California State University, Sacramento EDC 505: Seminar in Preparation of Thesis or Project COURSE DESCRIPTION: This seminar is designed to extend reseaarch knowledge. Provides direction, library/professional counseling resources, exposure to sample theses/projects using APA style. Reviews research methodology and a review of the literature from the counseling perspective. PREREQUISITES: ED 250 (not to be taken concurrently) and completion of Advancement to Candidacy. Graded CR/NC. 3 units.  This course will meet for the first two weeks as a group. Thereafter, students will work individually with the professor, and via on-line learning. Benefits on Online Learning Flexible Scheduling: Students generally work full-time, many have family responsibilities, and many live a distance from campus. Being able to complete selected course units from home or work without attending weekly classes should be a major convenience. Enhanced Learning: Time saved traveling to and from campus (and looking for parking) can be redirected to learning! Adult Learners: As highly motivated learners, students can actively pursue areas of greatest interest rather than sit through lectures aimed at the whole group. Increased Interaction with Classmates: Web-based communication tools can actually increase interaction among students by permitting group work that would be difficult to arrange if students had to meet in the same place at the same time. Virtual Office Hours: Electronic communication between students and the instructor can actually increase the degree of our interaction, since you can e-mail me at your convenience, rather than find time to get to my office or reach me by phone. The Web's the Limit (not the instructor): The World Wide Web has a wealth of resources from which you can learn a great deal more than I can teach you. Everywhere, the role of the faculty is being reconceptualized as that of "coach" rather than "instructor". Students are perfectly suited to take advantage of coaching to get out of the course what will be of most value to them. Electronic Competency on the Job: The competence in dealing with electronic environments that you develop in this course will be of great value to you in your workplace.   Technology Requirements Students will need an electronic mail account and computer access to the Web. All CSUS students enrolled in one or more units can create a SacLink account for electronic mail and Internet services. Although a home computer with a high speed modem running Netscape or Internet Explorer would be beneficial, students can use the Web from one of the campus student labs. Computing Recommendations  Pentium PC running Windows 95 or higher, Windows NT, or Macintosh compatible with System 7.1 or higher. 16M RAM (preferably 32M) 19.6K or faster modem - preferably 28.8K Microsoft Internet Explorer or NetScape 3.0 (or higher) SacLink or other Internet Account Word processing skills   Successful Student Charcteristics Discipline to complete projects by deadlines instead of waiting until the end of the semester. Motivation to read, write, and particpate fully in class activities. Time to devote approximately 9 hours a week to a 3-credit course. Ability to work independently and in teams. Flexibility in dealing with technology problems.    Instructor www.csus.edu/indiv/h/halbrookbWeb page halbrookb@csus.edu e-mail INSTRUCTOR / RESOURCES / SYLLABUS DEPARTMENT / CSUS Page updated: June 30, 1999