EDUC 1301
Critical Issues in Education Presentation
Program Student Learning Outcome #4: Explore, examine, and evaluate one of the
current issues affecting the field of education today, such as instructional methods, learning,
curriculum, students, teachers, families, administration, school policy, or school law.
Project Description: For this project, you will choose a topic, gather and examine
information on the topic from the library databases or other credible academic sources, and
create a media presentation that would be intended for an audience of teachers and/or
parents, and/or a community group. Your topic may be any current educational issue, framed
as a thesis question or guiding statement. For example:
What is differentiated instruction, and why does it matter?
How does high-stakes testing impact teaching and learning?
Where are the most prominent achievement gaps, and how are they being addressed?
These and numerous other questions are among those that challenge educators, parents,
students, lawmakers, and any who have a stake in how American schools function. This
project will provide you with an opportunity to explore one of the issues affecting education
today.
Project Directions:
I. Choose a current topic affecting the field of education. Some suggestions are listed
below, but there are other topics presented in your textbook. IF you choose a topic
not listed below then the topic you select must be approved by your instructor.
Each student must choose a different topic. If you are unsure whether a topic is
appropriate for this project, discuss it with your instructor.
• Alternative Teacher
Preparation Programs
• Anti-Testing Movement
• Best Practices in Teaching
and Learning
• Bilingual Education
• Character Education
• Closing the Achievement
Gaps
• Culturally Responsive
Teaching
• Differentiated Instruction
• Diversity Among Students
• Dropout
• Early Literacy
• Educating the Whole Child
• Four-Day School Week
• High-Stakes Testing
• Home Schooling
• Low-performing Schools
• Parent Involvement
• Rural Education
• School Readiness
• School Safety
• Social Promotion
• Virtual Schools
II. Gather sources and read about your topic. Select at least three different,
credible sources. The sources may include journal articles, books, textbooks,
websites, or a personal interview with a stakeholder (teacher, administrator,
parent, student, etc.). Use the SFA library databases and other credible sites. If
unsure whether a site is allowable, review the course information and check with
your instructor. However, no more than two of your sources may be websites. You
will need to cite the sources in your presentation, both on the individual slides
where the information is used, as well as in the reference slide. Another good
source is: https://www.questia.com/library/education/current-issues-in-education
III. Explain, examine, and illustrate the issue you have selected. In a PowerPoint
clearly present four main points that you have discovered from your sources. In
selecting main points, consider the following:
• What stood out to you most as you read about your issue?
• What would you like your audience to know about the issue?
• Are there any misconceptions regarding the issue that you might clarify?
• What are some of the opposing viewpoints related to the issue, if any?
• How will addressing the issue make a positive difference in education?
Make sure your thesis question or guiding statement is clearly
addressed in your main points. The main points should be written in your
voice for the most part, rather than entirely quoted portions. For each main point,
include a few supporting details, such as facts, statistics, quotes, examples,
opposing viewpoints, or other information to illustrate your topic. If you use
selected quotes for some of your supporting details, clearly identify the material as
quoted. Clearly distinguish your main points from your supporting information.
Include visual images to support your points. Images may be photos, graphs, tables,
figures, and/or illustrations. Use the directions and rubric to guide your
work in creating the slides.
IV. Include a “Call to Action” in your presentation. Think of how you might
“challenge” your audience to take steps toward addressing or solving the issue. The
challenge could be presented as thought-provoking questions or suggestions (e.g.,
suggestions for parents of dropouts). Appeal to the audience with your
challenge(s).
V. Create a PowerPoint presentation that summarizes the information you have
gathered and examined. Utilizing screencastomatic.com record your presentation.
Follow the guidelines and tips below:
• Begin with a Title slide. Include the issue (topic), your name, course number,
and semester.
• Present the information in a clear and logical sequence.
• Create at least 10 slides, but no more than 12 (including the title and reference
slides). Sufficiently explain/present the issue in four main points, each with
supporting details.
• Include facts, statistics, quotes, or other supporting details to highlight your
main points.
• Avoid typing or placing too much text on each slide. “Less is often more.”
• Include visual images to support your points (see Part III above).
• Include a “Call to Action” for potential audience members (see Part IV above).
• End with a Reference slide that includes all of your sources, formatted in APA
style.
• Your screencast recording should not be longer than 12 minutes.