OVERVIEW of the CAPSTONE

Graduate Catalog Description

Capstone Seminar

This course provides guidance and a structured environment in which students develop advanced instructional design skill in the context of their capstone project. Seminar topics, selected to support participating students' projects, may include: component display analysis; needs assessment data, analysis, and reporting techniques; cognitive flexibility theory; competency modeling; and self-directed/learner-centered strategies. Students who have completed thirty (30) or more credits toward the Instructional Design MEd may enroll in this course.

3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

What is the purpose of the capstone project?

Your capstone project will provide evidence that you have mastered the Instructional Design process consisting of Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. You begin by analyzing a performance problem, and proceed to design and develop a solution. Most of the time, this solution will be comprised of formal instruction, however, other solutions are also possible. For example, you could develop a knowledge base or list of job aids rather than a formal training session. The capstone project builds on the other courses in the program and is considered the culminating activity that ties the curriculum together for you.

Who are the capstone advisors and what is their role?

There are generally two (2) capstone advisors: program faculty and other faculty as assigned. The role of the capstone advisor is to provide guidance during the project - answer questions, share resources, etc. Most students complete the capstone project via email and phone consultation, though if you are a local student, you are also welcome to meet with your capstone advisor in person. Although there are no mandatory face-to-face meetings for the capstone, the capstone is a personalized experience, developed between advisor and student, and you will work closely throughout the process.

The capstone advisor(s) will be facilitating students through the capstone projects during the semester in which they are registered. If you would like to start your project prior to the beginning of the semester in which you will enroll, you are encouraged to contact your academic advisor for guidance. Note that your academic advisor and your capstone advisor may not necessarily be the same person.

How can I prepare for the capstone project?

The capstone course (INSDSG 690) should be taken as either your 11th or 12th course in the MEd program. All of your core courses should be completed before (or concurrently with) the capstone course.

Most students identify an authentic, real-world topic for their capstone projects. You can complete projects at your place of employment if you are the primary instructional designer. You can also work with community organizations or with individual subject matter experts. It is a good idea to begin thinking about your capstone project by your fourth semester in the program. You are encouraged to speak with your academic advisor about possible topics prior to registering for the capstone. He/she can advise you concerning the scope of your project.

Students may opt to do a research paper instead of the project just discussed above. Here are the guidelines to consider for the research paper.

What is the scope of a capstone project?

This is not an easy question to answer since each project is unique. You should begin discussing your project early in the process with your capstone advisor. You may also contact Judith Erdman or your Capstone Advisor to pre-approve an idea you may be formulating regarding your capstone project.

The project should be an excellent example of your competence in all phases of the instructional design process. The quality of the design considerations is as important as the end product. The project must be substantial enough to provide a challenge to build and evaluate. It should be a portfolio piece of which you are proud. A very general guideline may be to create an intervention equivalent to a 1-credit hour course which would take a learner roughly 45 hours of work to complete. Also, you can design a larger project and create pilot materials for a piece of the project. For instance, you can create a design for a larger course and create 1-2 modules for that course. Again, each project is different, and you are encouraged to be in contact with your capstone advisor to make sure that your project is an appropriate size.

After completing your capstone, you are encouraged to share your project in UMass Boston's ScholarWorks. Your capstone advisor will provide information on how to submit your work. The UMass Boston ScholarWorks website provides a list of previous capstone projects, which can help you in formulating your ideas.

What if I don't complete the capstone project during the registered semester?

You should work with your capstone advisor to make sure the scope of your project can be realistically completed in a semester. In cases where you have made satisfactory progress, but something beyond your control prevents you from completing the capstone project in a given semester, you may request an "incomplete" grade from your advisor which will give you more time to complete your work. (please see INSDSG and Graduate Studies policies on receiving a grade of "Incomplete").

You must, however, register for CAS-600 and pay the program fee for each semester you take to complete the work. Failure to pay the program fee while you work to complete your project will cause the Registrar to delay awarding your degree.