M.S. in Career, Technical and Leadership Education

Transcription

1 M.S. in Career, Technical and Leadership Education Guidelines for Creative Component Projects INTRODUCTION The creative component project option is designed for students wishing to complete a practitioner-based scholarly project. While research is included in this project, the focus is on demonstrating your ability to apply the knowledge and skills you have learned within the context of a school, community, organization or, policy process. With most traditional projects, you will complete a written product (generally between pages not to include material that should be in the appendices) that is representative of a technical report. Furthermore, you will present your project with appropriate written and visual supporting materials to a departmental seminar. There are many choices in the focus or topic for your non-thesis creative project. Some examples of topics for a creative non-thesis project are: Design and conduct a program evaluation for an organization, Ag Ed/FCS Ed schoolbased program, or community group Develop curriculum (or curricular components) for a unit, course, set of courses, or an Extension program Conduct a needs assessment for an Ag Ed/FCS Ed school-based program, a community or an organization Develop an assets inventory for a community or an organization Evaluate the impact of a public or organizational policy Evaluate the use of different sources of communication in agriculture or natural resources Design a marketing campaign both process and supporting materials for a community or organization Develop an educational or informational program for Extension or other organization Conduct a review of the literature in order to develop a policy or program oriented "white paper" WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR COMPLETING A CREATIVE COMPONENT PROJECT? 1. Identify a faculty member who will serve as the chair of your Master's committee 2. With the chair of your Master's committee, identify two other faculty to serve on your committee. At least one of these must be a faculty member in your program and at least one must be a full member of the Graduate Faculty. This information must also be filed with CTLE Director of Graduate Studies. 3. Hold a committee meeting to seek advice and counsel on the focus of your project and to clarify how you will do your project, the focus of your work, and how you will do it. Use this meeting to clarify the scope, focus and desired outcome from your creative project. 4. Following this meeting, develop a 5-10 page formal proposal (see below for a description 1

2 of what a proposal should contain) that briefly but clearly describes your creative project. This proposal should have a cover page with a tentative title, your name, the date, and places for each member of your committee to sign their approval of the proposal. A copy of this signed proposal should be placed in your file with the CTLE Director of Graduate Studies. 5. The formal proposal will be reviewed during a second committee meeting unless members approve of the proposal and sign a form indicating approval of waiver of the meeting. 6. Do the project -- you should stay in contact with your committee chair to maintain progress and focus in your work. You may consult your committee members as needed. 7. Complete and submit to the graduate school the online form (via myuk) which declares your intention to graduate at the beginning of your intended graduation semester: 8. Submit the following form to the Graduate School after your committee has selected a defense day and time. This form must be completed, printed and have the signature of the Director of Graduate Studies in the Career, Technical and Leadership Education (CTLE) program. Request for final Master's Degree and Specialist in Education Examination 9. Submit the final draft of your project to your committee members at least two full weeks before your presentation. 10. Schedule your seminar and oral exam on your work project by contacting your committee members and finding a 2 hour time period that is available for everyone. The chair of your committee will schedule a room for the seminar and exam. Send a notice to the department about the title of your creative project and the date/time/location of your seminar. 11. Prepare a seminar presentation on your creative project 12. Give the seminar and complete the oral exam for your Master's degree. WHAT SHOULD BE IN A PROPOSAL FOR A CREATIVE COMPONENT PROJECT? The follow serves as sections for the paper proposal: Introduction and Theoretical Framework (WHY?) This section should build the case for the project. While this will be based primarily on a review of the literature, you may also include anecdotal evidence or personal views to support your explanation. Citations for your references should be included in the body of the text to build the case and support the need for the study. Also, gathering of information via survey for information (i.e. demographics, attitudes, etc.) on your population or group for whom you will be completing the project would be appropriate and only help build your case. The following questions should be addressed: Why is this important? Why is this important to me and my current or future position? 2

3 What theory or concepts will be the framework for my project? What coursework will I utilize in completing this project? Purpose and Objectives (WHAT?) The purpose statement should clarify the overall intent of the project. The objectives should outline the paper and/or products that are to come from this project and such a list can be in bulleted format. A good list of objectives answers the question: what will you physically hand over to the committee for review? Methods (HOW, WHERE AND WHO?) This is how you intend to complete the project. The following questions should be addressed: How will I complete this project? What literature (knowledge resources) are to be used in completing the paper? Who will assist in the process (and how they will assist)? What non-knowledge resources will be used (computers, equipment, etc.)? Where will this project be completed? What are the plans for evaluating my project? o This is one of the key components that differentiates between a mere project that can be assigned in any class and this being a scholarly masters degree capstone project. A project done in a vacuum lacks insight. o Some ideas for completing this component include (if appropriate): conducting the actually project or program and do an evaluation with the participants establish a panel of experts or conduct a peer review of the materials and synthesize the feedback o A clear link should be drawn from the literature review to the evaluation (serves as a rationale for the evaluation) Timeline (WHEN?) Create a timeline starting at the proposal date to the presentation defense. Identify major benchmarks in the process and approximate their completion dates. HOW SHOULD THE FINAL PRODUCT BE ORGANIZED? (For Traditional Projects) 1. The components or sections of the report for a creative non-thesis project should include: 2. Title page with contact information and date 3. Executive Summary or Project Abstract - an overview of your results and how it relates to your issue of concern 4. Acknowledgements (if you decide to do this) 5. Table of Contents 6. A revised version of the proposal that reflects what actually occurred versus what was proposed 7. Presentation of the project itself 3

4 8. Evaluation results a. A summary and interpretation of the findings/data from the evaluation process b. Conclusions, implications and recommendations based upon the findings and relates back to the literature 9. Summary and reflection a. Summarize your creative project i. what is it ii. why did you do it iii. what was the outcome b. Offer some comments on what else needs to be done or would you like to do related to this topic or issue c. Reflect on what you have learned doing this creative component project and how you will integrate what you have learned into your future work. Include a discussion on how this project has contributed to your intellectual and professional development. 10. References 11. Appendices (if needed) SUMMARY TIMELINE FOR THE PROJECT Initial Proposal Meeting o Student meets with the committee o Discussion of topics, ideas and project specifics occurs o Outline of the formal proposal is developed Formal Proposal Meeting (if needed) o Student presents project proposal o Committee approve, disapprove, or approve the proposal pending edits or changes o Committee members and student sign the cover page for the proposal o Submit signed cover page to the Director of Graduate Studies for placement in student file o Committee members sign the waiver of a formal proposal meeting (if this is appropriate for the situation) and this is submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies for placement in student file Between Proposal and Defense o Student works closely with the chair in completing the project o Committee members are utilized on an as-need basis for consultation o Chair makes arrangements for the defense with the committee Two Weeks Prior to Defense o Student provides committee the final paper o Committee identifies any red flags that should be addressed prior to the meeting If major concerns are identified (that cannot be rectified within the two weeks), the defense can be cancelled and rescheduled for a later date 4

5 Defense o Student presents project (as approved by the chair) in an open format; format may vary depending on the project o Audience is excused from the room immediately following presentation; committee retains the opportunity to ask additional questions in a closed-door format o Committee meets after closed-door session to approve, disapprove, or approve the project pending changes o Student is made aware of decision Final Submission of Materials o Submit an electronic version of your creative component project to the Director of Graduate Studies for the Program s Library September 27,