Individually, you will write a 1,200 to 1,500 word essay describing, analyzing, and interrogating one aspect of teaching, learning, and education in 2030.
I choose 2030 because it is the near-future. It allows time for many aspects of education (whether formal or informal; k-12, higher ed, or corporate; etc) to change, while ensuring that we’re not *that* far into the future as to imagine that technology will replace us or circumvent all of our systems. In so doing, my goal is to help you imagine futures that are possible, futures that we should be striving for or futures that we should resist. In other words, your essay does not need to be optimistic, though it certainly can be if that’s what you would like to write about, but it could also be pessimistic if you believe that such a narrative may help us avoid certain futures.
In imagining and writing about this future, your writing should be informed by the broader literature. You have lots of flexibility to write about very many things, but your writing should connect to the literature and to readings that we have either engaged with; that you have read in previous courses, or readings you identify yourself (e.g.,informed by the history of the field, by current geopolitical tensions, by potential/current technologies, etc). Toward this end, your paper should cite at least 7 scholarly sources (i.e. peer-reviewed papers, books, scholarly reports).
This assignment aims to help you develop your research skills including identifying, organizing, analyzing, critiquing, and synthesizing literature.
I recommend following the process get you started:
- Complete the readings for unit 3.
- Search the literature for areas of interest and skim some of the readings you identified.
- Complete activity #6
- Go back and do a more thorough search and reading of literature. Tip: you can use the references in the articles you think are relevant to potentially source other articles and/or search authors on ReseachGate to see what they have currently written.
- Identify a few (more than 2) papers that are the most relevant to your topic
- Read and reread your papers. Re-arange them. Reread them. Do they point to particular futures? Do they reveal commonalities or differences that you can exploit?
A gentle reminder that as with all LRNT courses, you are expected to incorporate APA standards for citations, formatting, and references and to back up your writing with evidence and appropriate academic literature as necessary. You are required to pay attention to grammar and clarity and to avoid colloquialisms. References are not included in the assignment word count. Also, don’t forget the numerous resources available to you as you build your competence and fluency with APA formatting and writing style. In particular, check out the RRU APA 7 formatting checklists as well as RRU WriteAnswers where you can ask your APA questions.
Value: 35%
Submission
Submit your essay to the Assignment 3: Speculative Futures Essay (Individual) dropbox in Moodle, and post it on your blog.
Rubric
The assignment will be evaluated according to the following rubric.
| Assessment Criteria | Excellent | Proficient | Satisfactory | Unsatisfactory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citation and APA format | All citations and APA format are correct. | Most citations and APA formatting are correct. | Some citations and APA formatting are correct. | Few citations and APA formatting are correct. |
| Style, Grammar, Spelling | All aspects of grammar and spelling are correct. | Most aspects of grammar and spelling are correct. | Some aspects of grammar and spelling are correct. | Significant spelling and grammar errors. |
| Evaluative orientation | Essay shows exhaustive, thoughtful, and meaningful connections between sources. | Essay shows some thoughtful and meaningful connections between sources. | Essay shows some thoughtful and meaningful connections between sources, but it is mostly descriptive rather than analytical. | Essay lacks thoughtful and meaningful connections between sources. |
| Organisation and flow | Essay flows seamlessly. The document is is clearly structured and is well organized to support understanding and follow main points and sequence of ideas. | Essay flows seamlessly with minor interruptions. The document is structured and organized to support understanding and follow main points and sequence of ideas. | Essay flow is somewhat choppy and impedes understanding. Organization is somewhat evident and could use improvement. Occasional missing sections or awkward transitions are present. | Essay is poorly organized in multiple ways and inhibits reader to such an extent that the structure significantly detracts from the thesis. |
| Content and Analysis | Essay is thoughtful and demonstrates excellent development of each idea, focusing on relevant details and connection to pertinent sources. Most statements are backed by evidence and information is discussed, not just stated. | Essay is thoughtful and demonstrates good development of each idea, focusing on some relevant details and connection to pertinent sources. Many statements are backed by evidence and information is discussed, not just stated. | Essay is thoughtful, and demonstrates some development of each idea, demonstrating some connection to pertinent sources. Many statements are backed by evidence and information is often stated but not unpacked. discussed, not just stated. | Essay needs more details on every level, and lacks thoughtfulness and development. Many statements are not supported by evidence. |
| Creativity | Essay is original, unique, and engaging. | Essay includes elements of originality and uniqueness, and is engaging. | Essay is mostly original. | Essay fails to engage the reader, is unoriginal, and is uninviting. |