Culminating Activities

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Culminating Activities

• A.K.A.
• All you wanted to know about your grand finale .
  . .

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Culminating Activities

• Capstone
• 1 course-credit
• Comprehensive Examination
• 1 course-credit
• Project
• 2 course-credits
• Thesis
• 4 course-credits

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Capstone what is it?

• Education 6006
• Supervision model offered in a course format
• Allows for integration of knowledge and skills
  acquired in program
• Comprised of 3 parts
• The approved question
• The detailed written response
• The oral presentation

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Capstone

• Benefits
• Structured timelines
• Completed within 1 semester
• Instructor feedback
• Collegial support
• Allows for maximum number of courses
• Assigned supervisor

• Challenges
• Compacted time frame (1 semester)
• Offered Fall and Spring only
• Spring convocation only

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Comprehensive Examination what is it?

• Education 6005
• Independent work with supervisor and committee
  members
• Synthesis of learning throughout program
• Comprised of 3 questions designed by
• student, supervisor and committee

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Comprehensive Examination

• Benefits
• Structured timelines
• Input into questions
• Responses to questions completed within 8 weeks
• Allows for maximum number of courses

• Challenges
• Compacted time frame (8 weeks)
• Finding supervisor and committee members
• Feedback only at end of process

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Project what is it?

• Education 6000-6001
• Independent research
• Direction from supervisor and committee
• Generally intended as an application of an
  existing theory, methodology or procedure
• Sometimes used as a demonstration or
  implementation of something innovative
• Could be practice oriented, but with . . .
• Solid grounding in the literature

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Project

• Benefits
• Independent work
• Extended time period (to adapt to life
  circumstances)
• Opportunity for in-depth delving
• Can be practice oriented
• Housed in UofL Library (published author!)

• Challenges
• Minimal structure
• Extended time period (could extend into
  continuation fees)
• Finding supervisor and committee members
• May be a lonely endeavor
• May tire of your topic

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Thesis what is it?

• Education 6011-6014
• Independent
• Research oriented
• Begins with the posing of a question that will
  contribute to the building or validating of
  theory
• Includes
• in-depth review of literature
• application of a disciplined and clearly
  described methodology for dealing with the
  research question
• thorough description of the results
• synthesis of research findings
• implications of the research for theory and
  practice.
• Colloquium
• Oral defense

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Thesis

• Benefits
• Independent work
• Extended time period (could fit individual
  circumstances)
• Opportunity for really in-depth delving
• Minimum number of courses
• Huge accomplishment
• Ph.D. practice
• Housed in UofL Library (Published author!)

• Challenges
• Minimal structure and guidance
• Extended time period (realistically may take up
  to a year or more) - continuation fees may apply
• Finding supervisor, committee members, external
  examiner
• May be a lonely endeavor
• Life gets in the way
• Loss of passion for the topic

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The most successful thesis students

• Prefer to work alone
• Are deeply passionate about a particular topic
• Are excellent, confident writers
• Are well organized
• Pay attention to detail
• Live close to Lethbridge
• Are considering entering a Ph.D. program
• Have no life other than M.Ed program

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The most successful project students

• Prefer to work alone some of the time
• Have a passionate interest in combining theory
  and practice in some way
• Are good writers
• Have a moderate preference for class interaction
  and participation
• Live close to Lethbridge
• Have a bit of a life outside the program

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The most successful capstone students

• Work well in a supportive collegial environment
• Prefer course work to independent work
• Are good writers
• Are prepared to attend several seminars
• on-campus during the capstone process
• Are good public speakers
• Want to get on with their lives

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How do I find a supervisor?

• Begin the process early
• Consider all professors with whom you are in
  contact as potential supervisors
• Begin an academic relationship with those with
  whom you connect
• Talk to them, take them for coffee, see how you
  relate (You have to be able to get along)
• Consult the Faculty Interests and Expertise page
  on our website
• Make yourself known early

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When do I find a Supervisor?

• Prior to completion of 6 courses, including the 4
  core courses for a thesis
• Prior to completion of a maximum of 8 courses,
  including the 4 core courses for a project

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Final Words of Wisdom

• We are here to support you
• There are no stupid questions
• Hang out in the Grad Grotto if you can
• Use your colleagues for support
• Work together
• Stick with your passions
• You can do it

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Take your ideas and fly with them!