ITPro II: Collaboration and Cooperation

Professional IT Skills for the Workplace

Dr Robert Batzinger

Payap University

2024-09-18

Agenda for today

  • Recap of Session 1
  • Lessons learned from the exercise
  • Some tips and tricks
  • A word about Professional documents
  • Explanation of the Challenge

1 Challenge 1 Recap

1.1 Scenario 1

1.2 Scenario 1: Economic impact of the war in Iran

As the War in Iran continues to escalate, there has been multiple broadcasts suggesting a wide range of pending economic problems in Thailand. Identify the relationship between the war in Iran and the potential for a rise in consumer prices in Thailand. Identify a means for determining which broadcasts are realistic projections and which come from speculation and rumors. Assume that the current conflict continues for another 3-6 months and provide a forecast that contrasts the anticipated levels of inflation that the war will have on consumer costs in various sectors in Thailand: (such as clothing, food, electricity, gasoline, transportation, and USD/Thai Baht exchange rates). Identify the rationale used to determine these values. Attempt to differentiate between data based on rumors and speculation and based on past market behavior. Suggest a method for determining the reliability of the published forecasts and for developing a reasonable strategy for surviving the economic impact of this war.

1.3 Scenario 2: Commercial ads for genAI Bootcamps

With the rapid growth of genAI there has been an explosion of video ads similar to this one:

             https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cNS4wztdTGU?feature=share

Write a 5 page paper to suggest the marketing strategy that is behind these ads and provide evidence that can prove or disprove the various bold claims made by them. Identify a means to determine if such ads are a scam or are telling the truth. Suggest a method for evaluating the validity and relevance for such ads. Suggest steps to be taken by individuals and by governments to ensure truth in advertisements. Conclude with recommendations for younger siblings considering an educational path after graduation from high school in the age of genAI. Provide evidence that your recommendations are cost-effective means for equipping them for employment in a world using genAI

1.4 Scenario 3: validity and veracity of genAI generated ads.

Now that genAI can create video and audio voice-overs, it is easy to create ads for the internet like these:

https://youtu.be/L1NGh1jYUSE

Suggest a strategy to determine the truthfulness of such video clips. What marketing techniques were used to convince potential customers to buy what they are selling? Attempt to determine how common this type of commercial messaging is among ads shown on YouTube. Identify the pattern of information flow common to this type of ad.

1.5 Grading rubric

Criteria
Group members identified
Formatted with a professional look and feel
Clearly addresses all the issues raised in logical order
Written to communicate effectively in an appropriate language

2 Lessons learned from the exercise

2.1 Format

  • Proper use of font faces: normal, Bold, italic
  • Proper use of font sizes: 10pt, 12pt; 14pt, 17pt,20pt
  • Spacing around headers: 1.5 linespace, 0.5 linespace * Nested identation: paragraphs, bullets, lists
  • Tabular / structured data
  • Footnote /citations
  • Abstract or Executive Summary

2.2 Multiple uses of genAI

  • Brainstorming
  • Organizing (logical order)
  • Drafting
  • Copyediting (wording, spelling, tone, readability, perspective)
  • Critiquing
  • Criticism

2.3 Structure of an Academic paper

  • Title: descriptive title of the paper
  • Abstract: a brief summary of the main purpose, methods, results and conclusions of the paper
  • Introduction: explains the context behind the research question
  • Literature review: explains the current state of knowledge and the significance of this paper.
  • Methods: description of methods used to conduct the research, collect and analyze the data
  • Results: presents the findings within the data collected using tables, charts, graphs, or other graphic images
  • Discussion: interpret and explain the results or findings, and relates them to the research question
  • Conclusion: summarize the main points and findings of the paper, and provide suggestions for future research or action
  • References: list of the sources that were cited in the paper

3 Level of language

  • Tell me how to cook a poached egg in instructions suitable for a Primary 1 student
  • Tell me how to cook a poached egg in instructions written in a professional language appropriate for a university chemistry professor
  • Tell me how to cook a poached egg in a language that my good buddy from Tennessee would use with his children
  • Tell how to cook a poached egg like Dr Suess would describe it.

3.1 Nature of medium

  • LINE
  • Facebook
  • Blog
  • Email
  • Letter
  • Paper
  • Book

3.2 Structure of Business documents

  • Title page: title of the report, the author’s name and the date of submission.
  • Executive summary: overview of the main points and findings of the report, 1 pg or less highlighting the purpose, scope, methods, results, conclusions and recommendations.
  • Table of contents: list of the headings and subheadings, along with corresponding page numbers
  • Introduction: background and context of the report as well as the focus, objectives and scope
  • Methods and findings: describes the methods used to collect and analyze the data. Includes a presentation of the results and findings of the research
  • Conclusions and recommendations: summarize the main findings and implications of the report, and provide suggestions for future actions based on the evidence and analysis.
  • References: list of the sources that were cited in the report
  • Appendices: supplementary information that supports the report, such as raw data, calculations, questionnaires, etc.

4 Explanation of the Challenge

4.1 Challenge for Week 2:

  • Propose a 3hr workshop by developing 2 documents:

    • a flyer or poster to advertise the workshop to potential participants, and a
    • 4 page business proposal to describe the project

  • The goal of the workshop to strengthen ties with local enterprises, the university and the community

4.2 Choose one of the following scenarios

  1. Teach a group of adults tourists
    how to cook some popular Thai dishes in a microwave

  2. Introduce a group of middle schoolers
    to rope safety and rock wall climbing

  3. Introduce a group of hill tribe entrepreneurs
    to the design and silk screening of printed tee shirts

4.3 The proposal must cover:

  • the venue, instructor and equipment to be used
  • the topics to be covered and the schedule of activities
  • the budget of all costs: honorariums, rentals, materials used, etc.
  • the proposed course fees for participants to cover costs at a level the students can afford.
  • safety considerations and limitations to be addressed