Proposal/Research/White Paper

M E M O R A N D U M
To: Janie Santoy
From: Armando Barrera
Date: February 1, 2009
Subject: Proposal to use BubbleTimer for students


This document is a written proposal, to use and establish a technical tool named BubbleTimer. Students at T.S.T.C. and people everywhere have been subject to poor time management. It has effected the way that they study, work, and find time for themselves in a negative way. I am requesting permission to spend a total of 5 working days researching and writing a white paper on this topic. This proposal will include an in depth report on how well this tool functions and benefits those who use it. I will also provide a project plan, with a list of my qualifications and deadlines I that I will meet. The importance of this proposal is to assist students who need help dividing their time and to also urge the school to realize that this is a problem that needs to be remedied.

Problem Statement

Students at T.S.T.C. are being plagued by decision making instances and the ability to try and manage their time. I plan on investigating how this has become an issue for the majority of the students on campus. It is crucial that we try to aid them with ways to educate themselves and overcome obstacles that they face. Too many students fall into the category of not planning ahead and dividing their time among responsibilities. Students are now stressing out more than ever because they are not performing well in class. I have noticed that this problem has been stirring for some time; affecting many more students as it goes unnoticed.

Project Definition

My solution to this problem is to get students to try the technical tool called BubbleTimer. It is a clever way to allow students as individuals to create a time schedule that is easy to stick to. They can benefit extremely from using this program because it is so simple to use and because you can visually see where your time is being spent. I plan on producing a time table chart that shows how many hours each individual spends on homework each day. I will also include a small survey that will be broken down into different activities done by students in different increments of time. The good thing about BubbleTimer is that you can share time schedules and activities with anyone you choose. It is set up as a system that can bring students or anyone together will the common need to budget time. Another interest that appeals to college students is that BubbleTimer provides a free 15 day trial so you can get acquainted with using it. I intend to use graph's that are simulated to show the percentages of college life. The link to the login page for BubbleTimer is http://bubbletimer.com/login so you can see for yourself. Membership for a year is only twenty dollars; but when you think about how much it will assist you, twenty dollars isn't much. The only required information for students to sign up for BubbleTimer is an email address and a password that they will submit.

Qualifications

I have been enrolled at T.S.T.C. for some time now. I am going to graduate in the fall of 2009. I have had a 3.25 GPA for several semesters now and I am a very hard worker. I have taken Digital Imaging 1 & 2, Digital Video & Sound, Web Page Design, Interactive Multi Media, and Photography to name a few. I am familiar with all types of computers like HP,Mac's Dells, and different softwares. At the moment I have been in the stages of freelancing and building my portfolio.

I have seen so many students dropping classes or flunking out because they didn't take the time to make sure they could complete assignments. I have used several programs from Blackboard and Web CT to what we use now with Twitter. I have also been working part time while going to school full time. I have experienced stress that was magnified because of poor time management. It is very difficult to have a moment to breath when you work and go to school. So I know how other students feel when they get overwhelmed with too many jobs to do. That's why this tool should be implemented and encouraged by the staff for students to use. I have taken the 15 day trial with BubbleTimer to see how effective it can be. So far I have realized that I make to many last minute decisions on how to plan my week. This usually leads to a conflict over work, school, and free time. This will benefit me as well.

Project Plan

These next couple of days I will enter my own schedule in BubbleTimer and see how well I follow it. I will also assemble a few volunteers to use the free trial and document their statistics. I also want to get statements/personal quotes that I can use to determine whether or not The students like using the technical tool.

Major Tasks and Deadlines

My Own BubbleTimer Schedule ------ Due February 1,2009 ------ estimated 1 to 2 hours
Volunteer BubbleTimer Schedule ------ Due February 2, 2009 ----- estimated 1 day
Time Table Chart ------ Due February 3, 2009 ------ estimated 2 hours
Small Survey ------ Due February 3, 2009 ------ estimated 2 hours
White Paper Final ------ Due February 4, 2009 ------ estimated 2 days

February 1st Deadline: I must have my own schedule completed/documented based on how well I followed my time table.
February 2nd Deadline: I must have each students information separated and documented so I can analyze and point out similarities in their work week as well as differences.
February 3rd Deadlines: My timetable chart and my survey must be complete. I must produce a computer generated graph for both so you can visually see how effective BubbleTimer is. I will a sample pie graph that BubbleTimer already uses in their system so you can see further into where time is spent. I will start the White Paper assignment and work up the skeleton.
February 4th Deadline: I will complete and review my findings on my white paper. I will analyze how well everything is put together and double check to see that I am not missing vital information.

Authorization/Conclusion

Don't you think that every student deserves to have a chance to make the right decision and put their best foot forward? With this new technical tool they will have that opportunity everyday and it will lead them in the way of success. College students have enough things to worry about, like: How am I going to pay my tuition? What classes should I take next semester? Should I change my major? Time management should not be at the top of the list. Especially when we can neutralize the situation by giving them a weapon they can use to help themselves. Education is the key and this tool will do just that.