Capstone project presentation

Capstone Project Presentation for M.Ed. students with or without the teaching license

The capstone project process provides students with the opportunity to:

1. Share knowledge: Students will share their achievements and learn from their peers’ presentations, gaining insights into various topics and academic experiences.

2. Reflect and discuss: Students will reflect on their academic program of study and identify areas of improvement now that they have completed their program.

3. Plan: Students will articulate their overall learning experience as it relates to their current and/or future development as educators.

4. Improve presentation skills: Students will practice their communication and presentation abilities through the formal presentation process.

5. Build Self-awareness and growth: Through reflection and discussion as a group, students will demonstrate self-awareness and encourage continuous improvement.

Capstone project presentation process and structure

1. Arranging for the capstone project presentation

In the final semester of their program, all students who are required to participate in the capstone project presentation will receive an email from their advisor to identify a timeframe to meet as a group. Students presenting their project, as well as their program advisor and faculty members, must attend a one hour and a half virtual meeting towards the end of the semester. A Zoom invitation will be sent to all capstone presenters in advance. Alternative times will be offered if there isn’t one time that works for everyone.

2. Capstone project presentation materials to submit

Students can choose between 1-3 papers, projects, or work samples from their degree. Please select no more than 3 samples to present. Project/s chosen can come from any class completed during a student's program, including core courses and supporting focus (elective) classes. The chosen project/s should demonstrate the student’s academic and professional work and showcase their understanding of the subject matter as it relates to their academic and professional goals. 

All students participating in the capstone project presentation must submit a copy of their 3-5 slide PowerPoint presentation to famed@umn.edu at least 24 hours prior to the capstone paper presentation session.

3. Capstone project presentation process

Each student will be given an opportunity to present their project/s to their peers, advisor, and faculty during the designated capstone paper presentation session. Students will present their selected project/s with a 3-5 slide PowerPoint presentation. Each student will present for 15 minutes (8-10 minutes for presentation and 5-7 minutes for questions). Time will be kept during the presentation so please be mindful of keeping your presentation and questions to 15 minutes. The PowerPoint presentation should include:

1.  Introducing the project and its significance: Why the student chose the selected project.

2. Proud achievements: What the student has learned, what they are proud of, or other professional development gained during the class or their program as it relates to the selected project.

3. Areas for improvement: What growth or learning has occurred since the project was completed? What could be improved in their project now that the student has completed their program?

4. Learning Takeaways: Reflect on the broader learning experience during the student’s program and what they will take away to use in their future teaching endeavors. How does the paper topic relate to their future professional role or goal? How do they plan to use this information in a future professional role?

Following each presentation, there will be time for questions and answers where faculty members and peers can ask questions and provide feedback.

     4. Complete "end of program" survey

As a final step, each student is required to complete an "end of program" survey in order to provide feedback and perspectives upon completing their degree. The survey will be sent out via email to each student participating in the capstone presentation process.