This document discusses capstone experiences as a high-impact educational practice. It provides an overview of what capstone projects entail, including research papers, performances, or portfolios that integrate and apply what students have learned. Capstones are offered both within departments and in general education. The benefits of capstones are highlighted as increasing confidence, developing skills, and preparing students for graduation. Honors College students at UNT can complete an honors thesis as their capstone course. References on capstone experiences are also provided.
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Capstone Experience Capstone Research Project
1. CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE
CAPSTONE RESEARCH PROJECT
Greg Hardin
Library Learning Services and/or
Undergraduate Student Engagement & Research
Department Retreat Thursday, August 10, 2023
3. CAPSTONE
Whether theyre called senior capstones or some other name, these
culminating experiences require students nearing the end of their
college years to create a project of some sort that integrates and
applies what theyve learned. The project might be a research paper, a
performance, a portfolio of best work, or an exhibit of artwork.
Capstones are offered both in departmental programs and,
increasingly, in general education as well.
https://www.aacu.org/trending-topics/high-impact
4. CAPSTONE COURSES
AND PROJECTS
Capstone
Courses
and
Projects
Research
Paper / Major
Project
Course
Internship or
Field Program
Portfolio
Building
Course
Group Project
Course
Kuh, G. D. 2008. High-impact practices: What they are, who has access to them, and why
they matter. Washington, DC: Association of American Colleges and Universities.
5. CAPSTONE
WHAT MAKES IT A HIGH IMPACT PRACTICE?
Performance expectations set at appropriately high levels.
Significant investment of concentrated effort by students over an
extended period of time.
Interactions with faculty and peers about substantive matters.
Experiences with diversity; wherein students are exposed to and must contend
with people and circumstances that differ from those with which the students are
familiar.
Opportunities to discover relevance of learning to real-world applications.
Public demonstration of competence.
Periodic, structured opportunities to reflect and integrate learning.
https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/resources/capstone-experiences/
6. BENEFITS OF A CAPSTONE COURSE
Increases Confidence
Develops Skills
Prepares for Graduation
Builds Resume
7. HONORS COLLEGE CAPSTONE THESIS
Honors College Capstone Thesis, 4951, allows a student in the
Honors College to complete an honors thesis as a course within the
students major. The Honors College Capstone Thesis is a major
research project prepared by the student with the mentorship of a
faculty member in the students major department. An oral defense
is required for successful completion of the thesis.
UG Catalog Academics Section: http://catalog.unt.edu/content.php?catoid=32&navoid=3551
8. UNT ALL UG COURSES
MyUNT
https://my.unt.edu/psc/ps/EMPLOYEE/SA/c/NUI_FRAMEWORK.PT_LANDINGPAGE.GBL
9. UNT FALL 20223 UG COURSES
MyUNT
https://my.unt.edu/psc/ps/EMPLOYEE/SA/c/NUI_FRAMEWORK.PT_LANDINGPAGE.GBL
11. CAPSTONE TO THINK ABOUT
Does your subject area / department have a capstone?
The capstone is a culmination of an academic career
bringing together the students previous learning, projects,
and experience.
Think scaffolding across the students academic
experience and how the information literacy framework
can be interwoven throughout.
What ways can you participate, instruct, or help faculty
and students not only with capstones but in all steps along
the way towards the capstone?
12. REFERENCES
Elon University. Center for Engaged Learning. Bibliography Category: Capstone Experiences
https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/bibliography/category/capstone-experiences/
(Twenty-six references in this annotated bibliography)
Ketcham, Caroline J., Anthony G. Weaver, Jessie L. Moore, and Peter Felten. Living Up to the
Capstone Promise: Improving Quality, Equity, and Outcomes in Culminating Experiences. In
(2022) Promise of High Impact Practices, edited by John Zilvinskis, Jillian Kinzie, Jerry Daday, Ken
ODonnell, and Carleen Vande Zande. Stylus Publishing.
https://discover.library.unt.edu/catalog/b7530065
Kirkscey, R., Vale, J., Weiss, J. M., & Hill, J. (2021). Capstone Experience Purposes: An International,
Multidisciplinary Study. Teaching & Learning Inquiry, 9(2), 121. https://doi-
org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/10.20343/teachlearninqu.9.2.19
Kuh G. D. Schneider C. G. & Association of American Colleges and Universities. (2008). High-impact
educational practices : what they are who has access to them and why they matter. Association of
American Colleges and Universities.