19
IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

IQP AdvisingStrategies, Tips, and Tools

Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz

IQP Advising Workshop

February 26, 2004

Page 2: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

OverviewOverview

Setting expectations and ground rules Framing the project Responding to student work Motivation and process Grading and evaluation Resources

Page 3: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

Setting Expectations Setting Expectations

What are the educational outcomes? What are the roles of advisors? What are the roles of students? What are the advisors’ expectations?– Process– Products

What are the grading criteria?

Page 4: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

Example ExpectationsExample Expectations

Have clearly stated, achievable goals. Strive to achieve balance between the technical and social/humanistic aspects of the project topic.

Achieve the goals. Demonstrate knowledge of the relevant literature; evaluate this material critically and apply it appropriately to the project work.

Take initiative: students should make the project their own, and pursue its completion independently.

Design and apply appropriate methodologies to achieve the goal.

Page 5: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

Example Expectations, cont’dExample Expectations, cont’d

Fulfill responsibilities to partners, sponsors, advisors, and other students.

Analyze the data or information collected in an appropriate fashion.

Effectively document and report information about the project, in written and oral form.

Be flexible, and take adversity in stride. Grow and learn. Have some fun doing the project!

Page 6: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

Example of Grading CriteriaExample of Grading Criteria A: Consistently excellent effort,

meeting or exceeding project goals. B: Consistently good effort, meeting

project goals. C: Acceptable effort, partially meeting

project goals. NR: Effort insufficient for registered

credit. NAC: Unacceptable performance.

Page 7: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

Setting Ground RulesSetting Ground Rules

Meetings—when, who, where, why Agendas, minutes, progress reports Modes of communication Level and evidence of effort Timeline (long term) Deadlines (short term) Types and frequency of feedback

Page 8: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

A Typical Project Timeline?A Typical Project Timeline? A term

– Formulate goals and objectives– Complete background research– Develop a written proposal

B term – Gather information and resources– Collect and analyze data– Keep writing

C term– Develop conclusions/recommendations– Achieve goals/create deliverables– Finish report, present work

Page 9: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

Framing the ProjectFraming the Project

WPI students are task-oriented—the challenge is to get them thinking!

What problem is being addressed? What goals are appropriate? What are the key research questions? What background knowledge is

needed? What methods are appropriate?

Page 10: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

Framing the Project: An ExampleFraming the Project: An Example

Problem statement and context– Need for more awareness of alternative

energy at WPI and elsewhere– Previous project has identified resources

for, and feasibility of a solar installation Goal – Implement the solar installation; make it

sustainable; recommend ways to use it for education and outreach

Page 11: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

Framing the Project: An Example Framing the Project: An Example Research questions:

– What is involved in the installation?– What is needed to sustain the installation? – Who are the key stakeholders, and what are their

interests and perspectives?– What can be learned from other such efforts?– How should this be used for education and

outreach? Background needed:

– Issues surrounding alternative energy– Solar power and solar PV installations– K-12 science education standards and programs– Promotion and marketing of alternative energy

Page 12: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

Responding to Student WorkResponding to Student Work

Written drafts– Consider weekly written submissions– Focus initially on formulation of concepts– Respond to arguments, evidence, storyline– Help students develop a “research voice”

Meetings and progress– Let them know how they’re doing– Balance challenge and encouragement– Be alert to signs of dysfunction!

Page 13: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

Hand off!Hand off!

Page 14: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

MotivationMotivation

Huh? Who cares?

Page 15: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

MotivationMotivation

Huh? Who cares? The project

environment often inspires.

Students are part of a project center’s success.

Page 16: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

MotivationMotivation

Can you create it?– Students have to have it.

Can you destroy it?– Or maintain it.

Page 17: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

Diagnosing/Addressing ProblemsDiagnosing/Addressing Problems Manage Progress – in small steps– Negotiate short-term deadlines– Weekly accountability/feedback

Teamwork and conflicts– Open the door/Be trustworthy– Discuss issues and strategies/contracts– Invite students to evaluate each other– Refer students to resources

Communication– Consider new ground rules– Try to get at root cause of problems

Page 18: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

Grading and EvaluationGrading and Evaluation

Goal: a grade that’s not a surprise Key: honest, regular feedback Share grading guidelines and

expectations Grade on the prosecution of the project

not just the final report.– Grade by 1/3rd unit and/or by student

Maintain standards of excellence

Page 19: IQP Advising Strategies, Tips, and Tools Kent Rissmiller and Rick Vaz IQP Advising Workshop February 26, 2004

Some ResourcesSome Resources Your colleagues Previous projects (library, on-line) Various advising tools and examples– Expectations – Teamwork – Writing – Feedback – Grading

http://ece.wpi.edu/~vaz/projects