ED 660: Thesis I
This is the first of two courses in developing, researching and writing your M.S. Thesis. Your thesis work will enable you to become a more reflective practitioner as you learn to explore ideas and practice in art education, pose your own research questions and carry out a research project. The course will help you analyze diverse perspectives on a topic you are curious and perhaps passionate about so that you develop the capacity to question your assumptions and previous knowledge, accept uncertainty, and situate your research within the ongoing theoretical and empirical research debates.
The thesis project is developed from questions raised by one or more of the following: observations, fieldwork, reading, studio practice, personal interest, and related art education coursework. The research is grounded in the theories and practices that sustain art education research, incorporating social science, historical and new visual arts research methods.
As the first stage of work on the thesis, this course will help develop a wide range of research skills and capacities. By the end of the semester all students will have formulated their thesis question, written a literature review, identified research methods, completed the thesis proposal, and started data collection. The goal is to be in the best position possible to complete the thesis next semester.
Students will deepen their understanding of the foundations of art and design education and develop an original contribution to the field, according to the following teaching standard:
New York State Teaching Standard VII, Professional Growth: Teachers set informed goals and strive for continuous professional growth.
Element V11.4 - Teachers remain current in their knowledge of content and pedagogy by utilizing professional resources.
Performance Indicators
a. benefit from, contribute to, or become members of appropriate professional organizations.
b. access and use professional literature and other professional development opportunities to increase their understanding of teaching and learning.
c. expand their knowledge of current research as it applies to curriculum, instruction, and assessment methods.
Goals:
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
The thesis project is developed from questions raised by one or more of the following: observations, fieldwork, reading, studio practice, personal interest, and related art education coursework. The research is grounded in the theories and practices that sustain art education research, incorporating social science, historical and new visual arts research methods.
As the first stage of work on the thesis, this course will help develop a wide range of research skills and capacities. By the end of the semester all students will have formulated their thesis question, written a literature review, identified research methods, completed the thesis proposal, and started data collection. The goal is to be in the best position possible to complete the thesis next semester.
Students will deepen their understanding of the foundations of art and design education and develop an original contribution to the field, according to the following teaching standard:
New York State Teaching Standard VII, Professional Growth: Teachers set informed goals and strive for continuous professional growth.
Element V11.4 - Teachers remain current in their knowledge of content and pedagogy by utilizing professional resources.
Performance Indicators
a. benefit from, contribute to, or become members of appropriate professional organizations.
b. access and use professional literature and other professional development opportunities to increase their understanding of teaching and learning.
c. expand their knowledge of current research as it applies to curriculum, instruction, and assessment methods.
Goals:
- To become skilled at research and information retrieval.
- To identify research in relevant fields of knowledge.
- To become familiar with various techniques of effective data collection, analysis and critical reflection.
- To design an original research project or field study, using appropriate qualitative methodology.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Design a research study of a classroom, school or other arts-based setting.
- Formulate research questions that require reasoning from more than one point of view. Monitor assumptions on research topic. Identify relevant research methodologies. Identify and differentiate distinct fields of knowledge related to research questions. Practice effective written and visual communication.
- As evidenced by the following assignments and projects with accompanying