Haefner's+Intervention+Strategies

=**Jean Haefner's Performance Intervention Strategies**=

>> INTERVENTION STRATEGIES LINK TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES LINK TO FINANCIAL AND BUDGET INFORMATION LINK TO J. HAEFNER'S HOME PAGE


 * Intervention: ** Analyze the need for a portfolio system, and (assuming there is a need) consider internet strategies for delivery by applicants.


 * ADDED Day 4 of Week 7: January 20th **


 * Each of the intervention strategies have associated weaknesses. **
 * ** The largest weakness for the low-cost strategy is placing the burden of the portfolio submission on a single person and over-taxing them, as they have other duties that already fill out their schedule. Using this strategy requires no additional funds -which is a plus in these budget stressed times. **
 * ** The medium-cost strategy might require someone to write the code that connects the portfolio module to the current CMS, in particular because it would somehow have to allow for outside access. A solution would be to have an intake person that would then upload the image submissions to the CMS, but as with the low-cost strategy, it may overtax someone who already has many duties to perform already. **
 * ** The high-cost strategy's weakness is cost and the IT resources needed to develop and complete the project. The biggest benefit would be in possible ability to develop multiple portfolio styles to suit the more creative Art and Design faculty audience. **

=
Having chosen the medium-cost intervention strategy, I feel it the best solution for the program applicants and those involved directly with the selection process.The New York Fashion Institute of Technology uses the same Content Management System that the University of Wisconsin-Stout. They have installed a portfolio submission process that has been tailored to the CMS and is automated. For more information, please see How to Apply:[| http://www.fitnyc.edu/2862.asp] =====


 * ** In one paragraph for each of the strategies you did not use, describe why you rejected it, supporting your decision with data and sound reasoning. **
 * ** Demonstrate how your chosen interview strategy best meets the organizational goals stated in the performance gap in Module 2. **

**Low-cost strategy:** A low cost strategy would have applicants emailing their portfolio materials to one contact person that would then email the portfolio images to the faculty on the review committee. **Pros:** Using email is a low cost using a technology already in place that requires no additional training.
 * Cons:**
 * 1) Email offers limited storage space and the size of the portfolio images may be too large to send via email, or may fill and disable review committee members email boxes.
 * 2) Sending all portfolios to one person in charge of intake would require a great deal of time and therefore money in the form of salary.

**Medium-cost strategy:** A portfolio module could be purchased that works with the current CMS. **Cons:**
 * Pros:** There is a general understanding of how to use the CMS among the faculty, which would transfer to using the portfolio system.
 * 1) Usually these modules are developed to meet education standards and are text-based. They may not fit well with something more creative and visual, and may not handle the appropriate file formats needed for the various areas in the department.
 * 2) It might be difficult to tailor it for use so those outside of the university could use it, and might open the system up to hacking.
 * 3) Students applying to the university may not understand how to use the program and would require Help Desk assistance.

Another technology that is available would be blogs. Blogs could be developed by the person applying to the program, or a blog could be created by the department that would allow applicants to post images, and free blogs could be used. **Cons:**
 * Pros:** There would be no cost associated with the blog application itself. It may be a familiar technology to the student.
 * 1) Students under the age of 18 would need to be considered with FERPA in mind.
 * 2) Students submitting to a department created blog would have their work viewable to other students.

Another medium-cost strategy would be to use Open Source.
 * Pros:** Open Source is free and can be installed and used along with the current system's CMS.
 * Cons:** To install and tailor it to work would require Information Technology (IT) staff, which would add to their workload and add cost.


 * High-cost strategy: **Purchasing a third party software application for a portfolio.
 * Pros:** The application has already been developed and often it's a matter of choosing the style of portfolio and it's appearance and/or layout design.
 * Cons:**
 * 1) None of the styles may appeal to the creative art-type and though it is meant to be a utilitarian application to process student applicants, the faculty might object to the appearance.
 * 2) As this is the most costly, it is likely to be rejected based on cost, or it would require funding to include purchase, installation, maintenance, and support.

There would still be a need to inform and educate faculty about the types of portfolios available and the types that can be developed such as Learning Portfolios -to show what has been learned, Assessment Portfolios -sampled for review by the administration, and Showcase Portfolios -designed as to show the student's best work toward the end of their academics for the purpose of obtaining a job or for application to graduate school.
 * Additional Considerations:**