Transcript Slide 1

Writing the
Learning Agreement (LA)
Beth Oyler
Writing Center Tutor
Walden University
Goals
• Overview of writing the Learning Agreement
(LA)
• Learn Writing Center resources for writing
your LA
• Find strategies for organizing your
information
• Master LA formatting
• Know common mistakes to avoid
• Questions and Answers
Content
As always, remember to ask your
professors if you have questions
about content.
Your Job as a Scholar
Show that:
1. You know what you’re talking about
2. That it’s true
3. That it matters
4. That will pass the critical read of your
audience
KAMs (and therefore LAs as a preview of the
KAM) are your assignment for doing that.
Defining an LA and KAM
LA:
Contract where you indicate the
subject area objectives (goals),
resources (sources), and
demonstration of mastery for your
KAM.
KAM:
Comprehensive, independent unit of
study in a social science area.
What Is and Why Write an LA?
• The plan you create for a KAM to help you
focus and design your KAM research
• A contract, in that you agree to study the
KAM according to the plan outlined
• It can save you time by allowing your assessor
to give feedback and guidance on the
framework of your study before you fully
invest in researching and writing the KAM.
Basic Components
• Overview of the KAM:
– A summary statement of what you plan to
accomplish in each component of the KAM,
with an indication of how each of the
components is related
• Outlines of the Breadth, Depth, and Application:
– Including:
•The objectives (goals)
•The references
•A demonstration
How Does the LA Work?
You submit the LA to your faculty assessor, who
may or may not have further suggestions or
questions for revision.
By reviewing your LA, the assessor assures you
that your plan for the KAM appears workable,
is sufficiently comprehensive, and meets basic
expectations.
LA Rubric
You can find the
Rubric for Developing and
Evaluating Learning Agreements
on pages 39-41 of the
A Guide to the Knowledge Area Modules:
Making the KAMs Work for You
(available on our website)
How Do You Organize an LA?
• Four distinct sections:
– Overview
•Include 120 words or fewer
– Breadth
– Depth
– Application
• For a more in-depth list, please see this
helpful LA Checklist
Organization
Overview of KAM
Breadth
Breadth Objectives
Breadth References
Breadth Demonstration
Depth
Depth Objectives…
• Please check out the LA template available on
our website for proper formatting
Overview of KAM
(1)The objective of Knowledge Area Module 5 is to acquire
knowledge of leadership theories and recent paradigm shifts to learn how
these are applied in making information technology (IT) outsourcing or insourcing decisions. (2)This will be demonstrated within the
Breadth component as an overview of the historical evolution of
leadership styles, specifically charismatic, situational, and
transactional/transformational. (3)Within the Depth component, an
annotated bibliography critiquing current literature on the application of
situational leadership or transactional/transformational leadership
theories will accompany an essay comparing these styles. (4)The
Application will discuss the relationship between
transactional/transformational leadership style and the current trends in
IT environments. Recommendations will be made on how this style can
be best applied during uncertain times within the IT sector.
Breadth Section
SBSF 8310: Theories of Organizational and Social Systems
Breadth
Breadth Objectives
1. First objective
2. Second ojective
3. Third objective
Breadth References
Hansel, G., & Gretel, D. (1973). Candied houses and unfriendly occupants. Thousand Oaks,
CA: Fairy Tale Publishing.
Smasfaldi, H. (2005). The art of correcting surname mispronunciation. New York, NY:
Supportive Publisher Press. Retrieved from
http://www.onewaytociteelectronicbooksperAPA7.02.com
White, S., & Red, R. (2001). Stop and smell the what now? Floral arranging for beginners
[Adobe Digital Editions version]. doi:10.1295/0192748329
Breadth Demonstration
The Breadth demonstration will be an essay of approximately 30 pages that meets all the
objectives you have outlined above.
Breadth Objectives Example
AMDS 8512: Classical and Emerging Paradigms of
Leadership
Breadth
Breadth Objectives
1. Describe the core leadership styles forming the historical
foundation of leadership study.
2. Analyze the approaches of theorists on the subject of power
of influence such as Bass and Avolio, Burns, Fielder, Hater
and Bass, Hershey and Blanchard, and Weber.
3. Evaluate and correlate leadership styles to IT leader
challenges faced in the past 5 years.
Breadth References Example
Breadth References
Bass, B. M. (1985). Leadership, good, better, best.
Organizational Dynamics, 13(8), 26–40. doi:10.1037/00029432.76.4.482
Fiedler, F. E. (1976). Situational control and a dynamic theory
of leadership. In K. Grint (Ed.), Leadership: Classical,
contemporary, and critical approaches (pp. 126-148). New
York, NY: Oxford University Press Inc.
Hater, J., & Bass, B. M. (1988). Superiors’ evaluations and
subordinates’ perceptions of transformational and
transactional leadership. Journal of Applied Psychology,
73(2), 225-242.
Breadth Demonstration Example
Breadth Demonstration
As a demonstration of obtaining the comprehension of the
selected paradigms, a 25- to 30-page paper will be prepared.
Analysis of the design and results of research related to
situational, transactional, and transformational theories will
also be performed.
Depth and Application
The Depth and Application sections will look
similar, each with a list of objectives,
references, and demonstration.
For more examples, please see our website.
Learning Agreement
Title Page-Identification-KAM
number, title, your name)
Application
Overview
BreadthObjectives
References
Demonstration of Mastery
Depth
Depth
Objectives
References
Demonstration of Mastery
ApplicationObjectives
References
Demonstration of Mastery
Breadth
Three Tiered KAM Model1
1Shepard, M. (2007, May). Mentoring the KAM process. (Available to Walden
Faculty from Walden University). Adapted from slide originally created by Joe
Ann Hinrichs.
LA Formatting
Formatting guidelines may change slightly to
make KAMs and LAs easier to compile, so use
the online versions of the Guidebook and
Template as your sources for information!
Common Things to Check
• Make sure you’re using:
– 12 point, serif font
– 1-inch margins (Times New Roman)
– American English language
– Proper heading formatting
Insight From the KAM Guidebook
While scholarly writing has style conventions,
it does not have to be wordy, stuffy, or
dispassionate. You should avoid colloquialisms
and slang, but do not strive to sound academic.
Sentences should not be long and complex.
Your convictions about what you are writing,
dynamic evidence, and honest voice should not be
lost in tedium. Crispness, curiosity, honesty, and
enthusiasm are ingredients of impassioned
scholarship (p. 36).
Common Tendencies To Avoid
• Students format at the end of the process
• Students don’t keep track of or use Walden
resources as they go along
• Students don’t use information in their LAs in
compiling their KAMs
• Students become overwhelmed by not focusing
on one task at a time
Use Your Resources
•
•
•
•
Writing Center: [email protected]
Library: [email protected]
Student Support Team: [email protected]
Assessors, mentors, and academic community
Use Format Help!
• LA Template:
http://inside.waldenu.edu/c/LATemplate.doc
• KAM Template:
http://inside.waldenu.edu/c/Files/DocsWritingCenter/K
AM_Template1.doc
• MS Word Formatting:
http://inside.waldenu.edu/c/Student_Faculty/StudentF
aculty_12745.htm
• Writing Center MS Word Formatting:
http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/ScholarlyWriting.htm
Helpful Web Sites
• Learning Agreement:
http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/393.htm
• Specific Curriculum Guides:
http://inside.waldenu.edu/c/Student_Faculty/Stu
dentFaculty_941.htm
• KAM Development:
http://inside.waldenu.edu/c/Student_Faculty/Stu
dentFaculty_2491.htm
Writing/Research Resources
• Library Resources: http://library.waldenu.edu
• Webinars:
http://library.waldenu.edu/862.htm#tech
• KAM resources:
http://library.waldenu.edu/856.htm
Questions
[email protected]