EDS 8800 Program Orientation and Scholarly Writing

This course is designed to orient candidates to the Ed.S. program, the Specialist Candidate Learning Outcomes Log, the complexities of the extended GSTEP framework and the expectations for scholarly writing during the program. Scholarly writing is defined as writing which occurs in a scholarly context for a specialized audience. This style of writing is often written by experts in a subject area and is usually supported by some level of empirical research. This course will address scholarly writing from three perspectives: reading, writing and thinking. An explanation of the Flagship Writing Assignment which is a requirement for each course in the Ed.S. program is a major theme of the course content. The purpose of the course is to strengthen communication and consistency across the candidate's program by preparing him or her to conceptualize the entire program of study early on and continue to build on themes across the graduate experience. Candidates will explore policies and procedures of the State of Georgia and support agencies related to their program of study. Issues and concerns will be discussed about paradigms in educational research writing guidelines, requirements for graduation including the Specialist Program Candidate Learning Outcomes Log, advisement issues, professional development, programmatic themes, resources and services of the college, and library facilities. The goal of this course is to bring together a student's graduate experience, culminating in a research project (end of program), which demonstrates the individual's mastery of conceptual, content, and pedagogical skills and illustrated through a scholarly research project meeting all APA rules for publication. In other words, students will demonstrate the integration of theory and practice related to content knowledge, pedagogical strategies, and scholarly writing.

Credits

3

Student Learning Outcomes

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION OUTCOMES (See School of Education Syllabus A – IV)

COURSE OUTCOMES (CO)

Upon successful completion of this course, the candidate will be able to:

1. Candidates will become familiar with and understand the general design of the Specialist Program.
2. Candidates will informally assess themselves using the Georgia Teacher Keys Effectiveness System (TKES).
3. Candidates will understand the use of the Specialist Candidate Learning Outcomes (SPCLO) Log for all courses in the Ed. S. 
4. Candidates will participate in orientation and training concerning library resources at Piedmont College.
5. Candidates will enhance their knowledge and skills regarding APA writing and publication guidelines.
6. Candidates will choose a course track for their program selecting courses in either Curriculum and Instruction or Leadership (where applicable).
7. Candidates will become familiar with and begin planning for the Ed. S. Presentation to be held at the end of the final semester.
8. Candidates will understand scholarly writing as differentiated from other styles of writing.
9. Candidates will explore scholarly writing from three perspectives and will become familiar with topics associated with each perspective: reading, writing and thinking.
10. Candidates will participate in class activities which enhance their understanding of scholarly writing which will include such topics as: evaluating sources on the internet, thinking critically as you read, identifying the author’s purpose, skimming articles, note taking,  using APA format, creating a reference list, using primary and secondary sources, publishing scholarly work, plagiarism, editing and revising, creating reference lists, influences affecting writers and professional accountability.