This document is designed to help a career and technical educator develop a proposal that will earn college credit through an independent study course. Below are reasons for an attendee to take part in such a course and a framework for the attendee to use to gain approval through a college or university. Please keep in mind that this is only a suggested framework, which may not be acceptable at all institutions.
Reasons to take part in an independent study course:
- Attending a national conference such as the ACTE Annual Convention is an important professional development activity. Receiving independent study credit would involve supplementing attendance by developing reports on the sessions attended and knowledge gained, as well as implementation of what was learned in the participant’s work role. These activities will increase the value of the learning experience for both the individual and the employing agency.
- Participation in a series of planned educational experiences will help to develop future professional leaders by using the ACTE convention a part of the higher education process.
- Planning an independent study in advance will give the attendee the opportunity to know before the conference what is required in order to receive credit for participation.
- Career and technical educators can select a higher education institution in which they are already enrolled or that is in their area or state. This will eliminate problems such as transfer of courses and out-of-state tuition charges.
Steps to submit a proposal for an independent study course:
- Check with your faculty advisor or the department chair to see if an independent study is acceptable as part of your program.
- Review the current list of courses offered by your college or university to see if there is a course that fits this purpose.
- Develop a proposal including items such as those listed below and submit it to your advisor for discussion and approval. The proposal should include what you hope to learn, how the independent study would supplement other coursework, and the activities you will complete.
Framework for Proposal
- Indicate how much credit you want to receive and how many hours you will invest.
- Identify a clear title for your independent study.
- Develop objectives for your study that relate to what you want to learn and are realistic for the number of hours in which you are enrolling.
- Describe activities and assignments that will meet your objectives.
- Propose how your grade would be determined, unless independent studies are offered on a pass/fail basis only.
Examples of Independent Study Courses
The following are just examples of independent study course. Individuals receiving the credit may have various ideas about what activities would be most useful and professors may have different expectations or suggestions for outcomes to be evaluated. These examples may be helpful in providing a starting point.
Trends and Practices in Career and Technical Education
One
This independent study will allow me to gain knowledge of the latest trends and classroom practices in career and technical education. By attending the 2004 ACTE Convention December 9-11, I will learn broad themes from general session speakers, get detailed information on innovative practices and ideas through numerous breakouts, see the latest resources and equipment at the trade show, and network with professionals from around the country. After the convention I will prepare a summary of my experiences, including information on how I can implement new practices as a professional. Evaluation will be based on attendance and the written reports of activities.
- Gain knowledge of new and developing ideas and practices in career and technical education.
- Explore ways to use new information in classroom settings.
- Attend the Annual Convention of the Association for Career and Technical Education, December 9-11, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Prepare a written summary of experiences at convention, including a description of sessions attended, knowledge gained, and how new ideas will be used in practice.
- Course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
- Proof of convention attendance and summary will be turned in to supervising professor within 3 weeks of convention.
Trends and Practices in Career and Technical Education
Three
This independent study will allow me to gain knowledge of the latest trends and classroom practices in career and technical education. By attending the 2004 ACTE Convention December 9-11, I will learn about broad themes from general session speakers, get detailed information on innovative practices and ideas through numerous breakouts, see the latest resources and equipment at the trade show, and network with professionals from around the country. After the convention I will prepare a summary of my experiences, and look more in depth at ideas from the convention. Evaluation will be based on attendance and the completion of activities.
- Gain knowledge of new and developing ideas and practices in career and technical education.
- Examine new resources, products, and equipment now available for career and technical education programs.
- Explore ways to use new information in classroom settings.
- Exchange ideas through networking with other professionals.
- Attend the Annual Convention of the Association for Career and Technical Education, December 9-11, in Las Vegas.
- Prepare a written summary of experiences at convention, including a description of sessions attended, knowledge gained, and how new ideas will be used in practice.
- Read Millennials in the Workplace by Neil Howe, Convention General Session speaker, and prepare a plan for incorporating his ideas about the Millennial generation into my classroom.
- Tour the Career Tech Expo while at the Convention, complete the Expo Passport, attend at least one exhibitor workshop, and contact one exhibitor after the show to order products or find out more information about available resources.
- Exchange contact information and lesson plan or classroom management ideas with at least 5 people I meet at convention. After returning home, follow up with at least one of them to get further details.
- Course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
- Proof of convention attendance and written materials showing the completion of other activities will be submitted to the professor within one month of convention attendance.
