It’s been a busy couple of weeks since the Emerge event in York, which I see as the starting date for Sounds Good. I’d conveniently forgotten how much there is to do when a project is getting under way. Apart from the day job, here are some of the things I’ve done recently in my role as Project Manager.

1. •Trawled Leeds Met for a few more colleagues to join the project. We’ve now reached sixteen,which is fine.
   

2. •Compiled three detailed written briefings for the team, explaining what’s going on, setting out expectations, giving instructions on getting equipped to record digital audio, advising on what to tell students, etc.
   

3. •Agreed with colleagues a briefing from me to all the (very varied) students who will be receiving audio feedback on some of their coursework.
   

4. •Tried to meet team members individually rather than convene a meeting which not many would be able to attend. In a few cases we’ve had to settle for a phone call rather than getting together, but I’ve pretty much done the rounds. I hope we’re now all clear about what we’re doing.
   

5. •Received most of the ‘Planning Forms’ from the team. These put in writing what each colleague will be doing with his/her students and give an indicative timetable for the gathering of data. It won’t be the same for everyone.
   

6. •Checked on and nudged the process of obtaining the MP3 recorders ordered a while ago. Despite the enquiries and gentle pressure, they’re overdue.
   

7. •Sent the budget to the University’s finance officer.
   

8. •Drafted a project plan for JISC. Fingers crossed that it’s OK.
   

9. •Along with other Leeds Met staff involved in JISC Users and Innovation projects, done a presentation at a ‘think-tank’ run by the University’s new Technology-Enhanced Learning team.
   

10. •Spent quite a while poring over prototypes of the Sounds Good website and blog, and giving feedback to its designer, Simon Thomson, Deputy Project Manager.
    

11. •Written this on a Sunday!
    

I take the view that the project is exploratory and I don’t want to impose a rigid framework. Consistent with this, I’ve adopted a pragmatic, relaxed approach when negotiating with colleagues what they will do. I’ve emphasised they shouldn’t over-commit or over-burden themselves on the project. I’ve largely been happy to accept their suggestions on groups they will work with and what audio feedback they will give their students. There’s quite a bit of variation in the plans. Maybe some of the proposals won’t work well or produce much data, but they seem worth trying. Even a ‘failure’ may teach us something about the limits of using audio for feedback.

So where are we up to? Things are beginning to move; one or two colleagues have started giving audio feedback to their students, using tools they already have. For most, though, that’s in the future. I’m feeling slightly anxious about how it will all go, but that’s probably inevitable at this early stage. I’d be happier if the team had received their MP3 recorders. I worry about the students disappearing for the summer before we can capture their opinions. On the other hand, we’ve got a good staff team and the spirit is distinctly positive. We’re launched and, despite my butterflies, I think we’re probably OK at present.

Now back to the day job for a while.

Bob Rotheram