Case Studies Spring-New
Case Studies Spring-New
Case Studies Spring-New
Spring, 2018
At VUB Campus Online Only
February March
Monday, 19 February: 10:00-12:30 Course platform: Canvas
Wednesday, 21 February: 10:00-12:30 May
Friday, 23 February: 10:00-12:30 Course platform: Canvas
April
Monday, 16 April: 10:00-12:30 Online Office Hours
Wednesday, 18 April: 10:00-12:30 (posted on Canvas)
Friday, 20 April: 10:00-12:30
Table of Contents
Points
Major Paper
(four options)
Discussion Protocols
Basically, this is about being nice and respectful. When you are in an online course, it's hard to
get to know everyone. And since we stress feedback on the contributions of others, it's also hard
to know if what you say - and how you say it - is acceptable or constructive.
Try to think like great writing teachers who facilitate the development of ideas, rather than judge
the writer. That's a big deal. It's okay to ask challenging questions. It's just that the asking
should be done in a way that builds a sense of community. You cannot assume that what
pleases, does not bother, or hurt you is the same for everyone.
Here are some tested phrases that help people see you (as the one who comments on the work of
others) as interested in what others have to say:
o I was really impressed/moved/challenged when you wrote _______ because ________.
o It surprises me when you say _______ because I had always thought ________. I want to
know more about___
o I am interested when you say ________ because it makes me think of _________.
o Although I agree with you that ________, have you considered __________.
o Some might say __________ in response to what you wrote. What are your thoughts?
o I want to know more about ______ because _______.
Design a strategic plan (and 1-3 day training) for an innovative curriculum
focused on the professional needs of a specific school (primary or
secondary/high school), about which you have personal knowledge
Option 2: Teacher In- A school or (examples: you may have graduated from that school or your children
community site currently attend that school).
Service Professional with which you are
Development familiar You have two choices here: (1) for the teachers alone to address priorities not
yet available (such as different ways to address the learning needs of
refugees or (2) a teacher's guide for a new subject (such as climate change)
for a particular grade-level.
• Pre-Service Option
• In-Service Option
YOUR NAME(s)
[Date]
TITLE OF PAPER (ALL CAPS). No need for subtitle
Style: This research paper is an academic treatment of your lens, as applied to the focus, and
reflective of your reading and engagement.
• 20 pages maximum
• Times New Roman 11.5 for normal text, line spacing: 1.15
• Cite sources using APA style in the document and in a separate bibliography (not
counted in your 20-page total)
• Annotated bibliography of at least 8 substantial research articles (also not counted in your
20-page total)
For Table of Contents: The Table of Contents is based upon MS Word’s Heading 2 style;
please use them because it makes navigation a lot easier for the reader.
• If you want to change the title in the Table of Contents (below), it won’t work.
• If you change the title of a heading in the document itself, it will work.
• After you make those changes:
o Right-click or Ctl click on Table of Contents
o Choose Update Field, then
o Update Entire Table to refresh the Table of Contents.
• Points will be taken off for sloppy attention to detail.
TITLE OF PAPER (ALL CAPS). No need for subtitle
Table of Contents
Abstract .................................................................................................................................................. 12
Purpose of the Study and Project Goal ............................................................................................. 13
Approach to Research.......................................................................................................................... 13
Theory of Change Process ................................................................................................................... 13
Curriculum Model ............................................................................................................................... 13
Summary of Survey ............................................................................................................................. 13
The Curriculum Plan and/or Teacher’s Guide ................................................................................ 14
Feedback from Beneficiaries ............................................................................................................... 14
Conclusions, Lessons Learned, and Recommendations ................................................................. 14
Bibliography.......................................................................................................................................... 14
Annotated Bibliography ...................................................................................................................... 14
Abstract
(250 words maximum)
An Abstract is the entire paper in a condensed form, written for those seeking to learn more. An abstract
summarizes, usually in one paragraph of 250 words or less, the major aspects of the entire paper in a
prescribed sequence that includes: 1) the overall purpose of the study and the research problem(s) you
investigated; 2) the basic design of the study; 3) major findings or trends found as a result of your
analysis; and, 4) a brief summary of your interpretations and conclusions.
The abstract allows you to elaborate upon each major aspect of the paper and helps readers decide
whether they want to read the rest of the paper. Therefore, enough key information [e.g., summary
results, observations, trends, etc.] must be included to make the abstract useful to someone who may
want to examine your work.
How do you know when you have enough information in your abstract? A simple rule-of-thumb is to
imagine that you are another researcher doing a similar study. Then ask yourself: if your abstract was the
only part of the paper you could access, would you be happy with the amount of information presented
there? Does it tell the whole story about your study? If the answer is "no" then the abstract likely needs
to be revised.
TITLE OF PAPER (ALL CAPS). No need for subtitle
Approach to Research
(2-3 pages)
This is where you discuss how you approached the research. Describe your desk research.
Compare it to your interviews and surveys. You can use a classic coding scheme or come up with
one yourself. Add to “Appendix: Surveys and Interviews” a summary of questions from your
surveys and interviews, as well as your process for OBJECTIVELY drawing conclusions from
what data and insights you gathered. Here, you might want to add how you coded the responses.
The Theory of Change Process (below) will supplement this section
Curriculum Model
(2-3 pages)
We have introduced several models in the course. There are hundreds more. If you chose one of
the models from the readings/discussions, explain why and how you used it. If there are other
curriculum models (perhaps suggested by the agency, school, or other entity), describe it here. It is
likely that the curriculum model reflects the philosophy and values of the agency, school, or other
entity. This will take some effort, so you may need to consult the agency, research, your
colleagues.
Summary of Survey
(2-3 pages)
• Assess what your target audience expects to gain from the survey. In this case, it might be the
development of a model based upon perception, so your survey might focus on beneficiaries,
rather than actual trainers. This is a delicate choice. Sometimes researchers conduct similar
surveys from the perspective of both.
• As for the types of surveys, you can consult your earlier courses, but make certain to follow a
consistent guide and explain it here. Here’s some help: https://explorable.com/selecting-the-
survey-method
• As for reporting the results of the survey, be very specific – what you asked, what you learned,
what conclusions you drew from data collected, and how you can justify the conclusions you
drew
Bibliography
• Separate page, not included in page count
• Include all sources footnoted and consulted in the document
• APA style format
Annotated Bibliography
• Separate page, not included in page count
• See more on Annotated Bibliographies: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/01/
TITLE OF PAPER (ALL CAPS). No need for subtitle
• Include how the work has enhanced insights into your chosen option (Example below)