Your final project should rise out of your research and writing during the semester. At the beginning of the term, you'll propose a research topic in order to get some direction; however, that direction can (and probably will) change course at any time. Research is a process of discovery, so your proposal will, in part, take the form of a set of questions you hope to answer. Then, throughout the semester, you'll work on answering those questions, asking new questions, and continuing to zero in on what you want to produce at the end of the term.

Research Proposal

Your research proposal is a chance to ask questions, to be curious, to wonder, or to name a problem you see that you think needs consideration. The format of this proposal is entirely up to you. You can create a written outline, write me a letter, write yourself a letter, create a diagram, make a short video, articulate your ideas through pictures, etc. The only thing we ask is that you share with us something that will help us understand your interests, your questions, the work you hope to do.

If you are in the EdD, please think about how you might make the project fit your research.

To approach the proposal, you might consider perusing the bibliography here, or searching "critical digital pedagogy" on Google, or going down a rabbit hole after one of the authors we're reading. Or, you can meditate. Or, you can ask a colleague about digital education. Or, you can ask Twitter. Or, you can look for support and collaboration amongst the community on Slack.

Trust that the idea will come to you. And trust that, over the course of your research, it will change... even if only a little.

Once you've settled on a direction, your proposal should include:

  1. What area of critical digital pedagogy you are most interested in. What questions will you ask? Why do you think there's more to say on this topic? What drives you to add your voice to the throng? (If the answer to that last is "I'm doing this for the assignment," then ask yourself why not choose something you are passionate about?)
  2. Who your audience is. This is not a research project you are doing for me or for LDT; rather, consider that you are contributing to a wider discussion about critical digital pedagogy. To whom will your work appeal?
  3. What format you'll use. Is this going to be a video? A paper? A podcast? Some combination thereof? And when thinking about format, think also about citation: how do you plan to give credit where credit is due?
  4. What a successful project looks like. What rubric would you use to evaluate your final project? What counts as success? What markers of accomplishment or completion do you think are important?

Final Project

We will accept final projects anytime between April 24 - 30. Our hope for you is that you will create a final project which:

  1. Is meaningful to you personally, pedagogically, philosophically, professionally.
  2. Expands upon the ideas in this course as they intersect with the work that's important to you.
  3. Will have been interesting, and even fun, to create.

The final project can take any form appropriate to your scholarship, sensibilities, creativity, etc. It can be a formal paper, a narrative essay, a series of poems, a movie, a keynote speech, a textile project, music, etc. Along with the project, you'll complete a short reflection on the work which will examine your choices along the way.

Submit as a private message to Dr. Montoya and Dr. Summers via Slack OR you may use the assignment link in Canvas. We would also encourage you to share your final project with your peers within the #spr23-finalproject slack channel.

If there was ever a graduate-level project to go at with abandon, this is it. That said, your project should have a reason, a raison d'être for being not only what it is—its form or content—but also for existing. I will not look askance at your project if you turn in an epic poem or a video of interpretative dance... unless there is even the merest hint that it is frivolous. That's not to say there can't be mirth and joy in your work, only that it should make a contribution of some kind to the field of critical digital pedagogy. Taking this project seriously is grounded in taking yourself seriously.

A Word on Collaboration

You are allowed to collaborate on your final project. Collaboration, though, is always a matter of discernment as much as it is synchrony. If you find that someone in class has a similar idea to you, if you find that you really get along with or hear yourself in someone's voice, then collaboration might be for you.

But collaboration is not the same as a group project. Collaboration isn't about one person doing part of something and the other person doing another part. It's a blending of voices and vision. It's deeper and more meaningful (and potentially more lasting) than cooperation. I encourage collaboration in all things. I believe we do better work in the world when we work together.

Note: Please don't collaborate because you feel you can't do this yourself. You are 1000% capable of creating a spectacular final project. If you ever feel you can't, please reach out to me.