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Under New Management

by Michael Johnson
 

Ratings

Overall Rating:

3.75 stars
Content Quality: 4.25 stars
Effectiveness: 3.75 stars
Ease of Use: 3.75 stars
Reviewed: Dec 11, 2008 by Business Editorial Board
Overview: This is a web site created for the Organizational Behavior Division of the Academy of Management. It creates an area for published inforamtion to be posted where individuals can also review the material through Podcasting. There is informative inforamation such as how many times the podcast was reviewed and a summary of the material.
Learning Goals: The purpose for this site is to give the members of the Academy of Management: Organizational Behavior Division, the opportunity to listen to articles from their peers for continued learning or research in the field of Leadership and Organizational Behavior.
Target Student Population: The target population appears to be for individuals studying leadership and organizational behavior, individuals working in the corporate world as a leader and manager, or instructors who facilitate management courses. The level would be undergraduate level subject matter.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: Some pre-requisites for this material are business experience, a high school level of education, knowledge of basic computer skills, and how to use an Ipod or MP3 player along with use of computer speaker experience.
Type of Material: This is a source of reference material in podcasts.
Recommended Uses: Would probably be great supporting materials to be reviewed as part of a homework assignment in either corporate training or college level classes. With followup in class discussions and reading the recommended further readings included with each podcast.
Technical Requirements: You need to have a computer system and a working browser such as explorer, firefox, or other browser to get to the web site and materials. The information is listed on the page but you will need to have working speakers on your system and you also have the option to upload the podcast material into your IPod or MP3 Player. The IPod or MP3 player gives you to the option to take the material and listen to it on the go, mobile.

Evaluation and Observation

Content Quality

Rating: 4.25 stars
Strengths: It provides an innovative way for individuals to review the material other than simply reading the information. This web site offers podcasting which can also reach individuals who have reading disabilities. The information is relevant to leaders in today's competitive corporate environment. The material can be loaded into your IPod and taken anywhere you go. The materiel is current and would be extremely beneficial to the user
Concerns: There are some areas that are non-working such as the XML and PHP site news feeds. There are links to a "Podcasting Center" that are disabled. There should be subject heading folders to organize the podcasts so that when more material is added, the page will not be overwhelming and too long. It would be helpful for the user and instructors to help craft lessons using the materials. If the script is available, it is not obvious and should be a key button on the front page of the material

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating: 3.75 stars
Strengths: The information is progressive and innovative which can pull in many interested individuals. The topic information provided provides individuals with a well rounded bank of information to analyze and contrast with prior knowledge.
Concerns: These appear to be stand-alone interviews. there is no overt connection to the next or previous module and and prerequisites are not indicated. No obvious learning objectives indicated.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating: 3.75 stars
Strengths: The information is easily accessible with a visually appealing format. You can identify the Podcast buttons with a bright organge color. The material has clear summaries and topics outlined for each podcast.
Concerns: Transferring to an ipod or other MP3 device is not very clear.

Other Issues and Comments: To help with many individuals who are new to computers and navigating through the web site, there should be more Icons to refer to what you need to click on the link for. Example: Print option should have a printer for individuals who are more visual in their understanding and to prevent a feeling of overwhelming inforation. It needs that balance of visual interest.
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