CapstoneElementary and Middle Master’s

Level Students What?

Now What?

Gardner-Webb University

Capstone Components

Elementary and Middle Grades Masters students will develop and submit a capstone project during the process of coursework at Gardner-Webb.

The following outlines will give you information of when students will be expected to complete each part of the process.

GWU Elementary Masters Capstone Process

Capstone 1 - EDUC 631 – Complete Chapter 1 and begin Chapter 2 – Place drafts of Chapters 1 and 2 on Task Stream

EDUC 632 – Continue to work on Chapters 1 and 2; Introduce and begin writing Chapter 3

Capstone 2 – EDUC 633 – Complete Chapter 3 – Place Drafts of Chapters 1, 2, and 3 on Task Stream

EDUC 634 – Collect data; Write Chapters 4 and 5

Capstone 3 – EDUC 635 – Present Capstone to an audience and document and place final product on Task Stream

TaskStream Submissions: Drafts of Chapters 1 and 2 at end of Capstone 1; Drafts of Chapters 1, 2, and 3 at end of Capstone 2; Final project and all requirements at end of Capstone 3

GWU Middle Grades Masters Capstone Process

EDUC 642 – Continue to work on Chapters 1 and 2; Introduce and begin writing Chapter 3

EDUC 644 – Collect data; Write Chapters 4 and 5

TaskStream Submissions: Drafts of Chapters 1 and 2 at end of Capstone 1; Drafts of Chapters 1, 2, and 3 at end of Capstone 2; Final project and all requirements at end of Capstone 3

Capstone Development ProcessCapstone Course 1 (EDUC 631

&641):

EDUC 631 and 641– Decide on an action research question at your

school and outline Chapter 1 of the capstone.Begin writing Chapter 1 (Introduction and

Problem Statement)of the capstone by following the handout from your instructor.

Outline Chapter 2 (Study of the Problem-Literature Review) (at least an outline should be done)

Capstone Development ProcessCapstone Course 2 (EDUC 633 &

643):

Develop and submit to Task Stream the capstone thesis in a Word document that includes the following parts:

 Cover PageAbstractChapter 1 Introduction and Problem StatementDefinition of TermsChapter 2 Study of the Problem/Review of

Literature

Capstone Development ProcessCapstone Course 2 (EDUC 633&

643):

Chapter 3 Methodology/Outline and Evaluation Design of StudyDelimitationsLimitationsMethodParticipantsInstrumentsProcedures 

Components for Capstone Course 3 (EDUC 635 & 645):

Cover PageAbstractChapter 1 Introduction and Problem

StatementTermsChapter 2 Study of the Problem/Review of

LiteratureChapter 3 Methodology/Outline and

Evaluation

Components for Capstone Course 3 (EDUC 635 & 645):

Chapter 3 of the capstone continued:DelimitationsLimitationsMethodParticipantsInstrumentsProcedures

Chapter 4 ResultsChapter 5 Conclusions, Discussions, and

Recommendations

Other Information: 

When working with human subjects, candidate will submit an application to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the university. Studies of human subjects are not allowed without permission from the IRB. Specific instructions for the IRB process will be explained and completed in EDUC 633 & 643.

Candidate will use the Gardner-Webb Style Guide and the Sixth Edition of the APA Publication Manual

NC Professional Teaching Standards

Standards for Graduate Teacher Candidates The North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards Commission

developed teaching standards based on a “new vision of teaching” in light of 21st century opportunities, needs and demands. The following five graduate program standards are parallel to and expand upon those standards. These are advanced standards, appropriate for teacher education programs to use as guidelines in developing their graduate level teaching programs. Teachers granted the master’s degree license are expected to be teacher leaders in their specialty area, to facilitate the creation of healthy educational environments, to have deep knowledge and skills in their content and curriculum, to use research in making decisions about effective practice for student learning, and to be continuous, reflective practitioners who model the values of lifelong learning, critical thinking, problem-solving and innovation. A new standard has been added recently which states that teachers contribute to the academic success of students.

Standards cont.

Standard 1: Teacher Leadership

Teacher leaders assume the roles and responsibilities of collaborative leaders in schools and communities. Teachers demonstrate leadership in their classrooms, schools and professional organizations; they advocate for students and effective educational practices and policies; and they are role models for ethical leadership. Teacher leaders will know and be able to:

Demonstrate effective ongoing communication, collaboration, and team-building among colleagues.

Facilitate mentoring and coaching with novice teachers. Set goals and establish priorities while promoting educational

initiatives that positively affect student learning. Participate in professional learning communities.  

Standards cont.

Standard 2: Respectful Educational Environments

Teacher leaders model leadership by establishing a positive and productive environment for a diverse population of students, their families, and the community. Teachers are knowledgeable about cultures and global issues and how they are contextualized locally. Teachers help colleagues develop effective strategies for students with special needs. They encourage positive, constructive relations among colleagues and students. Teacher leaders:

Facilitate the development of inviting, respectful, supportive, inclusive, and flexible educational communities.

Create collaborative partnerships with families, schools, and communities to promote a positive school culture.

Facilitate and model caring and respectful treatment of individuals within the learning community.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of diverse world cultures and global issues.

Encourage high expectations for all students. Collaboratively design and implement curriculum and instruction that is responsive

to learner differences.

Standards cont.

Standard 3: Content and Curriculum Expertise

Teacher leaders have a deep knowledge of the subjects they teach and understanding of curriculum theory and development. They value collaboration and the interconnectedness of disciplines. They understand the importance of curriculum relevance in engaging students in content. Teacher leaders:

Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

Model the integration of 21st century content and skills into educational practices.

Develop relevant, rigorous curriculum.    

Standards cont.

Standard 4: Student Learning Teacher leaders facilitate student learning through evidence-

based practice informed by research. They understand and apply research in child and adolescent development, cognitive development, and general and specialized pedagogy. They encourage critical reading, writing and thinking in the learning process. They foster instructional and evaluation methods that embrace variety and authenticity. They promote student reflection and self-assessment. They encourage colleagues and students to take on leadership roles and work in teams. Teacher leaders:

Seek out and use existing research to inform school practices. Design action research to investigate and improve student

learning and school policies and practices. Model technology integration that supports student learning. Critically analyze student and school performance data to

determine needs and plan instruction that is rigorous, coherent, and substantiated within a theoretical and philosophical base.

Standards cont.

Standard 5: Reflection Teacher leaders contribute to systematic, critical analysis

of learning in their classrooms and beyond. They are lifelong learners who model and support ongoing professional development. Teachers embrace critical thinking, problem solving, and innovation. Teacher leaders:

Promote an educational culture that values reflective practice.

Model the development of meaningful professional goals.

Model personal and professional reflection to extend student learning and school

Standards cont.

Standard 6: (new in August 2011)

Teachers contribute to the academic success of students.

To be defined by the state of NC

Capstone Mentors:

Capstone mentors will be the instructors of 631 and 641 class. These instructors will assist the students all the way through the process and serve with the teachers of the second and third capstone class as readers of the final capstone on Task Stream.

If you are teaching Capstone 1, Capstone 2, and/or Capstone 3 classes, you will be the Task Stream evaluator for the assignment.

Journals

Reflection on the capstone process:

A minimum of 10 reflections are required to be written as part of the capstone process. More to come…

Presentation to Audience

Capstones are to be presented to an audience of peers.

Questions

Any further questions