually with a mentor in a local community to identify issues or
problems facing IT professionals in a real world scenario
will utilize top research engines and databases to seek solutions to address real world
problems or issues facing the IT industry
create a written proposal to include literature review, solution alternatives, budget cost
comparison, and ranking of solutions or results
create a presentation to identify at least 3 criteria required by the mentor or industry
representative when creating the solution to the problem or issue
present a recommended solution and alternatives to an audience to include mentors and
peers
conduct peer evaluations and rate other students’ presentations
•
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
(TEK 5B)
The student creates a technological solution for a problem in the field of information technology.
The student is expected to:
(A)
apply critical-thinking strategies to develop a solution using appropriate technologies and
resources, information technology concepts, and industry standards;
IT: Research IT Solutions: Decision-Making Techniques for the IT Field
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(B)
(C)
apply decision-making techniques to the selection of technological solutions; and
explain how the proposed technological solution will resolve the problem.
Instructor/Trainer
References:
Content developer knowledge
Instructional Aids:
•
Student IT Decision-Making Techniques for the IT Field Research Assignment
•
Student IT Research Proposal Rubric
•
Student IT Research Presentation Rubric
•
Student Peer Review Rubric
Materials Needed:
Access to internet for research purposes, presentation software, word processing software
Equipment Needed:
computer, projector, speakers
Learner
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
The teacher will arrange for a guest speaker in the field of IT (Information
Technology). That person should pose problems facing professionals in the industry.
To prepare for this event, students will need to write down and submit 3 questions to
the teacher that will be posed to the IT professional
Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
Instructor Notes:
IT: Research IT Solutions: Decision-Making Techniques for the IT Field
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The guest speaker will deliver a short presentation to Student IT Decision-Making
introduce him or herself and will share information
Techniques for the IT field
about their background and about their industry
Research Assignment
The speaker will answer the prepared student
questions
Students will identify a problem or issue facing the IT
industry based on interviews with the guest speaker.
Student IT Decision-Making
Techniques for the IT field
Research Assignment
Students will pose research questions to the
instructor and/or mentor from IT field.
Students will research using a variety of sources
including the library and on-line resources
Students will create a written proposal from prior
research to include an introduction, literary review,
solution alternatives, budget comparison,
recommended action, and conclusion.
Student IT Research
Proposal Rubric
IT: Research IT Solutions: Decision-Making Techniques for the IT Field
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Students will create an informative presentation on
the research proposal to share with the IT mentor
and class peers.
Student IT Research
Presentation Rubric
Students will conduct peer reviews on IT decision
making presentations.
Student Peer Review Rubric
Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Students will be instructed to think about problems that may be faced by IT
professionals today. Students will think of at least 3 questions to ask an IT
professional and submit those questions to the instructor
The instructor will invite IT professionals to visit the class either personally or
virtually. Questions from the students will be asked of the IT professional. The IT
professional will suggest several real world problems or issues that might be
researched for this project
MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
The students will:
•
research using library and online research databases to write an introduction
to the problem and literature review
•
research and identify at least 3 viable solutions from research
•
research costs associated with each of the 3 solutions posed from their
research
IT: Research IT Solutions: Decision-Making Techniques for the IT Field
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•
create a cost comparison for the 3 solutions included in the research
proposal
•
choose one recommended action and provide a persuasive explanation and
reason for that action
•
write a conclusion and include works cited in the research proposal
•
create a presentation from the research proposal and deliver it to the IT
mentor and peers.
Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Literature review of research submitted to instructor.
Evaluation
MI
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
•
•
•
•
MI
mentor input
question sets provided to mentor from student
research works cited
student peer reviews
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
Written research proposal and presentation assessed using attached rubrics.
IT: Research IT Solutions: Decision-Making Techniques for the IT Field
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Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
Students should create an information technology blog to share resources, ideas on
IT decision making, and research conducted in the course
IT: Research IT Solutions: Decision-Making Techniques for the IT Field
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Icon
MI
Verbal/ Linguistic
Logical/ Mathematical
Visual/Spatial
Musical/ Rhythmic
Bodily/ Kinesthetic
Teaching Strategies
Lecture, discussion,
journal writing,
cooperative learning,
word origins
Problem solving,
number games, critical
thinking, classifying
and organizing,
Socratic questioning
Mind-mapping,
reflective time, graphic
organizers, colorcoding systems,
drawings, designs,
video, DVD, charts,
maps
Use music, compose
songs or raps, use
musical language or
metaphors
Use manipulatives,
hand signals,
pantomime, real life
situations, puzzles and
board games,
activities, role-playing,
action problems
Reflective teaching,
interviews, reflective
listening, KWL charts
Personal Development Strategies
Reading, highlighting, outlining,
teaching others, reciting information
Cooperative learning,
role-playing, group
brainstorming, crosscultural interactions
Studying in a group, discussing
information, using flash cards with
other, teaching others
Natural objects as
manipulatives and as
background for
learning
Connecting with nature, forming study
groups with like-minded people
Socratic questions,
real life situations,
global
problems/questions
Considering personal relationship to
larger context
Intrapersonal
Interpersonal
Naturalist
Existentialist
Organizing material logically, explaining
things sequentially, finding patterns,
developing systems, outlining, charting,
graphing, analyzing information
Developing graphic organizers, mindmapping, charting, graphing, organizing
with color, mental imagery (drawing in
the mind’s eye)
Creating rhythms out of words, creating
rhythms with instruments, playing an
instrument, putting words to existing
songs
Moving while learning, pacing while
reciting, acting out scripts of material,
designing games, moving fingers under
words while reading
Reflecting on personal meaning of
information, studying in quiet settings,
imagining experiments, visualizing
information, journaling
IT: Research IT Solutions: Decision-Making Techniques for the IT Field
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Name_______________________
Date________________________
Student IT Decision-Making Techniques for the IT Field Research Assignment
Congratulations! You have been given the opportunity to produce and contribute solutions for
real world problems and issues facing IT professionals today. This opportunity will give you
valuable experience in the decision-making process and will allow you to see some of the real
issues facing IT professionals today
As part of this process you will complete the following tasks.
Interview an IT professional and submit at least 3 questions about the issues or problems faced
in that industry today
 Choose one question or problem to research and solve, as a result of your interview.
Your question or problem should be stated as a hypothesis and given to your instructor
for approval prior to beginning research

1. Research
• Find at least 5 journal articles to ensure a variety of perspectives relating to your
research. Write a short summary of each article
• Create a works cited page formatted properly, to use for your research proposal
 Literary review: This will help you start your final research proposal
• create a title page using proper format guidelines
• create an introduction
• create a literary review that includes a discussion of your journal articles following
proper formatting guidelines
• include works cited
 Final research proposal
• alternative solutions:
• add a new section entitled alternative solutions to your literary
review
• list at least 3 solutions to the problem or question.
• cost comparison:
• research costs associated with each solution and include a table
or spreadsheet comparing those costs
• recommended action:
• choose a recommended course of action and persuade the
reader, your mentor and/or instructor, why this is the correct
course of action. Include a new section entitled recommended
action.
• conclusion:
•
include a conclusion section in the proposal
IT: Research IT Solutions: Decision-Making Techniques for the IT Field
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 Write a small paragraph that includes your initial question or problem.
•
Abstract
 problem and explains the purpose of the letter. Include keywords.
The abstract should be the second page of the research proposal.
Your final paper should have the following pieces: Title Page, Abstract, Introduction, Literature
Review, Alternative Solutions, Cost Comparison, Recommended Action, Conclusion, and Works
Cited.
Presentation: Develop and deliver a 5-minute presentation on your research proposal to an IT
mentor and classroom peers. The presentation should identify the main question or problem,
alternative solutions, cost comparisons and recommended actions
IT: Research IT Solutions: Decision-Making Techniques for the IT Field
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Student Research Proposal Rubric
Criteria
Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Very Poor
Research
Question/
Problem
Research
clearly and
concisely stated
in the paper. A
thorough
analysis of
different
perspectives
provided in
literature review.
Format follows
proper format
guidelines as
directed by the
instructor. No
grammar and/or
spelling issues.
Research clearly
and concisely stated
in proposal. Good
analysis of literature
review to give a
variety of
perspectives.
Research
question stated
in proposal,
some literature
review
conducted,
some literature
does not relate
to issue.
Objective is not
clearly stated in
proposal.
Little to no
effort given.
Format follows
proper format
guidelines as
directed by the
instructor. 1-2
grammar and/or
spelling issues.
Minor formatting
issues, 3-5
grammar and/or
spelling issues.
Major formatting
issues, more than 5
grammar and/or
spelling issues.
Content
Strong
introduction,
literary review, 3
alternative
solutions, great
cost comparison
provided with
links to support
findings, strong
action statement
with support,
strong
concluding
paragraph.
Good introduction,
literary review, 3
alternative solutions
provided, cost
comparison included
with supporting
links, persuasive
action statement
provided with
support, conclusion
given.
Introduction, literary
review is weak, at
least 2 alternative
solutions provided,
cost comparison
weak, action
statement very weak
with little to no
support given,
concluding paragraph
provided.
Works Cited
Follows proper
format
guidelines as
directed by the
instructor,
includes more
then 5 sources.
Follows proper
format guidelines as
directed by the
instructor, includes
at least 5 sources.
Introduction,
literary review, 3
alternative
solutions, cost
comparison
provided with no
links, action
statement
included,
conclusion
given. Needs
more effort. Not
as persuasive
but all content
provided.
Follows proper
format
guidelines as
directed by the
instructor,
includes less
than 5 sources.
Did not
follow
proper
format
guidelines
as directed
by the
instructor.
Little to no
effort given.
Format and
Presentation
Does not follow
proper format
guidelines as directed
by the instructor, less
than 5 sources.
Little to no
effort given.
IT: Research IT Solutions: Decision-Making Techniques for the IT Field
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Student Research Presentation Rubric
Criteria
Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Presentation
Format
Format
highlights is very
professional,
Information is
concise, font
size is
appropriate,
graphics add
interest, audio
level adds
impact to overall
presentation of
content. Very
unified product
following
principles and
elements of
design. Rule of
thirds evident.
Format follows
proper format
guidelines as
directed by the
instructor. No
grammar and/or
spelling issues.
Strong
Introduction, 3
alternative
solutions, great
cost comparison
provided with
links to support
findings, strong
action statement
with support,
strong
conclusion.
Format is
professional. Font is
readable. Graphics
used, but more
needed or are low
quality. Audio used,
but audio includes
little to no
adjustment. Unified
and follows
principles and
elements of design.
Rule of thirds
evident.
some of the
formatting used
distracts user.
Graphics are
used but are low
quality. More
graphics
needed. No
audio used.
Formatting needs much
improvement. Font size not
appropriate or unreadable.
Format is not unified.
Format follows
proper format
guidelines as
directed by the
instructor. 1-2
grammar and/or
spelling issues.
Good introduction, 3
alternative solutions
provided, cost
comparison included
with supporting links,
persuasive action
statement provided
with support,
conclusion given.
Major formatting issues, more
than 5 grammar and/or
spelling issues.
High Quality
Graphics/Multim
edia used,
related to
purpose of
presentation and
was very
effective.
High Quality
Graphics/Multimedia
used
Formatting
guidelines
followed with
minor format
issues, 3-5
grammar and/or
spelling issues.
Introduction, 3
alternative
solutions, cost
comparison
provided with no
links, action
statement
included,
conclusion
given. Needs
more effort. Not
as persuasive
but all content
provided.
Graphics/Multim
edia used poor
quality
Works Cited and
Grammar/Spelling
Content
Graphics
Introduction, at least 2
alternative solutions provided,
cost comparison weak, action
statement very weak with little
to no support given, weak
conclusion.
No graphics or multimedia
provided during presentation.
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Student Peer Review Handout
Student Name: ________________ Title of Presentation: ____________________
Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Knowledge of
Topic
Quality of
Presentation
Q/A Provided to
Audience
During
Presentation
Other
Feedback
Student Name: ________________ Title of Presentation: ____________________
Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Knowledge of
Topic
Quality of
Presentation
Q/A Provided to
Audience
During
Presentation
Other
Feedback
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