EDUC/COUN 6326 Personal Learning Plan

Section A: Pre-course self-assessment (Student completes this section.)

Name M.Ed. Program specialty

Semester in Program

For the following items, please select the response that best describes your self-assessment at the beginning of the course.

Strongly Disagree

Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

I am skilled in using library databases for research.

I am skilled in analyzing research articles.

I am skilled in using APA style.

I am skilled in scholarly writing.

I am skilled in applying the writing process to a variety of writing tasks.

Please briefly identify your main goal for this class.

Please briefly ask one question about this class.

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Sections B and C: Research topic concept map and compare and contrast essay outline feedback (Professor completes this section.) Note that * indicates Proficient characteristics.

Concept map content

* Research topic is comprehensively explored.Work on eliminating irrelevant content.Additional concepts or details needed.

Outline content

* Introduction, thesis, evidence, recommendation, and conclusion are included.* Thesis is clear and focused.One or more components is missing.Thesis is vague or ambiguous.Additional details needed.

Concept map organization

* Well-organized. Clear relationships.Relationships among concepts unclear.Organization needs work.

Outline organization

* Well-organized. Smooth flow.Review placement of thesis.Organization needs work.

Quality of research topic

* Topic is focused and researchable.Topic is too broad. Work on narrowing.Topic is too narrow.Topic cannot be easily researched.Topic needs clarification.Topic has only one perspective.Social justice implication missing.

Quality of reference list

* References are in APA style.Author name format incorrect.Year format incorrect.Article title format incorrect.Journal title format incorrect.Volume format incorrect.Page number format incorrect.

Other comments on concept map Other comments on outline

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Sections D and E: Compare and contrast essay - draft and final version feedback (Professor completes these sections.) Note that * indicates Proficient characteristics.

Compare and contrast essay - draft Compare and contrast essay - final

Audience and purpose - draft

* Essay is written for a scholarly audience.* Essay's purpose (to compare and contrast perspectives) is clear.Essay is written in overly casual tone for non-scholarly audience.Essay uses overly technical or specialized language without defining terms.Essay veers from purpose.

Audience and purpose - final

* Essay is written for a scholarly audience.* Essay's purpose (to compare and contrast perspectives) is clear.Essay is written in overly casual tone for non-scholarly audience.Essay uses overly technical or specialized language without defining terms.Essay veers from purpose.

Thesis statement - draft

* Clear, focused, and inviting.Vague or ambiguous. Clarify.Too broad. Work on narrowing.Does not leave room for debate. Work on making it debatable.

Thesis statement - final

* Clear, focused, and inviting.Vague or ambiguous. Clarify.Too broad. Work on narrowing.Does not leave room for debate. Work on making it debatable.

Organization - draft

* Contains introduction, body, and conclusion.* Information is well-organized and relevant.One or more parts is missing.Organization is confusing or illogical.Irrelevant information is included.

Organization - final

* Contains introduction, body, and conclusion.* Information is well-organized and relevant.One or more parts is missing.Organization is confusing or illogical.Irrelevant information is included.

Transitions - draft

* Transitions ease flow of essay.Transitions are missing.Incorrect transitional words/phrases are used.

Transitions - final

* Transitions ease flow of essay.Transitions are missing.Incorrect transitional words/phrases are used.

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Paragraph structure - draft

* Paragraphs are unified, logically organized, and concise.One or more sentences unrelated to the topic of the paragraph.Sentences do not flow in a logical, coherent way.Some wordiness or rambling is present.

Paragraph structure - final

* Paragraphs are unified, logically organized, and concise.One or more sentences unrelated to the topic of the paragraph.Sentences do not flow in a logical, coherent way.Some wordiness or rambling is present.

Language use/wording - draft

* Language is clear and accurate.Incorrect word choice(s) in essay.Awkward phrasing in essay.Overreliance on quotations. Need to paraphrase.

Language use/wording - final

* Language is clear and accurate.Incorrect word choice(s) in essay.Awkward phrasing in essay.Overreliance on quotations. Need to paraphrase.

Grammar - draft

* No grammatical errors.See checklist below.

Grammar - final

* No grammatical errors.See checklist below.

Mechanics - draft

* No mechanical errors.See checklist below.

Mechanics - final

* No mechanical errors.See checklist below.

In-text citations - draft

* No citation errors.See checklist below.

In-text citations - final

* No citation errors.See checklist below.

References - draft

* No reference errors.See checklist below.

References - final

* No reference errors.See checklist below.

Source material - draft

* Sources are peer-reviewed, relevant, and current.Sources are not peer-reviewed.Sources are not relevant.Sources are not current (most should be <10 years old).

Source material - final

* Sources are peer-reviewed, relevant, and current.Sources are not peer-reviewed.Sources are not relevant.Sources are not current (most should be <10 years old).

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Essay instructions - draft

* All instructions are followed.Page limit not adhered to.Content of essay does not adhere to instructions.Minimum number of references (2) not included.Other deviation from instructions - see comments below.

Essay instructions - final

* All instructions are followed.Page limit not adhered to.Content of essay does not adhere to instructions.Minimum number of references (2) not included.Other deviation from instructions - see comments below.

Essay content - draft

* Personal experience illustrates and supports thesis.* Research evidence supporting thesis is included.* Alternative/contradictory perspective is included.* Article perspectives are compared and contrasted.* Conclusion includes a recommendation connected to thesis.One or more content elements not included.

Essay content - final

* Personal experience supports thesis* Research evidence supporting thesis is included.* Alternative/contradictory perspective is included.* Article perspectives are compared and contrasted.* Conclusion includes a recommendation connected to thesis.One or more content elements not included.

Peer review feedback

* Feedback is thoughtful and detailed.* Feedback provides specific suggestionsFeedback is limited to praise.Feedback does not provide specific suggestions.

Overall rating on essay - final

ProficientDeveloping but ImprovedNot Improved

Additional comments - draft Additional comments - final

5

Checklist: Review the items checked below, as one or more errors was noted in your essay.

Compare and contrast essay - draft

Subject - verb agreementPronoun clarityCorrect verb tenseAvoid second person ("you")Parallel constructionComplete sentencesConcise sentencesAvoid contractionsComma after introductory clauseCommas in list of itemsComma before conjunction separating independent clausesOther punctuationUse of ampersand (&) vs. andAuthor last names only in textCitations: Author name and yearCitations: Use of et al.Page number included with quotations (e.g., p. 10)Quotation marks vs. block textReferences: Author name formatReferences Year formatReferences: Article title formatReferences: Journal title formatReferences: Volume formatReferences: Book title formatReferences: Page numbers formatRunning head and page number format on title pageRunning head and page number format on subsequent pagesSection headings formatMargins (1 inch)Font (Times New Roman, 12 point)Title at top of p. 2 of essay

Compare and contrast essay - final

Subject - verb agreementPronoun clarityCorrect verb tenseAvoid second person ("you")Parallel constructionComplete sentencesConcise sentencesAvoid contractionsComma after introductory clauseCommas in list of itemsComma before conjunction separating independent clausesOther punctuationUse of ampersand (&) vs. andAuthor last names only in textCitations: Author name and yearCitations: Use of et al.Page number included with quotations (e.g., p. 10)Quotation marks vs. block textReference: Author name formatReference: Year formatReference: Article title formatReference: Journal title formatReference: Volume formatReference: Book title formatReference: Page numbers formatRunning head and page number format on title pageRunning head and page number format on subsequent pagesSection headings formatMargins (1 inch)Font (Times New Roman, 12 point)Title at top of p. 2 of essay

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Section F: Self-reflection and plan (Student completes this section.)

Review the final version of your compare and contrast essay. Identify three strengths evident in your work and describe them here.

Compare your first draft to your final essay. Identify one or two areas in which you have grown as a writer.

Identify three goals for your synthesis paper. Be as specific as possible (e.g., rather than indicating that you want to "improve grammar," state that you want to "ensure subject-verb agreement; rather than indicating that you want to "give better examples," state that you want to "make examples more detailed and draw from personal experience when developing examples"). Your goals should be meaningful and achievable. Try to find a middle point between extremely lofty and extremely modest goals! List your goals here.

Identify what you will need to do to achieve those goals. Actions may range from reviewing additional resources in the learning modules to seeking assistance from Tutorial Services Center. Describe your planned actions here.

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Section G: Feedback on self-reflection and plan (Professor completes this section.)

Writing strengths

You have accurately identified the strengths evident in your compare and contrast essay.Additional strengths are noted below.

Areas of growth

You have accurately identified areas in which you have grown as a writer.Additional areas of growth are noted below.

Goals

Your goals are meaningful, specific, and measurable.Additional goals are noted below.

Recommended actions

Actions described in plan are appropriate for the stated goals.Review APA style resources.Review grammar and mechanics resources.Schedule conference with professor.Tutorial Services Center visit recommended.Tutorial Services Center visit required.

Additional comments and suggestions

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Sections H and I: Teaching statement concept map and synthesis paper outline feedback (Professor completes these sections) Note that * indicates Proficient characteristics.

Concept map content

* Teaching statement is comprehensively illustrated.Expand to include additional concepts.Content is unclear.

Outline content

* Introduction, thesis, teaching statement, evidence, recommendations, and conclusion are included.One or more sections missing.Additional details needed.

Concept map organization

* Well-organized. Clear relationships.Relationships among concepts unclear.Organization needs work.

Outline organization

* Well-organized. Smooth flow.Review placement of thesis.Organization needs work.

Other comments on concept map Other comments on outline

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Sections J and K: Synthesis paper - draft and final version feedback (Professor completes these sections.)

Audience and purpose - draft

* Paper is written for a scholarly audience.* Paper's purpose is clear.Paper is written in overly casual tone for non-scholarly audience.Paper uses overly technical or specialized language without defining terms.Paper veers from purpose (to use personal experience and research to support a thesis)..

Audience and purpose - final

* Paper is written for a scholarly audience.* Paper's purpose is clear.Paper is written in overly casual tone for non-scholarly audience.Paper uses overly technical or specialized language without defining terms.Paper veers from purpose (to use personal experience and research to support a thesis).

Thesis statement - draft

* Clear, focused, and inviting.Vague or ambiguous. Clarify.Too broad. Work on narrowing.Does not leave room for debate. Work on making it debatable.

Thesis statement - final

* Clear, focused, and inviting.Vague or ambiguous.Too broad.Does not leave room for debate.

Organization - draft

* Contains introduction, body, and conclusion.* Information is well-organized and relevant.One or more parts missing.Organization is confusing or illogical.Irrelevant information is included.

Organization - final

* Contains introduction, body, and conclusion.* Information is well-organized and relevant.One or more parts missing.Organization is confusing or illogical.Irrelevant information is included.

Transitions - draft

* Transitions ease flow of paper.Transitions are missing.Incorrect transitional words/phrases are used.

Transitions - final

* Transitions ease flow of essay.Transitions are missing.Incorrect transitional words/phrases are used.

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Paragraph structure - draft

* Paragraphs are unified, logically organized, and concise.One or more sentences unrelated to the topic of the paragraph.Sentences do not flow in a logical, coherent way.Some wordiness or rambling is present.

Paragraph structure - final

* Paragraphs are unified, logically organized, and concise.One or more sentences unrelated to the topic of the paragraph.Sentences do not flow in a logical, coherent way.Some wordiness or rambling is present.

Language use/wording - draft

* Language is clear and accurate.Incorrect word choice(s) in paper.Awkward phrasing in paper.Overreliance on quotations. Need to paraphrase.

Language use/wording

* Language is clear and accurate.Incorrect word choice(s) in paper.Awkward phrasing in paper.Overreliance on quotations. Need to paraphrase.

Grammar - draft

* No grammatical errors.See checklist below.

Grammar - final

* No grammatical errors.See checklist below.

Mechanics - draft

* No mechanical errors.See checklist below.

Mechanics - final

* No mechanical errors.See checklist below.

In-text citations - draft

* No citation errors.See checklist below.

In-text citations - final

* No citation errors.See checklist below.

References - draft

* No reference errors.See checklist below.

References - final

* No reference errors.See checklist below.

Source material - draft

* Sources are peer-reviewed, relevant, and current.Sources are not peer-reviewed.Sources are not relevant.Sources are not current (most should be <10 years old).

Source material - final

* Sources are peer-reviewed, relevant, and current.Sources are not peer-reviewed.Sources are not relevant.Sources are not current (most should be <10 years old).

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Paper instructions - draft

* All instructions are followed.Page limit not adhered to.Content of essay does not adhere to instructions.Minimum number of references (4)not included.Other deviations from instructions - see comments below.

Paper instructions - final

* All instructions are followed.Page limit not adhered to.Content of essay does not adhere to instructions.Minimum number of references (4)not included.Other deviations from instructions - see comments below.

Paper content - draft

* Introduction is interesting and states thesis.* Teaching statement supports the thesis.* Examples from professional practice are included.* Three articles supporting thesis are summarized and explored.* Fourth article contradicting thesis is summarized and explored.* Research synthesis present.* Evidence-based recommendations present.* Conclusion is thought-provoking and reiterates thesis.One or more elements missing.

Paper content - final

* Introduction is interesting and states thesis.* Teaching statement supports the thesis.* Examples from professional practice are included.* Three articles supporting thesis are summarized and explored.* Fourth article contradicting thesis is summarized and explored.* Research synthesis present.* Evidence-based recommendations present.* Conclusion is thought-provoking and reiterates thesis.One or more elements missing.

Peer review feedback

* Feedback is thoughtful and detailed.Feedback provides specific suggestions.Feedback is limited to praise.Feedback does not provide specific suggestions.

Overall rating on paper - final

ProficientDeveloping and ImprovedNot Improved

Additional comments - draft Additional comments - final

12

Checklist: Review the items checked below, as one or more errors was noted in your paper.

Synthesis paper - draft

Subject - verb agreementPronoun clarityCorrect verb tenseAvoid second person ("you")Parallel constructionComplete sentencesConcise sentencesAvoid contractionsComma after introductory clauseCommas in list of itemsComma before conjunction separating independent clausesOther punctuationUse of ampersand (&) vs. andAuthor last names only in textCitations: Author name and yearCitations: Use of et al.Page number included with quotations (e.g., p. 10)Quotation marks vs. block textReferences: Author name formatReferences: Article title formatReferences: Journal title formatReferences: Volume formatReferences: Book title formatReferences: Page numbers formatRunning head and page number format on title pageRunning head and page number format on subsequent pagesSection headings formatMargins (1 inch)Font (Times New Roman, 12 point)Title at top of p. 2 of paper

Synthesis paper - final

Subject - verb agreementPronoun clarityCorrect verb tenseAvoid second person ("you")Parallel constructionComplete sentencesConcise sentencesAvoid contractionsComma after introductory clauseCommas in list of itemsComma before conjunction separating independent clausesOther punctuationUse of ampersand (&) vs. andAuthor last names only in textCitations: Author name and yearCitations: Use of et al.Page number included with quotations (e.g., p. 10)Quotation marks vs. block textReferences: Author name formatReferences: Article title formatReferences: Journal title formatReferences: Volume formatReferences: Book title formatReferences: Page numbers formatRunning head and page number format on title pageRunning head and page number format on subsequent pagesSection headings formatMargins (1 inch)Font (Times New Roman, 12 point)Title at top of p. 2 of paper

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Section L: Self-reflection and plan (Student completes this section.)

Review the final version of your synthesis paper. Identify three strengths evident in your work and describe them here.

Compare the first draft of your compare and contrast essay to your final synthesis paper. Identify one or two areas in which you have grown as a writer during this course.

Identify up to three areas that you believe need additional work.

Describe what you have learned in this course. Please share anything you have learned about yourself as well!

Describe what you will do to continue working on your scholarly writing and research skills.

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Section M: Post-course self-assessment (Student completes this section.)

For the following items, please select the response that best describes your self-assessment at the end of the course.

Strongly Disagree

Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

I am skilled in using library databases for research.

I am skilled in analyzing research articles.

I am skilled in using APA style.

I am skilled in scholarly writing.

I am skilled in applying the writing process to a variety of writing tasks.

Please briefly describe 1-2 things you found helpful about this course.

Please briefly provide 1-2 suggestions for improving this course.

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Section N: Summative feedback (Professor completes this section.)

Progress - Based on performance on final synthesis paper

ProficientDeveloping and ImprovedNot Improved

Effort - Based on effort criteria stated in syllabus

High effortLow effort

Final grade - Based on Progress and Effort

ABF

Final comments

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