Making Our Pitch: Engaging EdD Students' Workplace Supervisors in Developing a Dissertation in Practice

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: Supporting Educational Leadership Students' Academic and Social-Emotional Well-Being

Abstract

This session describes the incorporation of a pitch presentation early in an EdD program for students to develop a potential dissertation in practice (DiP) topic that has the support of their workplace supervisor. Following a series of assignments to identify and refine a topic for their DiP study, 20 participating EdD students pitched their study idea to their classmates, program faculty and their workplace supervisors. Feedback was provided to the students and adjustments made to their intended study accordingly. Through analysis of open-ended surveys, participants reported having increased clarity and organization around their FoP. Higher motivation was also indicated due to the support and advice of the workplace supervisor relative to their intended study.

Authors

• Travis Lewis, East Carolina University

• Heidi Puckett, East Carolina University

• David Siegel, East Carolina University