EDU 7101 Week 1 Assignment Explore Your Vision and Community Support

Instructions

For this assignment, write a reflection on your professional and educational aspirations, and how you feel Northcentral can help you meet them. Be sure to mention the following:

• Background and interest: Describe your professional and educational background, as well as special areas of research or professional interests.
• Personal/professional vision: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
• Strengths and Challenges: After viewing Angela Lee Duckworth's video, "The key to success? Grit.", explain what personal strengths will support you in this training? What challenges do you have to overcome in order to be successful?
• Northcentral and you: How do you see your education at Northcentral fitting into your overall personal and professional development plans and goals?
• The NCU Doctoral Process: Did the information and expectations outlined during the orientation and referenced in the NCU Dissertation Center match your initial expectations?  How were they the same or different, and what might that mean for how you approach your doctoral studies? 
• Academic and Professional Communities: What academic and professional communities are available to you, and how might you take advantage of them?  Were any identified services or resources of interest to you? 
• The Northcentral Community: What questions do you have that might be answered by someone in the NCU community?  Where do you feel you may need support from Faculty and Advisors?

In this assignment, you will be introduced to the APA style of formatting, which you will use throughout this course and your doctoral program. This first paper will not be scored based on your ability to apply APA. Instead, use the APA Sample Paper provided in the Books and Resources for this Week, to provide your best effort at APA formatting. APA style will be considered in the score for the remaining assignments in this course, and throughout your program; use this assignment to prepare for the expectations.  In addition, use logically constructed paragraphs (not bulleted lists) with good spelling, grammar, and sentence structure as expected in doctoral level writing.

Length: 300-800 words, not including title page and reference page. 

Your paper should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. 

Be sure to adhere to Northcentral University's Academic Integrity Policy. 

Upload your document and click the Submit to Dropbox button.

Instructions

For this assignment, you will take part in a time management workshop. You will mark your progress and learning in a specially provided time management workbook that you will submit to your Faculty. You will need at least 30 minutes a day for 5 consecutive days to complete this workbook. The entire workshop, including viewing the video and completing the workbook, will take you approximately 10 hours to complete, so plan accordingly. 

The objective of this workshop is to get a fresh perspective on time and perhaps see time in ways you never considered before.

1. Set-up your account. Go to http://ncuregistration.attackyourday.net and enter your name and email address. You will be redirected to the time management training portal. At the same time you will be sent a password to the email address you entered. You will need this password to access the site in the future. To change your password, simply click “my profile” in the top right corner. You are encouraged, but not required, to set up a profile with your photo or avatar, bio, etc. If you experience technical difficulties email: ncu@attackyourday.net.
2. Bookmark the site. You will be asked to return to the Attack Your Day! Northcentral Training Portal in the next assignment (and you will likely want to visit the site throughout your degree program), so bookmark it now.
3. Download and print the Time Management Workbook. The Time Management Workbook is available in the Books and Resources for this Week as a MS Word document that you can fill in and save for later submission.
4. Watch the videos. There are seven videos you will find in the Time Management tab. Note that transcripts and audio clips are available as downloads under each video. The duration of each video ranges from about 5-11 minutes. You will complete some of the workbook while watching the videos, so have your workbook handy.
5. Consider downloading and reading Attack Your Day! Before It Attacks You. This book is available for free in the Downloads tab. You may order a soft cover copy at a discount ($9.95) by clicking on the link under the download button.

Now that you have completed the time management workshop, check to make sure that you have filled in the workbook completely and submit it for completion of this assignment.

Length: Entire Time Management workbook.

Instructions

For this assignment, read the Lourenco (2012) article listed in the Books and Resources for this Week as the primary information required completing the paper. If you like, you can include other scholarly articles of your choosing to further support your ideas and improve your paper; however, it is not required. The paper will focus on the following topics of discussion using appropriate citations: 

• A brief summary of the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky
• Similarities in the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky
• Differences between the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky
• What can be gained by a better understanding of these theories

Keep your paper within the suggested length (writing in a concise manner is one aspect of scholarly writing). A critical component in this assignment is that you write clearly, paraphrase correctly, and use citations and references appropriately. Your paper will be submitted to a text-matching service to see how well you were able to discuss these ideas in your own words using appropriate APA citations; Your instructor will share the report with you so you can see how you did.

Length: 3-5 pages, not including title page and reference page.

References: One resource as mentioned above.

Your paper should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Be sure to include citations for quotations and paraphrases with references in APA format and style where appropriate. 

Be sure to adhere to Northcentral University's Academic Integrity Policy. 

Upload your document and click the Submit to Dropbox button.

Instructions

For this assignment, choose one topic of interest to you related to your degree program. Then, explore available scholarly peer-reviewed resources using at least three of the following databases. 

EBSCOhost

     EBSCOhost Education Research Complete

     EBSCOhost SPORTDiscus

ProQuest

     ProQuest Education Journals

Sage Journals Online

Gale Academic OneFile

As noted in this Week’s Introduction, the use of peer-reviewed articles is important to you as a researcher. Find five peer-reviewed scholarly research articles in your area of interest. Use key words and search limiters to focus your searches. Next, write a short paper covering the following topics (you can use first person). Include an APA style References section with the five resources you found; list them according to APA formatting requirements.

• Describe your topic of interest and why it is important to you.
• What are “key words” and how do they help with searches?
• What key words did you use for your searches?
• What are “search limiters” and how do they help with searches?
• What search limiters did you use for your searches?
• What does “peer reviewed” mean Why is it important to conduct research?
• Comment on what you learned from two of the suggested NCU Library resources?
• Complete the Reference section per APA Style. 

Length: 2-4 pages, not including title page and reference page

References: Five resources from the search exercise

Your paper should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Be sure to include citations for quotations and paraphrases with references in APA format and style where appropriate. 

Be sure to adhere to Northcentral University's Academic Integrity Policy. 

Upload your document and click the Submit to Dropbox button.

Instructions

For this assignment, use one or more of the articles that you found in Week 4 to prepare a professional proposal. Your proposal will be written to a superior or academic organization (e.g., school principal / superintendent, board of education, university department chair, director of research,etc.) to assert your position concerning a specific difficulty or problem in the educational environment. Read the source or sources you use to support your proposal following the guidance offered in the Critical Reading vs. Critical Thinking video. Present both sides of your argument and why you believe your stance is appropriate or fulfills the stated requests.  Remember to support your ideas and claims with credible and scholarly sources (using the Northcentral Library databases).  

Length: 2-3 pages,not including title and reference pages. 

References: Minimum of three scholarly resources 

Your paper should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Be sure to include citations for quotations and paraphrases with references in APA format and style where appropriate. 

Be sure to adhere to Northcentral University's Academic Integrity Policy. 

Upload your document and click the Submit to Dropbox button.

Instructions

The purpose of this assignment is to ensure that you understand the critical elements of reviewing a resource for scholarly application. Additionally, you must be able to present your findings in a concise, academically-accepted format. 

Pre-Assignment: 

First, add to your list of references from the library assignment in Week 4 by identifying an additional article related to the research topic you used to create your outline during Week 4. 

Using the guidelines and resources you have reviewed, create an annotation for the new reference identified. You will gain practice by completing it. If possible, complete this part of the assignment early enough in the week to allow your work to sit for a day, then return and read it to assess how well you did. 

Assignment: 

For this assignment, use the guidelines and resources you have reviewed and create an annotated bibliography using the one of the following sources:

Holt, D., Palmer, S., Gosper, M., Sankey, M., & Allan, G. (2014). Framing and enhancing distributed leadership in the quality management of online learning environments in higher education. Distance Education, 35(3), 382-399. doi:10.1080/01587919.2015.955261.  
http://www.tandfonline.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/doi/full/10.1080/01587919.2015.955261

or

Maninger, R. (2006). Student test scores improved in an English literature course through the use of supportive devices. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning. 50(5), 37-45.  
http://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ774636&site=eds-live

You have these two articles to choose from; however, you will submit one detailed and developed annotation for this assignment. Your instructor will have an opportunity to provide feedback focused on your written communication skills, how well you convey your thoughts about the article, and the format (included research components) of your annotation. For the article you choose above, your instructor will also assess how well the content of your annotation reflects the content of the chosen article. 

Length: 1.5- 2 pages, not including the title page and reference page

References: One scholarly resource selected from list 

Your paper should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course by provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Be sure to include citations for quotations and paraphrases with references in APA format and style where appropriate. 

Be sure to adhere to Northcentral University's Academic Integrity Policy. 

Instructions

For this assignment, use the topic you chose in Week 4, along with the three associated resources you identified in Week 4. Add to this two new articles collected this week and write a brief summary in APA format that responds to the following questions:

1. Why do you want to study this topic?
2. What do you already know or presume about this topic?
3. Do you have personal experience with this topic in a way that will create obstacles for you or bias your inquiry?
4. How will studying this topic benefit the field of education?
5. Is this topic of sufficient interest to sustain a prolonged focus to complete the dissertation research process?

Length: 2-4 pages, not including title and reference pages

References: Include the three resources from Week 4 plus two new resources. 

Your paper should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Be sure to include citations for quotations and paraphrases with references in APA format and style where appropriate. 

Be sure to adhere to Northcentral University's Academic Integrity Policy. 

Instructions

For this assignment, develop a personal doctoral narrative. In this narrative, articulate both what you already know about yourself and your accomplishments, where you intend to go, and the challenges that you anticipate. Some questions to consider as you construct your narrative include the following:

1. Have you experienced a shift in thinking from the beginning of this course to the present?
2. How have your goals changed or expanded?
3. How can your understanding of the interplay between the theory, research, and practice in education guide you as you strive to bring about change in your present and future professional settings?
4. What are your perceptions of the educational profession and how will this profession work for you?
5. How does your personal philosophy of ethics affect the way you move forward with your goals?
6. What are your thoughts and feelings about taking a purposeful approach to personal growth through your ongoing coursework?
7. What additional thoughts and feelings do you have about moving forward with doctoral training in education?

Next, discuss three skills that you have just learned and three areas that need improvement. Some skills that you have practiced are listed below: 

• Develop a time management plan.
• Understand and apply the Academic Integrity Policy.
• Apply APA style.
• Create an annotated bibliography.
• Read and analyze complex texts.
• Perform an online library search.
• Formulate actionable goals and visualize overall goals.

Length: 3-5 pages

If you choose to complete this optional portion of the assignment, then you will complete the goal-writing workshop by viewing the videos as you did in Week 2 with the Time Management Workbook. This is for your benefit and growth. You will not submit this to your instructor or upload it to the course room.

Your paper should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Be sure to include citations for quotations and paraphrases with references in APA format and style where appropriate. 

Be sure to adhere to Northcentral University's Academic Integrity Policy.