EDUC 7061ANA - Education Major Project Part 1

Ngee Ann Academy - Quadmester 1 - 2015

The project reports on a research project of secondary data, or a small primary data study, conducted with the guidance of an academic supervisor in conjunction with a literature review. You will critically analyse and evaluate existing knowledge about a problem in order to investigate the problem. Your conclusions may include implications for better educational practice and further research studies. Progress will be monitored through regular discussions between the supervisor and the student.

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Course Details

Course Code	EDUC 7061ANA
Course	Education Major Project Part 1
Coordinating Unit	School of Education
Term	Quadmester 1
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	Ngee Ann Academy
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Restrictions	Students must complete EDUC 7061BNA

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Julia Miller

Dr Julia Miller, julia.miller@adelaide.edu.au

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

		Time	Topic/Content
Intensive block 1	Day 1	7-10 pm	Introduction and overview Issue identification Discussion of assignment Submission details Time management Sample dissertations
	Day 2	1.00-2.00 pm	Clarification of issues
		2.00-3.00 pm	Dissertation structure
		3.00-5.00 pm	How to write an ethics application
		5.00-5.30 pm	Break
		5.30-6.00 pm	Using Endnote
		6.00-7.00 pm	Oral presentation skills
		7.00-8.00 pm	Question and Answer session
	Day 3	9.00 am-12.00 pm	Individual consultations
		12.00-1.00 pm	Lunch break
		1.00-3.00 pm	Oral presentations (3 minutes/1 slide per person)
		3.00-4.00 pm	Question and Answer session

Intensive block 2	Day 1	7.00-10.00 pm	Structuring and writing a dissertation
	Day 2	1.00-4.30 pm	Group/Individual consultations
		4.30-5.15 pm	Break
		5.15-8.00 pm	Group/Individual consultations
	Day 3	9.00 am-12.00 pm	Project presentations
		12.00-1.00 pm	Lunch break
		1.00-3.00 pm	Project presentations
		3.00-4.00 pm	Question and Answer session

Course Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes for this course are similar to those in Educational Inquiry (EDUC 7001), but revolve around a final dissertation rather than a research proposal.

1	Develop and apply students’ understanding of the nature and process of research
2	Develop students’ ability to select a research project topic, plan a research project, develop researchable questions and communicate these issues clearly in oral and written form
3	Develop students’ understanding of the relationship of theory, knowledge and practice as it is applied to contemporary research in education and their ability to explain these relationships in oral and written form
4	Further develop students’ ability to critically review and evaluate educational literature
5	Develop students’ ability to select and apply a research design, as well as data collection and evaluation instruments (both qualitative and quantitative), in harmony with a chosen paradigm
6	Further develop students’ ability to evaluate research according to standards of validity, reliability and ethics
7	Develop students’ ability to write and present a well-designed research project

最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	2, 4, 6
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	5, 7
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	7
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	5, 6, 7
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1, 3, 6
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	6
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	6

Learning & Teaching Modes

No information currently available.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The hours below reflect the overall workload for terms 1 and 2, i.e. courses EDUC 7061ANA and EDUC 7061BNA,

WORKLOAD	TOTAL HOURS
2 x 3 Day intensive face-to-face courses	34 hours
Online reflections and interactions with lecturers and classmates	28 hours
Intensive reading and preparation	125 hours
10,000 word dissertation	125 hours
	Total: 312 hours

Learning Activities Summary

		Time	Topic/Content
Intensive block 1	Day 1	7-10 pm	Introduction and overview Issue identification Discussion of assignment Submission details Time management Sample dissertations
	Day 2	1.00-2.00 pm	Clarification of issues
		2.00-3.00 pm	Dissertation structure
		3.00-5.00 pm	How to write an ethics application
		5.00-5.30 pm	Break
		5.30-6.00 pm	Using Endnote
		6.00-7.00 pm	Oral presentation skills
		7.00-8.00 pm	Question and Answer session
	Day 3	9.00 am-12.00 pm	Individual consultations
		12.00-1.00 pm	Lunch break
		1.00-3.00 pm	Oral presentations (3 minutes/1 slide per person)
		3.00-4.00 pm	Question and Answer session

Intensive block 2	Day 1	7.00-10.00 pm	Structuring and writing a dissertation
	Day 2	1.00-4.30 pm	Group/Individual consultations
		4.30-5.15 pm	Break
		5.15-8.00 pm	Group/Individual consultations
	Day 3	9.00 am-12.00 pm	Project presentations
		12.00-1.00 pm	Lunch break
		1.00-3.00 pm	Project presentations
		3.00-4.00 pm	Question and Answer session

Specific Course Requirements

Attendance at workshops and consultations is compulsory.

Small Group Discovery Experience

This is not explicitly part of this course; however, all activities involve research and work in small groups guided by a senior academic.

The 最新糖心Vlog's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

This course follows criterion-based assessment. This means that student grades are determined by the standard of work in terms of meeting a number of criteria that represent the requirements for a particular course. In other words, work is judged according to a pre-determined standard of task completion rather than by comparing it to the work of other students undertaking the same course.

Assessment for this course consists of a scholarly dissertation (mini thesis) of 10 000 words, using referencing appropriate to the discipline.

Your thesis should be in calibri 12 point font, with double spacing and 2 cm margins on all sides. The reference list should be single spaced with a blank line between each reference. APA is the preferred referencing system, but if you are used to using a different one for your discipline then that is ok.

Don't forget to put page numbers in the footer for each page.

Assessment Related Requirements

Students who are unable to provide justification for non-attendance will fail the course.

It is very important to submit your assignment on time so that it can be marked and the mark submitted to the 最新糖心Vlog for processing by the 最新糖心Vlog deadline. A penalty of 10% will apply to each 24 hours of late submission.

If you have a problem submitting your assignment on time, please talk to the lecturer to see if a short extension to the due date is possible.

Assessment Detail

1. Oral presentation (1 Powerpoint slide in a 3 minute oral presentation) completed on Day 3 of first intensive course. Formative - no marks awarded.

The oral presentation will be based around an issue arising from the student's proposed research project. e.g. why is this an important problem to research?

2. 10 000 word dissertation (mini thesis). Summative - 100% of marks awarded.

See Assessment Rubric below for details.

	Level 1 Research is conducted at the level of a closedenquiry and requires a high degree of structure/ guidance	Level 2 Research is conducted at the level of a closed enquiry and requires some structure/ guidance	Level 3 Research is conducted independently at the level of a closed enquiry	Level 4 Research is conducted at the level of an open enquiry within structured guidelines	Level 5 Research is conducted at the level of an open enquiry within self-determined guidelines in line with the discipline
	Fail (0-49%)	Pass (50-64%)	Credit (65-74%)	Distinction (75-84%)	High Distinction (85-100%)	Total
1) Provide evidence of inquiry into background to research topic	Background provided but is limited. Background is not well linked to topic. Research questions and/or aims and/or objectives given but not related to research focus. (possible marks 1-6)	Background provides some context for the project. Research questions and/or aims and/or objectives relate to research focus. (possible marks 7-9)	Background contextualises research focus. Research questions and/or aims and/or objectives indicate knowledge of project. (possible marks 10-11)	Background justifies the project in terms of a “gap” or extension of existing knowledge. Moves from a broader to a more specific context. Presents realistic and manageable research outcomes. (possible marks 12-13)	Background justifies the project in terms of a “gap” or extension of existing knowledge. Narrows the research focus effectively . Presents clear research outcomes. (possible marks 14-15)	/15
2) Evaluate and synthesise literature in order to justify the project	Literature related to the project is summarised but not synthesised. Literature is not linked to the project. Review includes some relevant readings. (possible marks 1-12)	Literature related to the project is summarised and synthesised. Literature is linked to the project. Review includes relevant readings. (possible marks 13-15)	iterature related to the project is summarised and synthesised and clearly linked to the project. Gaps in the literature are described. Review includes the most relevant readings related to project. (possible marks 16-18)	Review logically argues the project as a link in current literature in the field and/or as arising out of gaps in literature. Review critically synthesises and evaluates the most relevant readings. (possible marks 19-21)	Review logically argues the project as an expansion of current literature in the field and/or as arising out of gaps in literature. Review critically synthesises and evaluates the most relevant readings. (possible marks 22-25)	/25
3) Find/ Generate an appropriate theoretical framework and/ or methodology	Methodology and/or theoretical framework is given. Methodology/ theoretical framework does not relate well to the proposed study. Methodology/ theoretical framework is not presented in detail. (possible marks 1-6)	Methodology and/or theoretical framework relates to the research questions and/or objectives of the proposed study. (possible marks 7-9)	Methodology and/or theoretical framework clearly relates in some detail to the research questions and/or objectives of the proposed study. (possible marks 10-11)	Methodology and/or theoretical framework contains sufficient detail to enable evaluation of project viability. Methodology will answer the questions/ address the objectives of the project. (possible marks 12-13)	Methodology and/or theoretical framework contains sufficient detail to enable evaluation of project viability. Methodology will fully answer the questions/ address the objectives. (possible marks 14-15)	/15
4) Analyse and synthesise data	Data are incomplete or not correctly interpreted. Analysis is lacking, hard to understand or does not reflect the data. (possible marks 1-12)	Adequate data are included but are not wholly accurate in presentation and interpretation. Connections between data and literature are not explored in detail. (possible marks 13-15)	Data are adequate and accurate. Analysis is detailed but could be explored further. (possible marks 16-18)	Substantial data are presented accurately. Analysis is detailed and has some original ideas, insights and observations. (possible marks 19-21)	Comprehensive data presented. Analysis is thorough, sophisticated and convincing. (possible marks 22-25)	/25
5) Communicate knowledge effectively and ethically, with appropriate: -Headings and paragraph cohesion -Attribution and citation -Grammar, spelling and punctuation Organise information and develop ideas	General headings provided. Linking devices used appear inconsistent, mechanistic and inappropriate. Document appears incoherent at times. (possible marks 1-2)	Specific headings provided reflective of research proposal proforma. Linking devices used occasionally appear inconsistent. Document appears incoherent at times. (possible marks 3-4)	Specific headings provided reflective of research proposal proforma. Linking devices used in a manner promoting overall document cohesion. Arguments followed without too much strain. (possible marks 5-6)	Specific and appropriate headings and subheadings provided. Appropriate linking devices used promoting document and paragraph cohesion. Ideas are clearly and logically developed. (possible marks 7-8)	Specific and appropriate headings and subheadings exemplify research story. Research document fully coherent. Ideas are clearly and logically developed. (possible marks 8-10)	/10
	Reference list included In-text references given for most information. Some paraphrasing closely resembling original document. In-text referencing appears mechanistic and poorly integrated into text. (possible marks 1)	Reference list mostly consistent. In-text references accurate and given for most information. Sometimes difficult to distinguish the student’s voice from source authors. (possible marks 2)	Reference list is consistent. In-text references are consistent and accurate and given for all required information. Student’s voice distinguished from source authors. (possible marks 3)	Reference list follows an appropriate academic convention. In-text references are consistent and accurate. Student’s voice and attitude clearly distinguished from source authors. (possible marks 4)	Reference list follows a discipline-appropriate convention. In-text references consistent and accurate with a variety of expression. Student’s voice persuasive. (possible marks 5)	/5
	Overall meaning not always clear. Basic argument not always discernible. Language errors frequent and often impede understanding and reader’s engagement with the text. (possible marks 1)	Errors sometimes impede understanding. Errors sometimes affect reader’s willingness to engage arguments. (possible marks 2)	Errors do not impede understanding in most of the document. Errors do not affect reader’s willingness to engage with arguments presented. (possible marks 3)	Errors do not impede understanding at all. Errors do not affect reader’s willingness to engage with arguments presented. (possible marks 4)	Some minor systematic language errors occur, but these could easily be corrected with more careful editing. (possible marks 5)	/5
Total						/100

Adapted from: Willison, J. (2008). The Researcher Skill Development Framework. Adelaide, Retrieved 8 August 2009 from http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/rsd/rsd7/.

Submission

Submission of the 10 000 word dissertation will be electronically via MyUni.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

NOG (No Grade Associated)
Grade	Description
CN	Continuing

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction

Final results for this course will be made available through .

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