Discussion 1:
Preparing for the Future
There are many books, articles, and video about future trends that can be very useful in scenario planning processes and to help you become more aware of the drivers of change now and in the years ahead. For this Discussion, review the Learning Resources and watch at least one TED video that is focused on future trends in any area.
Post by Day 3 an IRA (insights, resource, and application) in the Discussion as follows:
Insights: As you read the Learning Resource and watch the TED video, create bullet points that capture what you have learned about the future trends that were presented. Summarize these key points and insights you gained.
Resource: In addition to the assigned reading, share one other resource that is about the future. This can be a book, article, news items, web site, or video. Cite your resource using APA format, and explain how this resource might be of interest to leaders in the public sector.
Application: Explain what action steps you will take to keep abreast of future trends and how you might use this information personally and professionally.
Support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.
Read a selection of your colleagues' postings.
Respond by Day 5 to at least two colleagues by offering additional suggestions and ideas.
Continue to engage with your colleagues through Day 7 in an academic discussion in which you contribute multiple meaningful, substantive ideas, suggestions and insights on the focus topic. Present your posts and responses in a polished, professional manner with scholarly support.
Discussion 2: Alignment and Social Change
In the context of research, alignment and social change will be important topics to return to as you prepare for the next courses in the research sequence and continue your development as a scholar-practitioner.
Consider, for example, what criteria are used in your discipline to evaluate alignment of research components. And in what way will your future research contribute to your identity as scholar-practitioner who is dedicated to positive social change?
For this Discussion, you will consider criteria for evaluating alignment among the various components of a research study. You will also reflect on your role as a positive social change agent through research.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post an explanation of the criteria you could use to evaluate alignment between data collection methods and other research components, such as the problem, purpose, research questions, and design. Then, reflecting on the course content, discuss the extent to which your newly acquired research knowledge and skills can support your role as an agent of positive social change. Be specific and provide an example(s).
Be sure to support your Main Issue Post and Response Post with reference to the week's Learning Resources and other scholarly evidence in APA Style.
Read a selection of your classmates' postings.
Respond to a classmate by further supporting his or her criteria for evaluating alignment or respectfully offering a differing perspective.