The Thesis
This section here pertains to the thesis. It contains files that should prove useful to those who are thinking about choosing the thesis option for their final semester.
Thesis Overview
Here is a link to a video prepared by Professor McNeil which provides important information about the thesis process. It is an overview of the entire process. Happy viewing.
Thesis Timeline
This file shows the basic timeline for writing the thesis. It is important for students to realize that they need to start work on their thesis early.
Thesis Overview
Here is a link to a video prepared by Professor McNeil which provides important information about the thesis process. It is an overview of the entire process. Happy viewing.
Thesis Timeline
This file shows the basic timeline for writing the thesis. It is important for students to realize that they need to start work on their thesis early.
The Thesis Proposal
The first major step in writing the thesis is the proposal. Here is some information that will help students write the proposal.
The first major step in writing the thesis is the proposal. Here is some information that will help students write the proposal.
Writing the Thesis
The next step in the process is actually writing the thesis. Here is a basic guideline for the prats, order and points of a thesis.
The next step in the process is actually writing the thesis. Here is a basic guideline for the prats, order and points of a thesis.
Next, here is a template of the thesis. This is intended to help with the basic formatting of the thesis. Thesis students should take a careful look at this template and follow it. Theses submitted for the defense should follow this basic format.
Thesis Format
Thesis Defense
The completed, rough draft must be submitted to three committee members and a formal presentation of the thesis must be done. This is the thesis defense and it is an important event that is open to the public. As part of this presentation students must prepare Power Point slides and a short handout for the audience. Finally, here is a very basic template for the Power Point Presentation that people will need to prepare for the Thesis Defense. Please take a look at this and try to follow the suggestions here for a successful presentation.
The completed, rough draft must be submitted to three committee members and a formal presentation of the thesis must be done. This is the thesis defense and it is an important event that is open to the public. As part of this presentation students must prepare Power Point slides and a short handout for the audience. Finally, here is a very basic template for the Power Point Presentation that people will need to prepare for the Thesis Defense. Please take a look at this and try to follow the suggestions here for a successful presentation.
The Practicum
There are three main aspects of the Practicum upon which students should focus considerable attention.
Action Research
At the very heart of the Practicum is the idea of Action Research. All Practicum students are required to conduct a semester-long action research project which will be written up and added as a major component of the portfolio. This research can be conducted in the students' own current teaching situation or in a special class set up at the university for this purpose. Before making this important decision one needs to seriously consider their teaching intuition and the logistics of doing the Action research on their own which can be rather challenging. In the purpose-designed class students also work together and we have found that this usually works best.
Action Research
At the very heart of the Practicum is the idea of Action Research. All Practicum students are required to conduct a semester-long action research project which will be written up and added as a major component of the portfolio. This research can be conducted in the students' own current teaching situation or in a special class set up at the university for this purpose. Before making this important decision one needs to seriously consider their teaching intuition and the logistics of doing the Action research on their own which can be rather challenging. In the purpose-designed class students also work together and we have found that this usually works best.
Comprehensive Exams
One of these is the comprehensive exams. The exams take place towards the end of the semester and there are three of them. Although the names of the exams need to follow the names of specific courses offered ion the program, they are truly compressive exams in that the content of the exams covers all of the courses taught in the MA. This means that students will really need to study for the exams and in there process are expected to learn new things.
To facilitate the process and reduce the overall burden of study, students are organised into the groups from the start. Each group is responsible for a specific test. Within the group a certain student is given the responsibility of preparing stock answers for her or his assigned questions. These questions are reviewed by the professors and then revised. When the answers are all more or less acceptable, the groups take turns presenting their answers for each of the tests.
Here, please find the study questions for the Comprehensive Exams.
One of these is the comprehensive exams. The exams take place towards the end of the semester and there are three of them. Although the names of the exams need to follow the names of specific courses offered ion the program, they are truly compressive exams in that the content of the exams covers all of the courses taught in the MA. This means that students will really need to study for the exams and in there process are expected to learn new things.
To facilitate the process and reduce the overall burden of study, students are organised into the groups from the start. Each group is responsible for a specific test. Within the group a certain student is given the responsibility of preparing stock answers for her or his assigned questions. These questions are reviewed by the professors and then revised. When the answers are all more or less acceptable, the groups take turns presenting their answers for each of the tests.
Here, please find the study questions for the Comprehensive Exams.
Portfolios
Another of the main components of the Practicum students are required to create is an e-portfolio following certain standards. The portfolios are the product of the entire practicum process and will include materials generated both in and out of the practicum classes themselves. Students are guided through the process of generating a portfolio that works for them by the professor and the other Practicum students. These portfolios are required to be shared by posting them.
Here please find a board which includes the e-portfolios that teachers have created for the Practicum.
Another of the main components of the Practicum students are required to create is an e-portfolio following certain standards. The portfolios are the product of the entire practicum process and will include materials generated both in and out of the practicum classes themselves. Students are guided through the process of generating a portfolio that works for them by the professor and the other Practicum students. These portfolios are required to be shared by posting them.
Here please find a board which includes the e-portfolios that teachers have created for the Practicum.
