Purpose: It is the purpose of this assignment to allow the student to demonstrate mastery over some aspect of the content of EDCI 5114. The form of the demonstration of this mastery may be tailored to each student's strengths.

Overview: The Project is an opportunity for the student to demonstrate mastery of a particular domain or content area in a way that is commensurate with their personal strengths and interests. Both the topic of the student's project and the method in which they choose to convey that topic are left to the individual student. Students are to research a topic and present the findings of their research to the instructor and/or class. While the topic and presentation style are chosen by the student, they must be approved by the instructor.

Grading Rubric: Each project will be graded using the following four criteria:

1. Evidence and Accuracy of Research (60 pts)
   
   
   • relevance and currency of sources
   • variance and synthesis of sources
   • coverage of topic area
   • documented behavioral analysis
     
     
2. Quality of Project Presentation (60 pts)
   
   
   • APA (4th or 5th ed.) format for all written work
   • well edited video work
   • form of classroom presentation materials
   • bug free computer program/web page
     
     
3. Organization, Writing/Speech Style, Grammar (60 pts)
   
   
   • APA (4th or 5th ed.) organization on research and experimental papers
   • coherent organization for all presentations (e.g., video, classroom, computer)
   • clear, concise, and comprehensible writing for all papers
   • correct grammar
     
     
4. Outline/Summary (20 pts)
   
   
   • detailed and focused topic
   • specific presentation style
     
     

Timeline: Consult the course syllabus for due date of the Project. Any student that will require class time to present their project should set up a time for their presentation (this will be addressed in class). There will only be five slots available for classroom presentations, so if you plan on presenting to the classroom, let me know as early as possible.

Outline/Summary: A one-half page outline or summary of the proposed project is due four weeks prior to the project due date (see Syllabus for actual due date). The outline/summary should include the topic area and the nature of the presentation style. The topic should be detailed enough for the instructor to understand the specific focus of the project (e.g., "Topic: Punishment" is not enough). Students may change their topic and/or their presentation style, with permission of the instructor, after submitting the outline/summary. There is, however, one exceptions. No one may declare their presentation style to be "classroom presentation" after the outline/summary date.

Type of Project: The actual form of the project may vary considerably. Below is a series of project types as examples. Any project type other than those listed should be cleared by the instructor prior to beginning the project.

• Literature Review
• Classroom Presentation
• Small Experiment
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Computer Program/Web Page
• Other

Project Specifics:

Literature Review: A literature review must be at least 15 pages in length, follow APA format (4th or 5th ed.), and include the necessary number of references (no less than 15 sources and no more than 3 Internet sources). A student preparing a thesis or dissertation may use this project as a precursor to that task; however, a student may not simply submit a pre-written thesis or dissertation literature review for this project.

Classroom Presentation: A classroom presentation should be designed to inform the class regarding the research that the student conducted. A classroom presentation must be approximately 25 minutes in length and must somehow involve the class. The exact form of the classroom presentation is variable. If audio/visual equipment is used, its use should be limited (i.e., playing a 25 minute CBS Special Report video would not constitute a project).

Small Experiment: A small experiment may be conducted by the student with the results presented either in a report format or a classroom presentation. The nature of the experiment (e.g., experimental, ethnographic, correlational, single-subject) is variable. If a report format is used, then the research report must be at least 15 pages in length; if a classroom presentation is used, then the presentation must be approximately 25 minutes in length.

Applied Behavior Analysis: An Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) applies the concepts and principles of behaviorism in an effort to change behavior. The student will use the ABA in an attempt to modify their own behavior or the behavior of an informed adult. The exact nature and requirements of an ABA are noted in the Applied Behavioral Analysis handout. The ABA will result in a written report, APA format (4th or 5th ed.), of not less that 15 pages in length, with the necessary number of references.

Computer Program/Web Page: A computer program/web page may be written by a student that either demonstrates/simulates some aspect of learning and memory (e.g., a tutorial), or measures some aspect(s) of learning and memory (e.g., data collection). The computer project must be of sufficient magnitude to deserve being considered a project. The instructor will work closely with those choosing to write a computer program or web page to ensure that the magnitude of the project is sufficient.