This paper describes the project management and design process models used in a project which aims to develop multimedia materials for use in the teaching of educational research skills to post-graduate researchers. Specifically the project focuses on processes and skills in the formulation and conduct of educational research such as the definition of the topic area, literature searching, the organization, storage and manipulation of data and the preparation of theses and reports.
The project management model uses a collaborative environment within which each member of the team undertakes a multitude of roles including those of developer, subject and technical expert, critical friend, end user and validator. Informed loosely by the notions of chaos and fuzzy thinking, and derived from a constructivist perspective, the development process model is an iterative research one, which parallels the thinking concerned with the practices of educational research.
This paper presents some insights into this approach to development and describes some lessons learned.
