Where I've Been and Where I'm

Going: An Epistemological Journey in

the Ed.D. Program
Presentation of Qualifying
Assessment by Harley D. Walden
October 7, 2015

nderpinnings: Introductio
Epistemological questions are the perfect framework for exploring my
journey in the Ed. D. degree program in Curriculum & Instruction.

Student
Coursework

Educator
Collaboratio
n

Portfolio
Projects

Researc
her

Writer

Scholar

pistemological Question
Question 1: (Coursework) What does it mean to take a curricular
focused approach to school case studies and how do historical
approaches bear on the pedagogical concerns I have about
education, as it relates to educational theories of action in
Appalachia and beyond?
Question 2: (Collaboration) What are the different roles and
meanings of collaboration between and among faculty and
students in this Ed.D. program and how do these relate to my
own understanding of collaboration as I go forward in my
studies?
Question 3: (Scholarship) What does it mean to take a curricular
focused approach to school case studies?
Question 4: (Research) What are the different roles of education
in Appalachia and what does it mean to be educated here?

(Coursework) What does it mean to take a curricular

focused approach to school case studies and how do
historical approaches bear on the pedagogical
concerns I have about education, as it relates to
educational theories of action in Appalachia and
beyond?

615: History of Education in the United States (Spring 2014) w/Dr. Elizabeth Cam

provided me with strong knowledge base for the history of education.

02: Curriculum Theory (Summer 2014) w/Dr. Elizabeth Campbell

helped frame my personal worldview of curriculum.

625: Qualitative Research (Fall 2014) w/Dr. Linda Spatig

provided me with opportunity to conduct a qualitative research project.

(Collaboration) What are the different roles and meanings of

collaboration between and among faculty and students in this
Ed.D. program and how do these relate to my own
understanding of collaboration as I go forward in my studies?

Co-teaching
In collaboration with Dr. Elizabeth Campbell, I co-taught CI 677:
Writing for Publication during the 2015 Spring Semester.
I learned to facilitate learning via class discussions & writing
workshops.
I was also responsible, as an educator, for the learning of every
student.
I learned to provide feedback on an individual basis during the
workshops.
I learned to frame the feedback in a productive manner, in order
to prevent students from feeling alienated due to the vulnerable
nature associated with analyzing your peers writing.
I collaborated with Dr. Campbell and Susan Malinoski, co-teacher,
on weekly reading discussion prompts that facilitated meaningful
reflection on the assigned texts.

(Scholarship) What does it mean to take a

curricular focused approach to school case
studies?

Publication
Presentations

(Scholarship) What does it mean to take a

curricular focused approach to school case
studies?
Publication
In collaboration with Dr. Eric Lassiter
and fellow-doctoral students I
published a scholarly article:
Walden, Harley (2014). Book
review: The seeds we planted:
Portraits of a native hawaiian
charter school. Oral History
Review, 41 (2), p. 398-400.

(Scholarship) What does it mean to take a

curricular focused approach to school case
studies?
Publication
In collaboration with Dr. Eric Lassiter
and Dr. Elizabeth Campbell, I
published a scholarly article:
Walden, Harley (2015). Book
review: Why rural schools matter.
International Studies in Sociology
of Education , 25 (3), p. 1-3.

(Scholarship) What does it mean to take a

curricular focused approach to school case
studies?
Presentations
In conjunction with faculty members and fellow
doctoral students, I conducted one national and two
international scholarly and professional presentations:
25th Annual International Conference on College
Teaching and Learning
The Use of Digitized Archives and Common Core
Standards in Social Studies Classrooms
Welcome to Charm School: Master Concepts,
Earn Charms
38th Annual Appalachian Studies Conference
Miners and Mentors: Memory and Experiences
in Coal Camp Schools in Appalachia

(Research) What are the different roles of

education in Appalachia and what does it mean to
be educated here?
Research
CI 706: Multicultural/Diversity Issues (Summer 2013) w/Dr.
Nega Debela
Out of bounds: A Case Study for the Cross-Cultural
Expectations of the American College Experience
CI 704: Social and Political Determinants of Curriculum
Development (Spring 2015) w/Dr. Nega Debela
Teachers Feelings of Efficacy and Value in Curriculum
and Policy Change: How Teachers View Their Self Worth and
Effectiveness in
the Eyes of Others

(Conclusion) What are the implications of

carrying out a historically-focused dissertation
within the framework of an Ed.D. program?

Historicallyfocused
dissertation
within the
framework of
the Ed.D.
Program via a
case study of a
coal camp
school
in Appalachia
and its
surrounding
community.

(Conclusion) What are the implications of

carrying out a historically-focused dissertation
within the framework of an Ed.D. program?

We do not learn
from experience...
we learn from
reflecting on
experience.
~ John Dewey

(Conclusion) What are the implications of

carrying out a historically-focused dissertation
within the framework of an Ed.D. program?

With much appreciation and gratitude

toward my committee:
Eric Lassiter, Ph. D., Committee Chair
Lisa Heaton, Ph. D.
Elizabeth Campbell, Ph. D.
Clyde Ellis, Ph. D.
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www.harleywaldendocportfolio.weebly.c