Scope Management For Independent Study Projects

Independent study projects serve as avenues for mature students to participate in detailed study projects on topics of their own interest. These study projects foster student creativity and selfmotivated, autonomous work, which frequently results in a student’s best work. Often, these projects are inter-collegiate competitions, independent research, or a community or business sponsored project. Ultimately, these independent study projects serve as a tool to inspire young students in their chosen profession and strengthen a commitment to lifelong learning. Unfortunately, this opportunity for autonomous, creative, inspired learning may become a source of frustration and disappointment for both the student and faculty advisor. Sources of frustration are many. A likely source is the difference in expectations held by the faculty advisor and student. Faculty advisors and students alike feel additional frustration when a time demanding, quality product is produced, but it isn’t what the faculty advisor really had in mind. Faculty advisors must remember they are working with a student educated usually in a formal classroom environment where expectations are translated in the form of design projects, home works, and exams. Their grade is based on these events. It is universally understood that these graded requirements constitute a contract between professor and student. Typically the student has little input into the contract, but signs his or her name when they sign up for the course. This paper discusses the beneficial elements in a faculty advisor-student contract for independent study projects. A well-defined contract is often the key to a rewarding independent study.