In our research and work with capstone staff in higher education institutions there were common questions asked by staff who were new to designing capstones, arising from some of the less familiar capstone concepts. Many of these topics are not unique to capstones, but as with the institutional guidelines have heightened importance in the capstone […]
As part of the fellowship program, we have been gathering data on the nature of capstone curriculum in practice. The findings from this work and the literature have provided us with a comprehensive picture of the unique nature of capstones. As we know, capstones are extraordinarily diverse. We have also found that they almost ubiquitously […]
by Susan Jones When I was a student, in the 70’s, my lecturers, all products of the British university system, used to terrify us with tales of their ‘finals’ – in which they were expected to answer long essay-type questions that could address any aspect of their disciplinary area – which they may or may […]
Capstones, as the culminating experiences for a course or program, serve a long list of functions. They provide students with the context in which they will integrate and apply prior learning, provide depth and complexity, engender independence and confidence, orient and transition to post graduate life. They are special, significant, challenging and exciting; celebratory achievements. […]
The capstone, traditionally, was a stone placed at the top of a pyramid or building, both signifying its completion and as protection for the walls below. Capstones were often considered the most important part of the building, and elaborately decorated to signify the culmination of the achievement. Similarly, in education capstones are culminating curriculum experiences […]
Higher education contains two critical transition points for students: the first year of their experience or ‘transition-in’ (whether that be in the first year of a course or their first experience) and the final year of their program, or ‘transition-out’ (Webb, 2012). Over the past decade, much effort has been expended to systematically improve the […]
By Marcus Powe, RMIT University Last century, yes the 1980’s, capstones were alive and well and were designed to do one thing, to really see if a graduating student could “do it”. This radical approach shook the foundations of the university as the teacher/lecturer not only had to have intellectual mastery of the research and […]
by Dr Ken Robinson, MAPS Capstone unit coordinator in psychology, Edith Cowan University, WA If your university is anything like mine, then there is a lot of talk about getting graduates job ready. Many recall wryly the article by Atkins (1999) when he referred to graduates being “oven-ready and self-basting”, and since that time much […]