Final Paper For the Final Paper, you will select one topic from the list below.  You will want to choose a topic that is important or interesting to you. Instructions for completing the Final Paper: · Please select from one of the following topics, which are addressed in the course textbook, Introduction to Computer Literacy: · Collaborative Technologies (covered in Chapter 1) · Ethical Concerns in Computing (covered in Chapter 1) · The Digital Divide (covered in Chapter 1) · Open Source Software (covered in Chapter 3) · The Impact of Mobile Computing (covered in Chapter 4) · Social Networks  (covered in Chapter 7) · Protecting Copyrights and Intellectual Property (covered in Chapter 8) · The Future of Cloud Computing (covered in Chapter 9) · Return to the textbookand review the pages in the chapter that pertain to your selected topic. · Next, log in to the Ashford University Library and conduct a search on that topic. · The INF103. tutorial will walk you through the basic steps of doing a search for scholarly articles within the Ashford University Library.  A transcript of this video can be accessed through your online course. · Select two scholarly articles to use in your paper. For each article, write down the author information, date of publication, title of the article, the publication information (journal title), and the database from which you retrieved the article. You will need this information when you create your references for the sources. · Begin the writing process. You are going to compare the points of view offered by these authors (the author of your textbook and the authors of the two articles you have selected) on your selected topic, and then offer your own point of view based upon your analysis of the readings. · The Ashford Writing Center (AWC) offers assistance with the writing process. The AWC contains many tutorials and offers online guides for how to develop an academic paper. Click on the Writing Center link under “Learning Resources” in the left navigation of this course to visit the AWC. Criteria for Grading You will be graded on how well your paper meets the following criteria: Content · How clearly you demonstrate your knowledge of your chosen topic. · Frequent and appropriate use of examples from the textbook and selected articles to support your points. · Appropriate inclusion of relevant quotes from the discussion forum activities. · At least one paragraph for each of your three sources (the textbook and two scholarly articles) that includes an accurate summary of the points made by the author(s). · At least one paragraph for each of your three sources showing your thoughtful analysis of the point of view introduced by the authors. · At least two paragraphs illustrating how the authors of those three sources agree or disagree with one another about the topic. · At least two paragraphs that reflect your own point of view and provide a conclusion about your chosen topic. Form The way your paper looks is also i ...

1. Final Paper
For the Final Paper, you will select one topic from the list
below. You will want to choose a topic that is important or
interesting to you.
Instructions for completing the Final Paper:
· Please select from one of the following topics, which are
addressed in the course textbook, Introduction to Computer
Literacy:
· Collaborative Technologies (covered in Chapter 1)
· Ethical Concerns in Computing (covered in Chapter 1)
· The Digital Divide (covered in Chapter 1)
· Open Source Software (covered in Chapter 3)
· The Impact of Mobile Computing (covered in Chapter 4)
· Social Networks (covered in Chapter 7)
· Protecting Copyrights and Intellectual Property (covered in
Chapter 8)
· The Future of Cloud Computing (covered in Chapter 9)
· Return to the textbookand review the pages in the chapter that
pertain to your selected topic.
· Next, log in to the Ashford University Library and conduct a
search on that topic.
· The INF103. tutorial will walk you through the basic steps of
doing a search for scholarly articles within the Ashford
University Library. A transcript of this video can be accessed
through your online course.
· Select two scholarly articles to use in your paper. For each
article, write down the author information, date of publication,
title of the article, the publication information (journal title),
and the database from which you retrieved the article. You will
need this information when you create your references for the
sources.
· Begin the writing process. You are going to compare the

2. points of view offered by these authors (the author of your
textbook and the authors of the two articles you have selected)
on your selected topic, and then offer your own point of view
based upon your analysis of the readings.
· The Ashford Writing Center (AWC) offers assistance with the
writing process. The AWC contains many tutorials and offers
online guides for how to develop an academic paper. Click on
the Writing Center link under “Learning Resources” in the left
navigation of this course to visit the AWC.
Criteria for Grading
You will be graded on how well your paper meets the following
criteria:
Content
· How clearly you demonstrate your knowledge of your chosen
topic.
· Frequent and appropriate use of examples from the textbook
and selected articles to support your points.
· Appropriate inclusion of relevant quotes from the discussion
forum activities.
· At least one paragraph for each of your three sources (the
textbook and two scholarly articles) that includes an accurate
summary of the points made by the author(s).
· At least one paragraph for each of your three sources showing
your thoughtful analysis of the point of view introduced by the
authors.
· At least two paragraphs illustrating how the authors of those
three sources agree or disagree with one another about the topic.
· At least two paragraphs that reflect your own point of view
and provide a conclusion about your chosen topic.
Form
The way your paper looks is also important to this assignment.
· Complete your assignment using Microsoft Word.
· Include a proper title page.
· Use correct APA formatting for an academic paper (see the
Ashford Writing Center tutorial).
· Use proper citation style for all quotes.

3. · Your paper must be between five to seven pages long
(excluding title and references pages).
· Make sure to review your paper for grammar and use the Spell
Check function in Microsoft Word before submitting your work.
INMGT 400/600 Individual Project
Leadership: A Transferrable Skill – Part B
Current Leadership Strengths and Development Needs (16% of
project grade)
Two of the questions employers always ask you (in one way or
another) are about your strengths and weaknesses. The easiest
way to answer this question with sincerity is to have first (long
before the questions are asked) reflected upon what your real
strengths and real development t needs (weaknesses) are..
Overview of Individual Project Part B – Leadership Strengths
and Development Needs
The purpose of Part B is to assist you in recognizing your
current leadership strengths and development needs. To this
end, Part B consists of two self-assessment inventories and the
submission of a short paper summarizing your findings.
Explanation of Requirements and Evaluation Criteria for Part B
1. Download and save a copy of the Self-Management
Skills/Traits Inventory. Then complete the inventory, identify
your 5 strongest skills/traits, the 3 skills/traits you need to
develop, and submit completed inventory to the Part B drop
box.
2. Download and save a copy of the Key Leadership
Competencies Inventory. Then complete the inventory, identify
your 5 strongest skills/traits, the 3 skills/traits you need to

4. develop, and submit completed inventory to the Part B drop
box.
3. Write and submit a 1-2 page, double-line spaced reflective
summary in 12 pt. Times New Roman font, with the bolded title
of Reflective Summary of MyLeadership Strengths and
Development Needs, followed by you name on the next line.
Your summary should provide an overall picture/explanation of
your strongest competencies/skills/traits (4 or 5 not 10), the
areas/competencies you feel require further development (2 or 3
not 6), and your plan (steps and actions) for developing your
identified/stated leadership ‘weaknesses’.
4. Submit artifact and summary to appropriate drop box before
the due date and time listed on the class schedule.
The following criteria will be used for evaluation:
Criteria
Traits Inventory
(2 points)
Copy of properly completed traits assessment tool summited
Met expectations
(1 points)
Copy of incomplete assessment tool summited
Fell short of expectations
(0 points)
No copy of assessment tool submitted
Unsatisfactory
Competency Inventory
(2 points)
Copy of properly completed competency assessment tool
summited
Met expectations

5. (1 points)
Copy of incomplete assessment tool summited
Fell short of expectations
(0 points)
No copy of assessment tool submitted
Unsatisfactory
Analysis Summary
(6 or 5 points)
Clearly summarized required number of strengths and
weaknesses and explained a development plan
Met expectations
(4, 3 or 2 points)
Summarized only some strengths and weaknesses and/or did not
explain a development plan
Fell short of expectations
(1 or 0 points)
Wrote something but does not relate to the assignment
requirements
Unsatisfactory
Professionalism
(2 points)
Followed directions, no formatting errors, no writing errors
Met expectations
(1 point)
Followed directions and less than 3 formatting and/or writing
errors
Fell short of expectations
(0 points)
Did not follow directions and/or more than 2 writing errors
Unsatisfactory
Timeliness
(-2 pts penalty)
Submitted after due date

6. Individual Project Part B - Key Leadership Competencies Self-
Assement
Directions:
1. BEFORE YOU START consider where you want to be
professionally 5 years from when you graduate, and the specific
nature and requirements of the type of job or area of
specialization you envision yourself having – for example
Project Manager of a major road reconstruction project. (If you
are not sure what the nature or requirements of you envisioned
job might be do an internet search of job descriptions)
2. NEXT STEP,now based on your past experiences and your
present level of experience, knowledge, and/or skill, read each
of the competency sets on the next 3 pages, and using the
following scale, rate your current level of mastery for each
competency:
(N) None – I have very little or noexperience or skills in this
competency area
(B) Basic – I have a general understanding and could work in
simple situations with support and coaching from others
(C) Competent – I have a good understanding and can work in
situations of moderate difficulty without support or coaching
from others
(P) Mastery – I have a well-developed understanding and could
work in difficult situations with minimal support and coaching
from others
3. FINAL STEP,firstreview the list and considering only the
competencies you checked/circled as N or B, identify and list
the three competencies you believe will be most important for
you to have in the next 5 years. Then review the list a second
time considering only the competencies you have
checked/circled as C or P and identify and list the three

7. competencies you believe to be your greatest assets/strengths.
Three most important competencies I will need to develop over
next 5 years
1.
2.
3.
My five strongest competencies
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Set 1: Competencies Required for Effectively Leading Oneself
1.1
Self-Management
The ability to effectively organize, direct, and manage one’s
own activities, time, priorities, and resources towards the
achievement of one’s objectives and goals. Includes (requires)
the skills of goal-setting, planning, scheduling, time
management, self-evaluation, and self-development.
N
B
C
P

8. 1.2
Initiative and Perseverance
The willingness and ability to begin, and the determination to
follow through energetically with a plan or task. Without being
asked or directed, plans ahead for upcoming problems or
opportunities; takes appropriate action, typically doing more
than is required or expected; and stays on task, without being
easy discourage, until objectives and goals are achieved.
N
B
C
P
1.3
Results Driven
The ability to set specific, measurable improvement goals and
to make timely and effective decisions, that through strategic
planning will produce successful results. Demonstrates concern
for meeting objectives in a timely manner within the standards
of cost and quality.
N
B

9. C
P
1.4
Critical Thinking
The ability to disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-
minded, and informed by evidence to understand the nature an
significance of problems and to evaluate arguments (reasons and
their companion conclusions)
N
B
C
P

10. 1.5
Decision-making/Judgment
Perceives the impact, implications, and potential consequences
of decisions and as a result exercises good judgment by making
timely, rational, and well-informed decisions that take into
account the facts, goals, constraints, and risks.
N
B
C
P
1.6
Flexibility/Adaptability
Is open to change and new information; can adjust and adapt
work behaviors and methods in response to new information,
changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.
N
B
C
P

11. 1.7
Integrity/Honesty
Instills mutual trust and confidence; creates a culture that
fosters high standards of ethics; behaves in a fair and ethical
manner toward others
N
B
C
P
1.8
Continual Learning
Recognizes one’s own strengths and weaknesses and seeks
feedback from others for improvement; engages in self-
development and takes advantage of opportunities to master new
knowledge and skills.
N
B

12. C
P
Set 2: Competencies Required for Effectively Leading Groups
2.1
Teamwork/Teambuilding
The ability to foster commitment and trust of a group, and
develop within them a sense of pride and cohesiveness, while
inspiring, encouraging, and guiding them towards goal
accomplishments.
N
B
C
P

13. 2.2
Written Communication
Has the ability to express facts and ideas in writing in a clear,
convincing, and organized manner that is appropriate to the
audience and occasion.
N
B
C
P
2.3
Oral Communication
Makes clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or
groups tailored to the audience and the situation.
N
B
C
P

14. 2.4
Active Listening
Is attentive and listens carefully to others, paying full attention
to the speaker taking time to digest what he or she hears before
responding
N
B
C
P
2.5
Interpersonal Skills
Considers and responds appropriately to the needs, feelings, and
capabilities of different people in different situations; is tactful,
compassionate and sensitive, and treats others with respect
regardless of their level, personality, culture or background.
N

15. B
C
P
2.6
Leveraging Diversity
Respects, understands, values and seeks out individual
differences to achieve the vision and mission of the group
and/or organization; creates an inclusive work environment
N
B
C
P

16. 2.7
Conflict Management
The ability to identify, and take appropriate steps to prevent,
potential situations that could result in unpleasant
confrontations.
N
B
C
P
2.8
Customer Focus
Anticipates and meets the need of all stakeholders, has the
ability to respond to changing demands, and is committed to
continuous improvement of services.
N
B
C
P

17. Set 3: Competencies Required for Effectively Leading
Organizations
3.1
Visioning/Goal Setting
Takes a long-term view and builds a shared vision with others;
is able to restate the organization’s mission and vision in terms
of measurable and achievable goals and objectives; and can
influence other to achieve those goals by clearly translating
them into action.
N
B
C
P
3.2
Decision-making/Problem-solving
The ability to identify and analyze problems and needs; make

18. logical decisions; and provide workable solutions.
N
B
C
P
3.3
Strategic Thinking
The ability to formulate effective strategies consistent with the
business and competitive strategies of the organization.
N
B
C
P

19. 3.4
Influencing/Negotiating
The ability to persuade others, build consensus through give and
take, facilitate “win-win” solutions, and gain cooperation from
others to obtain information and accomplish goals.
N
B
C
P
3.5
Business Acumen
The knowledge and understanding of both the internal financial,
accounting, marketing and operational functions and processes
of an organization, and the organization’s external markets,
industry, competition, and products/services.
N
B
C
P

20. Set 4: Competencies Required for Technical Credibility
4.1
Project Management
The ability to establish and execute a systematic course of
action for self or others to ensure accomplishment of a specific
objective through the setting of priorities, goals, and timetables.
N
B
C
P
4.2
Technical Expertise
Understands and appropriately applies knowledge, skills,
practices, and procedures related to a specialized field of
practice and/or expertise.

21. N
B
C
P
Individual Project Part B - Self-Management Skills/Traits
Inventory
Self-management skills/traits are the things that make you
unique. People often fail to identify these attributes as skills,
or to give themselves credit for using them, yet they impact
professional identity, the work that is done and the way that it
is done. Self-management skills/traits are often considered as
professional, leadership, and personal traits; and some are
highly desirable to business organizations. To help you sharpen
your focus on who you are, and to identify your current
strengths, work through this checklist of personal skills/trait
characteristics.
First, read each word and under the left-side Mastered column,
check (X) all of the skills/traits that other people (family,
friends, co-workers) would say describe you as you are now
(NOTE: if others have recognized the associated behaviors

22. being demonstrated by you then it suggests this is a strong
natural trait or one that you have already mastered).
Second, to prepare yourself for your next move forward on your
profession/future career path, look at the list a second time, and
specifically at the skills/traits you did not check, and under the
right side Need column check (X) the 5 or 6 self-management
skills/traits you feel you currently don’t have but see as being
an important benefit in the future.
MasteredNeedMasteredNeedMasteredNeedMasteredNeed
academic
diligent
industrious
precise
accurate
diplomatic
innovative

23. professional
adaptable
discreet
inventive
punctual
ambitious
dynamic
logical
quick
assertive

24. eager
loyal
rational
astute
easygoing
mature
realistic
capable
effective

25. objective
receptive
caring
efficient
open
reflective
competent
empathetic
open-minded
reliable

26. competitive
energetic
optimistic
reserved
confident
enthusiastic
orderly
resourceful
conscientious

27. fair-minded
organized
responsible
conservative
firm
outgoing
risk taker
considerate
flexible
patient

28. self-confident
cooperative
friendly
perceptive
self-controlled
creative
generous
persevering
sensible
deliberate

29. helpful
persistent
tactful
democratic
honest
pleasant
tenacious
determined
imaginative

30. polite
tolerant
independent
practical
versatile