LDN 647

This capstone course promotes the synthesis and integration of knowledge acquisition and learning experiences gained in the previous four courses and provides an opportunity for students to apply what they have learned to their own educational context. Students select an area of investigation that is relevant to their current vocational needs and professional interests in order to create a capstone project. Whenever possible, projects are designed to be implemented at a student’s current academic institution. Such experiences provide both immediate feedback and an opportunity for the student to refine theoretical understandings and practical applications. The capstone course offers options for personalizing the learning experience by selecting topics, readings, and modes of expression that best match students’ goals and learning needs. Students design their own capstone experience from a menu of options, guided by the instructor.

Three graduate credits will be awarded, and the certificate in Learning Differences and Neurodiversity: Specialization in Postsecondary Disability Services for students achieving a grade of 80% or greater in this course.

Outline

This is an 8-week course.  The course consists of independent work and weekly meetings with the instructor scheduled at mutually agreeable times.

The course also includes 3 online synchronous sessions (i.e., live, group video discussions) scheduled primarily in the evenings (Eastern Time). We will make every attempt to accommodate individual schedules, but participants should plan on attending all synchronous sessions; alternate assignments are available for those that cannot attend live. Synchronous sessions will be hosted via web conferencing.

The course objectives align with professional standards in the field of LD, specifically the standards for special educators established by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). We have chosen to align to the “Advanced” set of Preparation Standards, as this higher-level set of standards more closely matches the level of content and expertise required of a graduate level course in the field. The CEC Professional Preparation Standards, linked here, or can be found on the CEC’s website: www.cec.sped.org.

The specifics of the course activities will be developed by the student in collaboration with the instructor.

LDN 647 Outline

The final course grade is determined by the following categories of assignments.

1. Synchronous Group Sessions (3 at 2 point each; 6%)
2. Proposal—A two-page, double-spaced description of the project that includes why you selected this project (rationale), background information (justifying your selection), overview of project idea, and project format (e.g., paper, website, presentation, resource guide). (14%)
3. Annotated Bibliography—An annotated bibliography is a list of citations of various books, articles, and other sources on a topic. The annotated bibliography looks like a Reference page but includes an annotation after each source cited. Your annotation should include a short summary of the source and a critical evaluation/reflection on the source’s possible use for the project. (10%)

4. Capstone Project—Your project will be developed in consultation with your instructor. Project examples include (but are not limited to):

   • a 10-page, double spaced paper (~2,750 words)
   • PowerPoint presentation, with notes on each slide
   • faculty or student survey and analysis
   • website development
   • or other (approved by instructor)

   (60%)

5. Final Presentation—15-minute presentation and 5-minute Q&A with instructor(s) and students in the program describing your project. (10%)