Inspiration-challenged lizard seeks ideas ::G::

[draconis]

Today marks the first day of the last semester in the pursuit of my Bachelor's Degree. I have exactly one course, "Culminating Special Project."

"The culminating special project may take the form of an academic research paper or creative activity project resulting in a tangible product, either of which should demonstrate synthesis of a student's coursework" -- in this case, Information Technology, Software Development, and Management courses.

The only problem is, the ideas I've had so far haven't really "grabbed" me, if you know what I mean? I've gotten a couple of very good suggestions from gryphonrhi and alysswolf, and a few that crawled up from the depths of my own reptilian mind, but nothing that really lights my fire.

I've been leaning towards the Project option rather than the academic paper, although I'm not excluding the Paper option at this point. "The project may consist of creating curriculum materials for training, designing/developing a computer program, building a website, etc. You will be required to identify a professional in your project field to review the proposal, the final project and the PowerPoint presentation."

To date, the two front-runners have been a pair of software development ideas. One would be for use in designing the curriculum for a martial arts school, the other would be for setting up a schedule for a convention (juggling speakers, panels, rooms, etc. so that you don't have the same speaker scheduled to be in three places at once). Unfortunately, the latter idea has a flaw in that I don't know anyone who would qualify as a professional in that field. For the former idea, I could use either my current or previous martial arts instructor.

Further suggestions gladly taken!

Comments

[themouseketeer.livejournal.com]

My first thought was (as I was still reading) to do something to do with martial arts as that is your passion. And I kind of went 'Nah' when I read it had to be IT stuff, cause I couldn't see how the two would mesh. Then you proved me wrong.

As for the convention stuff, I would think that a 'professional' in that field would be someone who regularly organises conventions. (Whether or not they are paid full time to do so) and among the hoards of people you know there are quite a few who 'do' conventions of various sorts so I am sure that *someone* knows someone who might help if you *really* want to do it.

Another idea is kind of exercise based - 'If I want to exercise *this* muscle, or have *that* effect (e.g. stronger vs. leaner etc) Oh, and I have *the other* restriction (damaged arm so can't use that. Neck injury so can't strain that.) then which exercise could/should I do?' There are a lot of questions like that on the Twenty1days community. It may be too complex on the medical side, but it was a thought.

[jcbdragon.livejournal.com]

::nods:: another good suggestion, thank you!

While covering the full range of muscle groups would have a huge scope, it certainly presents some interesting challenges.

Any ideas for how to indicate desired areas of change, and/or restrictions? The first solution that comes to my mind is a simple point-and-click map of the body's musculature, but then you get back into issues of the large scope, not to mention being able to select the right muscles with your mouse.

Although if you just did major muscle groups, that wouldn't be as bad...

Hmmmmm....

[shrewreader.livejournal.com]

the other would be for setting up a schedule for a convention (juggling speakers, panels, rooms, etc. so that you don't have the same speaker scheduled to be in three places at once).

Actually, I'd think you could easily find a 'supervisor' in house for this one. Scheduling physicians so they're not supposed to be 3 places at the same time (particularly surgeons) is a massive challenge and one that your employer should tackle if it doesn't already.

At the same time, model the martial arts instruction program on a scheduling program in general for tx plans, and boom. Program that is also in-house applicable.

have fun...

[jcbdragon.livejournal.com]

Actually, our only interaction with the physicians is handling their insurance claims info. However, a program like that could easily be adapted for use by doctor's offices, hospitals, etc... although from what I've seen, they still tend to use the old paper-calendar method.

[shrewreader.livejournal.com]

alas, I regret that that has been my observation as well....

[kat-denton.livejournal.com]

The scheduling one could also be modeled for student's class schedules. Adding the 'physically possible to get from one class to another in the break between the classes'. Since MY university can't manage that...... (I've since learned to be VERY aware of the building numbers when I choose my sections!!!)

[jcbdragon.livejournal.com]

LOL I'll bet you have!

And yeah, I've noticed that most large universities seem to think that you should be able to get from one side of their campus to the other in 5-10 minutes. For a physically compact campus, that's one thing, but for a sprawling campus, that can be a real challenge!

[maygra.livejournal.com]

Hi you!

you know, just a thought for the even planning project -- most large hotels have event planners or coordinators, as do most large convention centers (And I think there are several in your area.) Would it be worhtwhile to contact them with your ideas -- they would certianly qualify as professionals in the industry. (And I actually believe there is a national association for event planners.)

And in other news: Congratulations on being that much lcoser to your degree!

[maygra.livejournal.com]

...Or, rather closer to your degree. *g*

[jcbdragon.livejournal.com]

Very true!

For that matter, I'm sure that every college in the world has to have *something* like this, to handle scheduling their classes.