Option 3 : Research Poster Presentation and Supporting Documentation (Winter term only)
Emphasis: Research skills, presentation skills, writing skills, and poster design

Option 3 requirements: You must have both your poster-plan documentation AND your poster presentation accepted to receive credit for this component of GS 902

Presentation Venue: Opportunities and New Directions Conference (OND) organized by CTE.

Option 3 Details:
        Content of the Poster-Plan Supporting Documentation
        Evaluation of the Poster-Plan Supporting Documentation
        Poster Format and Content
        Poster-Presentation Content
        Poster-Presentation Format
        Evaluation of the Poster and the Poster Presentation

Content of the Poster-Plan Supporting Documentation

The supporting documentation should be a maximum of 20 pages, double-spaced (12-point font). It should contain the following six elements:

  1. A one-page abstract for your poster that summarises the introduction, purpose, literature review, application-based discussion, and key findings or conclusions from your research
  2. An annotated version of each key section of your poster to allow the reader to understand the information that will be presented
  3. A full layout of your poster showing the overall poster design and integration of all sections together
  4. An annotated bibliography containing no more than 10 scholarly references; for each source, you should add 3-4 sentences that explain why this source has been useful, and how it has been used in developing your poster
  5. A one-page summary of some points for discussion or areas for further research
  6. Any handouts you will be providing for observers (optional)

This supporting documentation must be submitted to Svitlana Taraban-Gordon in person or by email. All submissions should include your name and department.

Once your submission has been reviewed, you will receive feedback from Svitlana Taraban-Gordon, as well as suggestions for the presentation of your poster.

If revisions are required, they must be received by the deadline specified on the feedback form. Please submit revised documentation along with original documentation. Poster presentations will not be scheduled until the document and/or changes are approved.

Prior to submitting your supporting documentation to CTE for approval, you must submit an abstract to the Opportunities and New Directions Conference (OND), following their rules for abstract submission. On your abstract, you should indicate that this is a CUT required research project. If your abstract is accepted, you will present it on April 26, 2012.

Evaluation of the Poster-Plan Supporting Documentation

CTE staff will use the following heuristic when assessing your Poster-plan supporting documentation. For your documentation to be accepted, the marker should be able to respond positively to all of the questions posed. To decrease the need for a revision, apply this heuristic to your supporting documentation before submitting it:


  • Is the topic focused enough to be covered adequately within the time constraints of the presentation (i.e., time allowed for audience interaction)?
  • Does the poster have an apparent and easy-to-follow structure?
  • Is the poster well designed and visually appealing? >
  • Does the annotated bibliography demonstrate an adequate awareness of the research literature surrounding the topic and refer to about 10 scholarly sources?
  • Are key concepts explained clearly and in sufficient detail, taking into account a general audience (i.e., CUT participants)?
  • Are there opportunities included for discussion with the audience?
  • Are the poster and interaction opportunities sufficiently described and planned (i.e., are appropriate discussion prompts offered)?
  • Are the materials generally free of spelling, typographical, and grammatical errors?


Poster Format and Content

A poster presentation is a graphically oriented summary of your research project. Your poster does not have to be laminated.

Research for your poster should be based on current literature on teaching and learning, and should include sources from the experts in your field of study. Your poster should include the following sections: introduction, purpose, literature review, application-based discussion, and key findings or conclusions from your research. Whenever possible, posters should also include specific examples from your own experiences as an instructor and/or student to illustrate concepts. A good rule-of-thumb to follow is about a two to one ratio of research to original thought.

Visit the following web sites for information on preparing academic posters for tips on designing effective posters, and for proper formatting and layout requirements: http://www.ncsu.edu/project/posters/NewSite/ or http://www.grad.uwaterloo.ca/Conference/posterguidelines.html.

Poster-Presentation Content

You will deliver the poster presentation submitted in your supporting document at the Opportunities and New Directions Conference (OND) held annually in April. Your poster presentation should be based on the final version of these documents that has been approved by Svitlana Taraban-Gordon. Because your audience is likely to have little knowledge about your topic or be unfamiliar with your discipline, you will need to teach them the salient points so they understand the basics of the theory or model being discussed and its possible applications. The poster presentation must also include 10 minutes of discussion as outlined in your supporting documentation.

Poster-Presentation Format

Poster presentations will be 20 minutes in total: a 10-minute formal presentation of the poster with 10 minutes of discussion to follow. A CUT observer will visit your poster, at which time you will begin with your presentation. The observer will show time cards indicating 2 minutes left and time-up. You should not read from a manuscript; rather, you should talk more extemporaneously.

During the 10-minute discussion period you are encouraged to accept questions from your observer and to seek input on your research. Should there not be a full 10 minutes of questions asked by the observer, you should be prepared to prompt a discussion on your research to meet the time requirement.

Evaluation of the Poster and the Poster Presentation

The evaluation criteria are similar for all options. A CUT observer will assess your poster presentation using all Option 1 criteria, with the following additional criteria for Option 3 projects to evaluate your poster and interaction with the observer:

  Delivery

Audience interaction

  Structure

Discussion/areas for future research
Poster layout and content

You will receive a completed evaluation form within one week of your presentation. You do not need to respond in writing to this evaluation, although you are welcome to ask for clarification on any aspect of it. If your poster presentation is accepted, you have completed your research project. Should your poster presentation require revision, you will be instructed to meet with Svitlana Taraban-Gordon to first present your revised poster and/or presentation prior to rescheduling.

Course Details:
         Research Project
              Research Project Topics and Process
              Option 1: Research Presentation and Paper                   
              Option 2: Mini-Workshop and Supporting Documentation
              Scheduling and Format of Oral Components
          Teaching Dossier