Assignment One (Brian)

Assignment One: Case Narrative: May 14th & May 23rd . Course Weighting 25%.

This case narrative assignment provides you with the opportunity to examine a selected contemporary issue in adult education, specifically within the domain of teaching and learning. It also examines the role of case narratives as a research methodology used to investigate and develop understanding of the multiplicity of factors that contribute to the issue in a real-life educational context. This assignment consists of several parts:

a. Select a current issue (i.e. challenge, dilemma, area of controversy, etc.) in adult education that has to do with the interface between teaching and learning that you are able to investigate in an educational context.

b. Conduct a literature review (maximum length 1000 words) using, especially, the readings from the early part of this course that focus on the issue with the purpose of informing the key aspects of the issue. Draw your information from a variety of sources in order to gain insight into the various points of view pertaining to the topic.

c. Using the initial considerations and guidelines for writing an open case suggested by Koballa & Tippins and the further examples provided, develop a case narrative.

d. Post this narrative on your course blog by May 14, 2008.

e. Give the case narrative to at least three people, two of whom must be involved with this course (one may be yourself), and have them respond on your blog to the case using the guidelines provided in the section entitled “Writing Solutions to an Open Case.” Ensure you select individuals that would have a valued opinion and point of view. Also ensure you provide them with some guidelines for writing solutions.

f. Synthesize the results obtained from the responses and the information gathered from the literature review. The synthesis should contain some aspect that attempts to resolve the issue by providing possible courses of action to the narrative presented.

g. Post this synthesis on your blog so your respondents can read your synthesis.

h. Finally, comment on the professional value of this exercise for you personally.

Course Weighting: 33 1/3% Due Date: May 14 and May 23, 2008
Assessment Criteria: selection of topic; thoroughness of literature review; selection of individuals to respond to narrative; synthesis of information from commentaries; attempt to resolve by providing solutions; and evaluation of the usefulness of the exercise.