MAT Colloquium Showcases Graduates' Classroom Inquiry Capstone Projects

On July 26, members of the Class of 2019 Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) presented their classroom inquiry capstone projects during a public colloquium attended by faculty, fellow students, and family members.

During the daylong colloquium, graduates shared the results of the student teaching action research inquiry investigations they conducted in their field site classrooms this year. The inquiry process spanned winter, spring, and summer quarters. In winter quarter, candidates identified and explored a dilemma of practice they encountered in their work as student teachers in the field. In spring, they constructed a plan and took action to address their dilemmas of practice through a classroom intervention that involved collecting student artifacts and classroom sources of data, then analyzing the evidence collected to gain new insights and strategies for teaching. The presentations in the Capstone Colloquium represented the final step in this process – communicating what they have learned with their professional community of learners, instructors, practicing teachers, family, and friends.

The day was divided between single subject and multiple subject presentations. Presenters had eight minutes to describe the classroom dilemma that emerged in student teaching, the intervention tried with students, what was learned from the process, and future implications for their work.

Fifty-three multiple subject candidates, who trained to teach at the elementary level, presented on topics with the following themes: 

• Developing Strategies to Support Primary Mathematicians and Literacy Scholars
• Building Students Confidence and Collaboration in Multiple Subject Areas
• Fostering Learning By Cultivating a Student-Centered Community
• Creating Strategic Learning Environments to Maximize Student Outcomes
• Creating Productive Learning Environments through Tools and Instructional Resources
• Fostering Student Agency and Maximizing Engagement to Improve Student Learning
• Increasing Engagement to Foster Independence and Improve Student Learning
• Methods for Deepening Student Understanding in Mathematics and English Language Arts

Seventy-four single subject candidates, who received their degree with certification in one of seven disciplines that they plan to teach at the middle or high school level, structured their presentations around their subject areas: Art (5 graduates); English Language Arts (19 graduates); Mathematics (13 graduates); Music (3 graduates); Science (12 graduates); Social Science (17 graduates); and World Languages (5 graduates).

For their classroom teaching experience, candidates had been placed within 14 different school districts through Orange County, with Orange County School of the Arts hosting candidates as well.   

The colloquium, which concluded with a reception for candidates and guests, was supported by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.

MAT Capstone Projects Colloquium Photo Albums

• Multiple Subject Photo Album
• Single Subject Photo Album