Module 4 Case:

ou will complete a professional development plan. The plan will include an opportunity for self-reflection and the establishment of professional and career goals.

Case Assignment

The Case assignment includes the following components.

1. Current Career Assessment
2. Peak and Valley Moments
3. Self-Assessment
4. Action Steps
5. Professional Development Goals

Current Career Assessment (1 – 2 pages)

It is important to identify any current career issues before you develop your professional development plan. Career issues can range from getting a new job, achieving a job promotion, or taking steps towards a career change. For most, the completion of an advanced degree is a milestone that can lead to new opportunities, so this is an ideal time to reflect on your current job. Here are some questions to consider in your assessment:

1. If you are in a new job, do you need to learn the basics to get up to speed and feel comfortable and productive?
2. If you have been in your job for a while, do you strive to increase your competence or skills?
3. Do you need to improve your performance in certain areas of a current job?
4. Have (or will) your job duties change, requiring you to develop new skills or expertise?

Peak and Valley Moments (1 – 2 pages)

Self-awareness of the elements of your job that either energize you (peak) or drain you (valley), can help you determine career goals. Use the following questions to construct this portion of your paper.

1. What is energizing or satisfying about my current job?
   1. Provide 2 – 3 examples
2. What is draining or unsatisfying about my current job?
   1. Provide 2 – 3 examples

Self-Assessment (1 – 2 pages)

Use the following questions to conduct a self-assessment:

1. Within the field of education, what interests me the most?
2. What are my current skills and strengths for pursuing those interests?
3. What is most important to me in my work?
4. What things are “must haves” for me in a job?
5. What are my limitations?
6. Is it time for me to consider a job or career change?

Action Steps (1/2 page)

Develop a list of steps (categorized as immediate, medium term, or long term) that you will take to move into a new job, or a job promotion, or continue to improve in your current job.

Professional Development Plan (1 page)

Develop your professional development plan (related to a career goal or life-long learning goal). Use the following questions to construct this portion of your paper:

1. What knowledge, skills, or abilities will help me prepare for the next step in my career?
2. What opportunities are available to develop any new expertise or skills?
3. In what areas do my interests, strengths, and personal plans either support or limit my ability for professional development?
4. What networks or professional organizations might help me prepare for the next step in my career?
5. Where do I see myself in 1 year?
6. Where do I see myself in 5 years?

Conclusion (1/2 page)

Provide a brief conclusion on the value of a professional development plan.

Assignment Expectations

MAED Case Grading Rubric

Assignment-Driven Criteria (23 points): Demonstrates mastery covering all key elements of the assignment in a substantive way.

Critical Thinking (9 points): Demonstrates mastery conceptualizing the problem. Viewpoints and assumptions of experts are analyzed, synthesized, and evaluated. Conclusions are logically presented with appropriate rationale.

Scholarly Writing (4 points): Demonstrates mastery and proficiency in scholarly written communication to an appropriately specialized audience.

Quality of References and Assignment Organization (6 points): Demonstrates mastery using relevant and quality sources and uses appropriate, relevant, and compelling content to support ideas, convey understanding of the topic and shape the whole work.

Citing Sources (3 points): Demonstrates mastery using in-text citations of sources and properly format full source information in the reference list (bibliography).

Timeliness (5 points): Assignment submitted on time or collaborated with professor for an approved extension before the module due date.

Module 4 SLP

In the Session Long Project (SLP), the goal is to complete an 7- to 9-page paper on a topic of interest that is directly related to your concentration. There are four components to the SLP, and you will complete one component within each module.

Students are expected to incorporate any instructor feedback into each assignment. Instructor feedback received on your SLP 3 should be incorporated into your SLP.

SLP Assignment

SLP 1 included:

1. Introduction: Identify the Topic (1 page)
2. Statement of the Problem (1/2 page)
3. Guiding Question(s) and Strategy (1 page)
4. Reference List

SLP 2 included:

1. Introduction: Identify the Topic (revised)
2. Statement of the Problem (revised)
3. Guiding Question(s) and Strategy (revised)
4. Literature Review (3 – 4 pages)
5. Reference List (update)

SLP 3 included:

1. Introduction: Identify the Topic (revised)
2. Statement of the Problem (revised
3. Guiding Question(s) and Strategy (revised)
4. Literature Review (1 – 2 additional pages and revisions)
5. Summary of Findings (1/2 page)
6. Reference List (update)

SLP 4 includes:

1. Introduction: Identify the Topic (revised)
2. Statement of the Problem (revised)
3. Guiding Question(s) and Strategy (revised)
4. Literature Review (revised)
5. Summary of Findings (revised)
6. Links to Professional Practice (1 page)
7. Links to Educational Policy (1 page)
8. Conclusion (1/2 page)
9. Reference List (update)

Incorporate any instructor feedback received on SLP 1, SLP 2, and SLP 3 in your SLP 4 assignment.

Add the following components to your paper:

1. Link to Professional Practice
   1. How is your literature review useful in your professional practice or educational setting?
   2. What have you learned?
   3. How can the information be applied to your professional practice as it relates to your concentration?
2. Link to Educational Policy
   1. What educational policy or policy reform might be necessary to address the topic/issue?
   2. What are your recommendations as an educator or educational leader?
3. Conclusion

SLP Assignment Expectations

MAED SLP Grading Rubric

Assignment-Driven Criteria (10 points): Demonstrates mastery covering all key elements of the assignment in a substantive way.

Critical Thinking (6 points): Demonstrates mastery conceptualizing the problem. Viewpoints and assumptions of experts are analyzed, synthesized, and evaluated. Conclusions are logically presented with appropriate rationale.

Scholarly Writing (3 points): Demonstrates mastery and proficiency in scholarly written communication to an appropriately specialized audience.

Quality of References and Assignment Organization (3 points): Demonstrates mastery using relevant and quality sources and uses appropriate, relevant, and compelling content to support ideas, convey understanding of the topic, and shape the whole work.

Citing Sources (3 points): Demonstrates mastery using in-text citations of sources and properly format full source information in the reference list (bibliography).

Timeliness

 (5 points): Assignment submitted on time or collaborated with professor for an approved extension before the module due date.

Module 4 Discussion:

 Within the context of your own field, consider the value of participating in professional organizations. How does participation inform your professional practice or professional development goals? Describe your current membership in professional organizations, or if you plan to join professional organizations in the future. Respond to at least 3 classmates’ posts.