ACE-D550, D590, D650, & D660 courses
Online learning experiences, like those in adult education, require motivation and self-directed learning strategies on the part of the learner. ACE-D 550 (Practicum), ACE-D 590 (Independent Study), ACE-D 650 (Internship), and ACE-D 660, like your other courses, are learner-centered and based on interactive learning activities.
You are expected to complete a Learning Contract for each of these courses to help you focus on being an active participant in this learning experience. What do you want to learn? How do you want to you to individualize the course to your particular professional development needs? These courses provide an opportunity to focus on an applied project related to your workplace or a community-based organization, or to do in-depth research on a specific adult education topic.
The Learning Contract template is designed to stimulate your thinking about how your learning outcomes fit into the expectations and activities for a self-directed course. It is also an opportunity to discuss your learning goals with your faculty advisor or course instructor to further clarify and focus them. You MUST provide a draft learning contract to the faculty member with whom you will be working BEFORE registering for the course. Based on your outline of your project and goals, the faculty member will provide you with guidance as to which course to register for and for how many credit hours. The faculty member will then authorize you to register. You will not be able to register for these courses without authorization.
Due Date for the Learning Contract
The due date for the finalized Learning Contract will be negotiated with the faculty supervisor. For planning purposes, students should assume that the first draft should be submitted prior to the beginning of the semester and the final draft negotiated by the end of the third week of the fall and spring semesters, and by the end of the first week of a summer session.
Due Date for Course Projects
The due date for final projects is generally the last day of classes for the semester in which the student registered, unless other arrangements have been made with the faculty supervisor. It is the student's responsibility to request an extension of the due date by way of an Incomplete.
An extended final project due date for D550, D590, D650, or D660 projects may be arranged but the length may be no later than one academic year from the start of the semester of original registration. (Example: A contract for a course taken in the spring semester must be completed by the end of the fall semester. A contract for a course taken in the summer session must be completed by the end of the following spring semester. A contract for a course taken in the fall semester must be completed by the end of the following summer session). If a project is not completed by that time, it will be assigned a grade of F.
Variable Credit Options
These courses may be taken for variable numbers of credit, typically from 1 to 3 credits. The final projects will be negotiated in the Learning Contract between the student and the faculty supervisor. You may propose various kinds of projects to document your learning, such as research papers, annotated bibliographies, interviews with documentation (may include audio or video recordings, or interview transcripts), videos, multimedia, Web pages, and other kinds of visual or performing arts projects. All projects will include a final document that describes the work process and reflects on your application of theory to both process and project.
D550 Practicum in Adult Education (1-3 credit hours)
Supervised practice in instructional planning, teaching, and program development in adult education settings, including schools and agencies.
The Practicum consists of supervised practice or a defined project, usually 60-70 hours “work time” per credit hour (may include reading and preparation as well as time on location). This may be a project completed for a student’s workplace.
The time element is monitored by both the student and the organization. The work product expectations are outlined in a Learning Contract in advance and approved by an ACE faculty supervisor. The work product should include:
- A weekly journal of activity & reflections for Practicum (200 – 400 words)
- A reflective paper (1000 – 2000 words) linking the Practicum experience with ACE theory & practice
- A project or program plan and/or description of the teaching experience, group facilitation, etc., as negotiated in the Learning Contract.
D590 Independent Study in Adult Education (1-3 credit hours)
Individual research or study with adult education faculty members, arranged in advance of registration. A Learning Contract specifying the scope of the project, project activities, meeting times, completion date, and study product(s) should be submitted to the instructor during the first week of term. This course may be used to do an in-depth study of the relationship of the student's concentration area to the field of adult education. The work product expectations are outlined in a Learning Contract in advance and approved by an ACE faculty supervisor. The work product should include:
- A negotiated project work product that usually has a practical application
- A final paper - 8 pages (minimum 2000 words) and 5 Annotations of sources (300 words for each annotation) per credit hour (length may be negotiated depending upon practical application)
- A reflective paper (500 words minimum) linking the Independent Study experience with ACE theory & practice
D650 Internship in Adult Education (1-6 credit hours)
Relates theory to practice through supervised field experiences and faculty appraisal and guidance. Students plan, conduct, and evaluate adult education programs in various institutional and community settings. The Internship differs from the Practicum in that the student is usually taking a more responsible role to plan, conduct and evaluate a program in the specific setting as an independent project. The Internship usually includes 60-70 hours “work time” per credit hour (may include reading and preparation as well as time on location). An Internship does not include any work done as part of a student’s regular employment. The time element is monitored by both the student and the organization. The work product expectations are outlined in a Learning Contract in advance and approved by an ACE faculty supervisor. The work product should include:
- A weekly journal of activity & reflections for Practicum (200 – 400 words)
- A reflective paper (1000 – 2000 words) linking the Internship experience with ACE theory & practice.
- A project or program plan and/or description of the teaching experience, group facilitation, etc., as negotiated in the Learning Contract.
D660 Readings in Adult Education (1-6 credit hours)
This Readings course is guided individual study to meet the professional needs of advanced graduate students. Consultations with the instructor are required.
The Readings course is based on independent work by the student, usually with a literature review focus, with the guidance of a faculty member. The work product expectations are outlined in a Learning Contract in advance and approved by an ACE faculty supervisor. The essential focus is on identifying a question that you want to research about a specific topic as the basis for a research paper to review the literature and synthesizes your learning from one (1) or two (2) books and at least five (5) professional/scholarly journal articles (published within the last 5 years). The number of books will be negotiated with the faculty supervisor, depending on the project and length of book, etc. The review of literature with specific topic focus should include:
- One (1) or two (2) book summaries and critiques (or other bibliographic essay format - 1000-1500 words minimum each) per credit hour.
- Five (5) Annotations of sources (300 words each) per credit hour. The specific list of literature to be reviewed must be approved by the faculty member in advance.
- A reflective paper (2000-2500 words minimum) that synthesizes and links the Readings experience with ACE theory & practice
Important: Each student should keep a backup (electronic and/or paper) copy of all Learning Contracts and work submitted electronically.
