Final Paper- goodwriter

The final project for this course is the creation of a conceptual model for an integrated afterschool childhood prevention, education, or intervention program (Boys and Girls Club, for example). The program serves a wide range of age groups (ages 4 through 17) and demographic backgrounds. Students should design a program that can appropriately address the needs of the various learners. This final project should include a program foundation, program description, research proposal, and self-reflection.

The final product represents an authentic demonstration of competency because it requires students to apply classic theory in order to compose an original program based on advanced developmental principles. The project is divided into four milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Three, Five, Seven, and Ten.

Main Elements

1.     Program Foundation: a narrative/essay format that will describe the main concept of the program (prevention, education, intervention) and if the program will focus on a specific topic (math, English, drugs, bullying, coping skills for stress or anxiety, peer pressure, or your choice). This foundational narrative will provide citations that link the program concept to at least two of the classical theories presented in this course (Montessori, Piaget, Vygotsky, Bandura, Bronfenbrenner). (approximately 3–4 pages)

·       What type of program will be the focus of this project? Will it be a prevention program to stop kids from using alcohol and drugs? To try and prevent bullying? Will the program be an educational model, for example, a program focused on improving educational outcomes like math, critical thinking, problem solving, science, language skills, or other? Will the program be an intervention model or a program that targets kids for problematic behaviors like truancy, acting out in class, running away, vandalism, minor theft, or underage possession of alcohol or substances?

·       Consider the critical tasks of development as laid out by the chosen theory that may help organize the approaches utilized for each age group.

2.     Program Description: This section will provide specific descriptions of the elements (tasks, materials, activities) for the each developmental level spanning the age ranges from 4 through 17. These levels should be consistent with at least one of the two classical theories proposed in your program foundation narrative. (approximately 3–4 pages)

·       In what setting will this program be offered, for example, school setting, community center, treatment center, or a faith-based organization?

·       How will your topic differ across each developmental level?

·       How will you describe the activities, materials, and tasks that will take place in the program for each age range?

·       Are the age ranges consistent with at least one of the classic theories employed to guide this project?

·       How are the activities, materials, and tasks connected to or associated with the classic theories chosen for the project?

3.     Research Proposal: Students will propose a research approach/structure in order to assess the effectiveness of the program. (approximately 2–3 pages)

·       What will be measured at each level of the program?

·       How will you collect the data? Will it be qualitative, quantitative, or both?

·       Will you utilize a pre-test and post-test measure? Multiple points of measurement? A single point of data collection at the end of the program?

·       Who will be responsible for collecting the data?

·       What level of significance would you employ in order to demonstrate the power of your results?

4.     Self-Reflection: Students will provide a self-reflection that addresses what was learned from the process of doing this project and a general assessment of how realistic the implementation of the program and research is from their perspective. (approximately 2–3 pages)

·       In regard to the classic theories chosen to support this project, what did you learn while completing this project? Is there a concept that became more clear, or that you found surprising, in your attempt to utilize a particular model? Given that the program is focused on children and adolescents growing up in the current era, did you find the theories restrictive? Did they enhance the efforts? Did completing this project make the strengths or weaknesses of the chosen theories more evident?

·       Is the proposed program realistic for implementation? Does the program meet a need in the current context? What challenges might one face in attempting to implement this program? What are the program strengths and weaknesses?

·       What was learned in regard to programming through completing this task?

Milestones

Milestone One: Program Proposal

In task 3-2, you will submit your program proposal. This milestone should be in short paper format, and APA style and format are required. Students will submit a one-page proposal that outlines the type of program selected (prevention, education, or intervention); the subject of that program (math, critical thinking, problem solving, science, language skills, behavior, or other); and the two classic theories that will be utilized to support and guide the program development. This should include a clear statement as to why the chosen theories fit the program type and subject, and it should include at least two original references that support your proposal and theory choices. This milestone will be graded using the Program Proposal Rubric.

Milestone Two: Annotated Bibliography

In task 5-2, you will submit an annotated bibliography. The format should be APA style for an annotated bibliography. A minimum of six original references published within the last five years will be expected in this assignment (NOTE: A reference to the classical theories may be added in addition to the six original references for historical reference outside of the five-year requirement). Each annotation should provide a detailed review of the content of the reference that will be relevant to the proposed program project. At least one reference should support each classic theory chosen for the project and support the type of program chosen. A minimum of two references should be offered to support the subject chosen for the focus of the program. This milestone will be graded using the Annotated Bibliography Rubric.

Milestone Three: Program Presentation

In task 7-2, you will submit a program presentation. This assignment will focus on a PowerPoint, Prezi, or an alternative presentation format/software in order to share an overview of the program for review by peers and the instructor. Students will be required to view and provide supportive feedback to a minimum of three of their peers’ presentations. The presentation should include:

• Basic Program Description
• Setting and Subject Information
• Brief overview of the differentiation by age or developmental stage
• Brief accounting of the influence of each chose theory

Students will offer supportive feedback in the form of questions regarding the specific aspects the program, offer ideas on connecting theories, and process ideas for assessment and research of the programs. This milestone will be graded using the Program Presentation Rubric.

Milestone Four: Final Program

In task 10-2, you will submit your final program project. This submission will be a 10–15-page paper in APA style. This final project should include all of the items and points described in the Main Elements section of this document. This milestone will be graded using the Final Product Rubric (below).

Deliverable Milestones

Rubric

Requirements of submission: Written components of projects must follow these formatting guidelines when applicable: double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and discipline-appropriate citations. Paper will be 10–15 pages distributed as referenced in the Main Elements for this project, not including title page or references.