1. Thesis Project Process Brian Newberry Spring 2013

2. What is a Thesis Project? There are two culminating options in the ETEC program. The comprehensive exam or a thesis project. A thesis project in this program requires you to create a high quality electronic teaching resource and report on the process of creating it, testing it, and implementing it in a four chapter thesis.

3. Why a Thesis? A thesis project is a large undertaking. It requires a significant commitment of time and energy. Still, there are good reasons to do a thesis project. To become an expert in a narrow area or topic. To develop a high quality product to further career goals. To solve a problem or meet a need in your current job. To better prepare for a terminal degree experience.

4. Suggested/Recommended Project Process Major Milestones Selecting a Topic Completing the Proposal Massive Literature Review IRB Application and Approval Development and Testing Implementation and Evaluation Draft Thesis to First Reader Refined Thesis to Second Reader Format Review

5. Suggested/Recommended Project Process Topic Idea The idea often comes from our personal experience and is often conceptualized as a problem that needs a solution. A good idea is one in which you have some interest but not one that you must solve to be happy or fulfilled as a human being. The reason is because of the need for compromise that is built in to the process. For you see, you must do what you can in the time you have with the resources available to you. Seldom will you have enough time (deadlines) or enough resources.

6. Suggested/Recommended Project Process Preliminary literature review You must find three or more important articles/books that are the backbone for your investigation/development. Ideally one or more of these will tie you into an accepted but not tired theory.

7. Suggested/Recommended Project Process Proposal (MA Project Application) Introduction (parallels chapter 1) Literature review (parallels chapter 2 and includes the preliminary literature review) Method (parallels chapter 3 and should include the ADDIE steps for a design and development project and the design, instruments.) Conclusion or Summary (List foreseeable problems and how to deal with them, explain what you expect to learn and how this will help you etc.)

8. Suggested/Recommended Project Process Massive Literature Review You need to locate 50 or more articles/books etc. for your literature review. You will not use all of them but they will all help in some way. It is helpful to find a few theses or dissertations in the general area you are working. I suggest finding at least one bad one and several good ones. Develop three or more threads or main topics that inform your development.

9. Suggested/Recommended Project Process IRB Institutional Review Board Irb.csusb.edu The Board is responsible for assuring compliance with accepted research procedures involving human subjects.

10. Suggested/Recommended Project Process Use the ADDIE Instructional Design Model Analysis Design Development Implementation Evaluation

11. Suggested/Recommended Project Process Analysis Your plan explains what you are going to do and fits nicely into chapter 3. Your analysis explains what you learned and also goes into chapter 3. What is the nature of the problem (in light of your literature review but specific to your setting)? What are the characteristics of the target population? How will you know your resource worked to solve the problem?

12. Suggested/Recommended Project Process Design Now that you understand the research in the area; And you understand the parameters of the problem; And you understand the target population; And you have defined how you will know you succeeded You design the solution that arise from the research; And addresses the problem; For your target population; To achieve success.

13. Suggested/Recommended Project Process Development Production Alpha Test Revision Alpha Test Revision Beta Test Corrections Beta Test Corrections It is essential that you test your product several times. Use subject matter experts. Media experts, sample groups of your target population and fellow students in ETEC.

14. Suggested/Recommended Project Process Implementation Use your product and gather performance data.

15. Suggested/Recommended Project Process Evaluation Determine the effectiveness of your product and reflect upon your development process.

16. Suggested/Recommended Project Process Timeline Selecting a Topic: 12 Months Before Desired Graduation Completing the Proposal: 12 Months Before Desired Graduation Massive Literature Review: 10 Months Before Desired Graduation IRB Application and Approval: 9 Months Before Desired Graduation Development and Testing: 8 Months Before Desired Graduation Implementation and Evaluation: 6 Months Before Desired Graduation Draft Thesis to First Reader: 4 Months before Format Review Refined Thesis to Second Reader: 3 Months before Format Review Format Review: 2 Months before Desired Graduation